Catching catfish generally doesn’t involve any special lures or fancy techniques. Catfish are known to bite on almost anything edible as long as it catches their attention. Catfish spend most of their time hiding in murky waters, making them hard to spot. They spawn near underwater structures such as logs and rocks so in order to be prepared to find the ideal spots for fishing it helps to study a map of the lake or river you will be visiting.
Catfish are primarily bottom-feeders but many fishermen have shared anecdotal evidence that suggests that success can be achieved by fishing at differing depths. Fishing for catfish in warm water will be more successful by concentrating on shallow water. It is a good general rule to always avoid very clear water completely.
To guarantee a great catfish fishing trip, you should find out where they are spawning. Keep returning to the spot for four to six weeks because different species of catfish will often use the same spot for breeding at separate times.
Catfish can be caught with what seems like just about anything. Store-bought types of bait such as stinkbait, lures, worms, minnows and crickets work for many fishermen, but others prefer to make their own bait. When talking to any avid catfish angler there is nothing that he or she will be more adamant about than the integrity and potency of whatever homemade concoction that they use to catch catfish. Many anglers recognize that the worst-smelling baits are usually the best so it is not unusual to see them preparing their concoctions that consist of chicken livers marinating in fish guts and water out in the hot sun to use on their next trip to the lake. Other use blenders to mix foul-smelling concoctions used to bait their hooks in order to hopefully land large catfish. It seems that half of the trick to catching catfish is getting their attention. Catfish are known to attempt to eat many things that catch their eye and just spit them out when they realize that the item cannot be swallowed.
Homemade baits can be used on a treble hook or a bait tube. Smear the smelly concoction over or in the bait as much as possible. Baits are typically made with a doughy consistency to help them adhere to the lure. Carolina Rigs are very popular for catfish as well. This kind of bait is easy for catfish to notice and is rigged to allow slack between the sinker and the bait. This works well because it keeps the catfish from spitting the bait and lure back out right away from feeling the resistance on the line.
A general rule of thumb when fishing for catfish is the cast your line out and drag it deep when reeling it in. Try working the bait up shallower if you have not had success at the very bottom. Adjust the depth of your lures accordingly until you are able to find where the catfish are feeding.