How to Catch Catfish

Catfish have seasonal migration patterns. Learn their habits and you'll find your own "big cat."

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fish Nets
• Baits
• Fish Lures
• Fishhooks
• Fishing Poles
• Fishing Reels

1. Talk to the local fishery's biologist to find out the spawning time in your area.

2. Look for rocky structures for possible spawning sites.

3. Study a topographical map for underwater structures or contours on the bottom of a lake that are attractive to catfish.

4. Study local bait fish and their habits.

5. Use bait such as night crawlers, shrimp, shad, chicken liver or minnows.

6. Float bait at various depths to find the feeding area.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you find a good spawning ground, fish there for the next four to six weeks. Different breeds of catfish spawn at different times.
• The warmer the water, the shallower the catfish will be. In clear water they tend to stay in deeper water.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!

[snakehead]

on 9/3/2009 when fishing for catfish try using shrimp liver catfish blood or chicken blood

[bobstope]

on 3/17/2009 So how exactly do you do the ivory soap method?

[CatfishinMan]

on 12/27/2008 My bait of choice for catching big catfish is live perch, bluegill, or gizzard shad-check your local regs on live baits. To catch just any catfish cut gizzard shad, herring, threadfin shad whole (3), and hotdogs work really well. Gary, check out www.catfishingproducts.com

[wytetyger059]

on 9/26/2008 Good tips. I used squid a lot. Never heard of using ivory soap, but I'll try anything once. Liver sacks definitely work.

[abkilla]

on 6/16/2007 Using Ivory Soap-Go to your local store and get a bar or 2 os Ivory Soap and let it sit out for two or three days til' you go fish and trust me I caught 10-40 pounders on that.Also, Try it on trotlines I once caught a 55-pound shovelhead on that stuff! No Lie