How to Read a River for Catfish
Blood-red River Catfish
Channel catfish are i of the most underrated species to target. Not only do they put up an incredible fight, but they are also one of the best options for new anglers or anglers on a budget. The gear is affordable, the technique is simple, and the reward is incredible.
Personally, catfishing is something I take only experienced a few times. However, each and every fourth dimension I have experienced information technology I've never been dissapointed. In fact, my last experience has been one of the all-time ones yet.
This time, my friend Hannah and I went with 1 of the virtually renowned catfishing guides in the midwest: Brad Durrick of Brad Durrick Outdoors.
Not only did nosotros get on a hot catfish bite, but nosotros learned how to get bays catfish anglers from the comfort of our backyard.
Whether y'all are a beginning-timer or a seasoned angler, catfishing is an awesome opportunity for anyone to endeavor. Below nosotros are going to get through gear, location, presentation, and the tactics you need to be successful in landing the catfish of a lifetime – fifty-fifty equally a beginner.
ABOUT CHANNEL CatFISH
There are multiple unlike variations of Catfish. In North America, in that location are Flatheads, Channel Cats, and Blue Cats. Being we are local to the Red River, we specifically target the Channel Cats, which are the merely catfish species that reside hither. Compared to many parts of the country, Channel Catfish (although the smallest of the species) in this area still go very large, with 20 to 30-pound fish beingness relatively common.
However, they CAN get much, much bigger than that. In fact, the record Aqueduct Catfish is 58-lbs defenseless Due south Carolina.
Catfish are also notorious bottom feeders, but they tin can feed at the surface every bit well. Annihilation that stinks can get their attention but you'll find bait such as suckers, shrimp, chicken, and shad common options that we will breakdown below.
Equally for timing, the best fourth dimension to target catfish on the Red River is from May through Oct. Warm water and active metabolisms increase the catfish feeding period – making this the perfect time to hit the water.
Below we breakdown all of these specifics helping y'all on your way to landing your own trophy catfish.
CATFISH GEAR
When you are targeting a fish as tough as the catfish, it's important that your gear is tough besides. That's why we are going through exactly what y'all should await for when choosing a rod and reel that fit both your goals and your budget.
Catfish Rod & Reel
Rod variations can get complicated, then we are going to focus on 3 significant factors you should consider when shopping for your offset catfish rod. These are:
- Length
- Power
- Action
Of class, picking the material is also important, but for nearly people – picking textile simply means picking the price. For most people wanting to enjoy catfishing, y'all don't need to go expensive. Grab a budget rod and reel and information technology will correlate with the material all-time suited for your cost point.
Rod Length
Rod length is going to be the first factor we demand to consider. By and large, the longer the meliorate. Nigh "Catfish" specific rods will come in that 7′ to viii′ range – allowing for casting altitude and fishing off the side. If yous can find a two-piece rod that can become even longer – and so practice it! Length gives you both room to move abroad from the boat, casting distance to hitting those perfect spots and extra leverage to reel in those massive channel cats.
Rod Power
Adjacent is ability. For simplicity, a rods power rating is really only how stiff the backbone of the rod is. A lighter rod volition allow for a amend fight, while a heavier rod will back up a heavier fish. That'southward why for most catfishing endeavors, a medium to medium-heavy rod setup is going to be perfect. Not simply volition having a perfect ability amend your overall experience, but you'll as well exist able to reel-in without adding to much extra stress on the fish.
Rod Activeness
Next is rod action. Rod activeness is where the rod starts to curve. One of the biggest factors to consider hither is what type of claw/presentation you programme on using. As you will find out, we recommend using a circle hook equally a catfishing staple. Therefore, a lilliputian extra flex in the rod can help the fish choice up the hook and run with information technology. Too potent of a rod doesn't work well with hooking a fish. That'south why in well-nigh circumstances a moderate-fast to fast action rod is an platonic setup for catfish.
What to Look For in a Reel
Finally, let's talk about what to expect for in an ideal catfish reel. I'll offset by maxim both a baitcasting and spinning reel will work but fine. They just demand to be large plenty to handle a spool full of 30 lb braid. Spinning reels are great for shore and distance casting while baitcasting reels provide better retrieving speed and a more than sophisticated elevate organization for reeling in those monster fish.
If yous haven't used a bait pulley before, I almost always recommend using a spinning reel instead.
Withal, if you lot are on a budget and have any sort of 30/300/3000 series reel or greater, then you lot are going to exist OK. If it's not in your upkeep, don't purchase information technology. Whether it'south a spincast, bait caster, or spinning reel, you can brand information technology work for true cat line-fishing as long as information technology's large enough.
If you don't target fish that accomplish such a large size, then your gear doesn't demand to exist as big, yet, big or small-scale, catfish fight hard. Therefore, nigh people will take to do a petty upgrading before making their first trip. Brand sure you research your local area to understand a little flake of the size distribution of catfish there.
Yous are going to want AT Least xxx/300/3000 series reel in nearly channel cat instances. If you lot are in big fish country, then bigger won't injure at all either.
Use a Combo
Finally, ane of the easiest ways to buy the right setup, at the best price, is to simply buy the combo. In summary, look for a vii′ to 8′ rod, with medium power, and moderate-fast to fast activity bed, and a reel that can handle big line and big fish. Popular rods with these specs include:
- Ugly Stick Catfish Spinning Philharmonic: A medium-heavy, moderate-fast activeness rod with a spinning reel
- Berkley Large Game Baitcast Philharmonic: A medium-heavy bait casting combo
- Abu Garcia Catfish Commando Spinning Combo: A medium-heavy, moderate-fast action rod with a spinning reel
Whatever of these options, and rods like, volition exist perfect setups for your fourth dimension on the h2o.
Line & Hinge
Next, permit's talk near the line. Your line needs to be heavy and tough – meaning in most cases yous are going to desire to take a heavy poundage braided line. Brad was specifically gear up with a 30-pound braid, a butt swivel, and a matching xxx lb fluorocarbon leader. This is platonic if you are chasing catfish that can oft exceed xx pounds in size.
Even so, one of the biggest (and unique) tips he shared was calculation a plastic protector above the swivel. This helped keep the weight from constantly beating up on the knot and therefore increasing reliability in the entire setup. A more reliable setup ways more than fish in the boat.
CATFISH BAIT AND PRESENTATION
Presentation
The presentation is unproblematic. Most people will find success using a flat weight, circle hook, and bait of pick. If this sounds familiar, it's because information technology's a VERY common setup for sturgeon fishing (or targeting any bottom feeder, such equally a sucker) as well.
The size of the apartment weight will completely depend on the depth and current of the body of h2o you are fishing. Patently the faster the electric current and higher the water, the heavier the weight. The key is to simply make certain that the weight holds to the bottom. Don't exist afraid to endeavor out dissimilar weights to make certain information technology stays in contact. In many cases, a 5-ounce weight will do the trick.
Next is to sympathize the circle claw. Just like with sturgeon angling, in that location is NO HOOKSET here. I know it'south instinctive, but don't do it. When a fish runs, the hook sets itself. This allows y'all to reel it in confidently, while also helping reduce the stress on the fish.
At that place are a variety of circle hook sizes, even so, a 5/0 or half-dozen/0 size claw volition work just fine.
Setup forth a pigsty, throw your allurement down, and wait.
Recommended items:
- 30 lb braid
- Fluorocarbon Leader (cut a 18 to 24″ leader length)
- Butt Swivel
- Plastic Hinge Protector
- Flat Weight
- Circle Hook (size v/0 or 6/0)
- Bait – suckers, liver, shrimp
Of course, if y'all reside somewhere that isn't known for its xx lb + catfish, then a lighter line would be fine. If you are on a budget, don't be afraid to use what you have.
Bait
I've used a multifariousness of bait catfishing before, including shrimp, sucker, and liver. Cut bait, alive bait, and artificial bait will all work. Still, brad stayed dedicated to using sucker every bit allurement. In fact, he had both live and frozen suckers ready to go. Anything he didn't apply this time, he froze for the side by side.
Suckers run in the leap and are therefore easy to detect and store for allurement for the rest of the season.
Cut it upward into small pieces and add information technology to the cease of your circle hook.
THE BEST LOCATIONS TO FIND CATFISH
The near important factor when catching whatsoever fish is to empathise fish behavior and location. Luckily, with catfish, it's simple:
- Fallen trees and snag piles
- Holes on the inside and outside of the river
- Holes with Snag Piles in it
Brad too recommends not sitting in a spot for more than a half an hour.
If you are shore line-fishing, this will be more than challenging. Nonetheless, if you haven't noticed any signs of life after a set flow of time, attempt your best to motion up and downward the depository financial institution. Sometimes a simple location change will do the trick. If you are along a torso of the water that has Navionics or LakeMaster mapping, so apply it just as yous would in a boat. Both mapping systems now accept apps for your telephone, and so be certain to download the app and meet if your map is available.
FINAL CHANNEL CATFISH TIPS
Information technology'southward easy to recollect that catfish will merely pick upwards the bait and run. Withal, that was rarely the instance during this adventure. Instead, they seemed to circle the allurement and nibble at information technology. Oft times, rushing to the rod during the showtime sign of life was a misstep. This more likely cost us a few fish.
That's why every bit previously mentioned, with circle hooks, it's better to wait it out until y'all are certain the fish is on (pregnant big, consistent rod bends).
It really is a hurry up and wait game.
If you are looking for a catfish trip of a lifetime, be sure to book your catfishing trip with Brad Durrick here.
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Source: https://www.nicolestoneoutdoors.com/blog/how-to-catch-channel-catfish/