How to Catch Monster Catfish

When it comes to freshwater fishing, few thrills can compare to the excitement that you experience when you catch a monster catfish. Large enough to feed your family and friends alike, a monster catfish can put up a strong fight and challenge even the most experienced fisherman. The effort of reeling in one of these giants is well worth it though, due to the large bounty of fresh fish meat that the catfish produces, not to mention the savory flavor that can add body to a number of different recipes. If you’ve ever thought about angling for the big one, here are some tips to help you catch a monster catfish of your own.

Things You'll Need

• Fishing Rod and Reel
• Strong Fishing Line
• Fish Hooks
• Nylon Hose
• Stink Bait or Chicken Livers
• Ice Cream Pail with Lid
• Dry Dog Food
• Short Rope
• Pocket Knife
• Fish Stringer (unless catch and release)
• Fish Attractant Spray

Instructions

How to Catch Monster Catfish

1. Select a rod and reel to take with you on your fishing trip. Since monster catfish are typically very large and heavy, it is important to have a strong, durable fishing rod that can handle a lot of bending and stress without breaking. You should also have a decent reel on the rod, strong enough to reel in a heavy fish without stripping the line. Ideally, you will want the reel to be equipped with “100-pound test” fishing line as a minimum strength. Although you will not likely catch a catfish that weighs as much as 100 pounds, they are very strong and will exert extra pressure on the line, so the heavier gauge your fishing line, the better off you will be.

2. When you arrive at your favorite fishing spot, spray your hands with a generous coating of fish attracting spray. Catfish feed based largely on smell, and their sense of smell is very sensitive to alcohol, smoke and other normal human smells. These scents can deter a fish from accepting your bait. Applying a good coating of fish attracting spray to your hands before handling your equipment and bait can at least add an extra desirable scent to the water, increasing your chances of being able to catch a monster catfish.

3. Use your pocket knife to slice a lot of cuts into an empty ice cream pail. Or better yet, if you have a nail available, use it to poke a large number of holes in the pail. Fill the pail with dry dog food and place the lid firmly on the container. Then tie a short rope to the pail and sink it into the water in the general vicinity of where you will be fishing. The catfish will smell the dog food and be drawn to the area like a magnet. This is an especially good trick if you throw dog food into the water at this location to feed the fish on a regular basis.

4. Forget all about your fishing lures. Catfish are nearly blind and do not hunt for food visually, they use scent. If you really want to catch a monster catfish, then its time to get smelly and use some good ol’ stink bait. Another popular treat to catch catfish is raw chicken liver. You can acquire either of these baits at a bait shop. They are next to impossible to keep on the hook alone. Use your pocket knife to cut off a small piece for your hook, then wrap it tightly in a piece of women’s nylon stocking and tie if off. You can the put the bait on the hook without it falling off.

5. Catfish usually prefer to stay near the bank, where the water is shaded and cool. The ideal fishing scenario to catch a monster catfish would be to use a boat and to cast towards the shore. If a boat is not available to you, simply stand on the bank and cast your line slightly down stream. Try to aim for a shaded location, 3-4 feet out from the edge of the water.

6. When you have completed your day of fishing, use the rope to pull in the ice cream pail that you had previously filled with dog food and sunk. Open the lid and pour the dog food into the water and allow the fish to feed on what is left. This will help insure that they recognize the scent as food, making it more likely to attract them on future visits.

Tips & Warnings

• In addition to other baits that are known for bringing in monster catfish, the fish seem to also be unable to resist Kentucky Fried Chicken. If your other baits aren’t working, see what a piece of fried chicken will do.