How to Make a Catfish Noodle

Fishermen often use more than one catfish noodle for baiting.

Bait for multiple fish at once using catfish noodles. A catfish noodle is a floating bait-unit that holds a line, bait and sinker. The noodle floats in a river and lets the baited line hang down a few feet towards the river bottom. When a fish bits the bait, the noodle is grabbed and the fish is brought to shore or on the boat by hand. Build your own catfish noodle using PVC pipe and foam tubing. Five-inch thick foam tubing that is a bright color will keep the noodle afloat and visible.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• 2 PVC end caps, 3/4-inch
• Drill
• Drill bit, 1/8-inch
• Eye-bolt, 1/8-by-2 inches, with nut
• PVC pipe, 3/4-by-15 inches
• Foam tube, 1/2-inch hole, 5-by-10 inches
• PVC epoxy

Instructions

1. Drill a 1/8-inch hole through the 3/16-inch center of one of the end caps. Insert the eye-bolt through the hole so the "eye" is is on the outside of the cap.

2. Insert the 3/4-inch pipe through your foam tube so the foam is centered on the pipe 2 1/2 inches away from the ends of the pipe.

3. Glue the end caps on to the pipe using your PVC epoxy. Let the glue dry according to the instructions on the container.

4. Tie your bait line and sinkers to the eye-bolt and let your catfish noodle float in the area that you're trying to catch fish. Fish are biting your line when the noodle is in a vertical position in the water.

Tips & Warnings

• Check on local laws and regulations for baiting fish with catfish noodles.

References

• PVC Workshop: How To Cut And Glue PVC Pipe
• Jug Fishing: White Pool Noodles

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Learn To Catch Fish: Pool Noodle Rig For Catfishing