| I first started fishing catfish in my early childhood | | | | As far as hooks go I have always just used a |
| with my dad and though I have caught some | | | | smooth, medium sized hook, with no barbells on it. |
| Blue, and Flathead Catfish, Channel Catfish have | | | | Catfish have very tough skin and I rarely loose a |
| always been my main target. I primarily fish them | | | | catfish after I have hooked them so you won't |
| in the Snake and St.Croix Rivers and sometimes | | | | need a trebble hook or any special kind of hook |
| the Mississippi too. Wherever I can find a little | | | | for Catfishing. Before I put my hook on I always |
| nook and cranny where the current isn't so fast | | | | just slide one slip sinker on with the size of it |
| there always seem to be catfish hiding looking for | | | | going by how fast the river current is, and then |
| some fresh bait. Catfish can also be found | | | | one clip on sinker or a swivel to keep your sinker |
| wherever you can find a rocky bottom to. | | | | away from your bait. I like to put the sinker |
| The best time to catch catfish is usually after | | | | about 2 feet away from the bait so your bait can |
| dark until early morning right before the sun | | | | float and move around in the river current. |
| comes up, and they always seem to be the most | | | | One last Catfishing tip I will give you here is in |
| active around a full moon. Catfish also like to hang | | | | filleting them correctly. This is very important if |
| out in holes where the water is a little deeper. | | | | you want to get the best flavor out of your |
| Again, anywhere the current is a little slower and | | | | Catfish. I will put the Catfish on its stomach and |
| a place where food might gather is great place to | | | | then start with the tip of the knife right behind its |
| find catfish. | | | | head next to its spine and then slowly start slicing |
| Some other Catfish Fishing tips that I have used | | | | downwards until the fillet comes off. Then just |
| over the years are how I rig my pole. Now this is | | | | cut your fillet off the skin. Now this part most of |
| fairly basic. I like to use a medium sized pole | | | | you probably already know as it is the same as |
| about 7 to 8 feet long with about 17 to 20 pound | | | | most other fish. This is the important part. After |
| test line. Some prefer 50 or 60 pound test but | | | | you have your fillet in front of you there will be a |
| the lighter line has always worked best for me | | | | yellowish strip running down the middle of the |
| because I have found it is just easier to deal with | | | | meat with a little bit of red on top of the fillet. |
| when tying hooks or getting your line out of | | | | This needs to be cut out or your Catfish will taste |
| snags. The main reason I use a lighter line is that | | | | mushy and lose a lot of its flavor so don't forget. |
| your catfish is much less likely to notice any | | | | I also like to cut the head meat out of the larger |
| friction with lighter line compared to a heavier line. | | | | ones usually at least 15 pounds, this is the whitest |
| I like to fight the fish a little too, with a heavier | | | | and best part of the Catfish. And prepare some |
| line its to easy just to drag the fish in which I | | | | homemade tartar sauce for a great meal with |
| believe takes the sport and excitement out of it. | | | | the whole family. |