| glers think the Catfish is an ugly beast, and | | | | water in its search for food. It's best not to fish |
| perhaps they're right, but no one who has ever | | | | close to any snags, however, as its virtually |
| caught one thinks this way. | | | | impossible to keep a catfish out of them on its |
| A truly extraordinary animal, no freshwater fish in | | | | first, extremely powerful run |
| Britain would fight harder, but yet, on the bank | | | | To Tackle up for a Catfish adventure: |
| they are the most docile of creatures and can be | | | | The absolute basic tackle required for fishing for |
| handled by even a child. Give catfishing a try, you | | | | catfish in Britain is a rod of at least 11ft with a 11 |
| won't regret it... | | | | 2 Test Curve, sporting a nice through action, A |
| Catfish Territory | | | | good quality reel with a fixed spool, loaded with at |
| Catfish live in only about 50 waters in England, | | | | least 10 - 12lb line, and chemically sharpened |
| most of which hold only very small stocks. Nearly | | | | forged hooks size 4-1/0. Buzzer bars and an |
| all of the best catfish venues for the beginner, | | | | electronic bite alarm will complete your set-up. |
| ones with large stocks of catfish of all sizes up to | | | | Smelly Baits are best |
| 30lb, are in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire & | | | | Good baits for catfish are 5-10cm live or dead |
| Hertfordshire. Anyone wishing to start catfishing | | | | fish. Livebaits are best hooked through the top lip |
| and learning the techniques would have a much | | | | or the root of the tail. Dead fish are best |
| better chance of success by joining clubs | | | | mounted so the hook is near the middle of the |
| specialising in this species, like The Leighton | | | | bait, with the point facing the tail, as catfish usually |
| Buzzard Angling Club. Membership with them gives | | | | pick up deadbaits head first. Pieces of liver and |
| you access to three of the countries top waters, | | | | squid are also excellent baits, in fact, anything that |
| Clayton Lakes near Winslow in Buckinghamshire: | | | | smells meaty or fishy could be used, always try |
| Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire: and at | | | | to match the hook size to the bait size, and be |
| Tiddenfoot pit and & Rackley Hills. | | | | careful to ensure that the hook point is exposed. |
| Claydon Lakes: | | | | You invariably miss the bite if you bury the hook |
| Deffinately the best place to start, holds a large | | | | point |
| number of catfish, quite snag free and probably | | | | To Strike and Play |
| the easiest water in the country. Beware of the | | | | Catfish will drop the bait if they feel any |
| word easy though, catfishing is extremely slow | | | | resistance so light indicators and an open bail arm |
| fishing and you'd have to be prepared to put in a | | | | are essential. When you get a run, strike |
| lot of your time to catch very few fish. Catfish | | | | immediatly to prevent deep hooking, and strike |
| tend to go a long time between meals. Unlike | | | | firmly, as a catfish has a tough mouth. Make sure |
| most freshwater fish, a catfish has a true | | | | you are able to give line immediately, as catfish |
| stomach. It fills its stomach when it does feed, | | | | fight incredibly hard and are impossible to hold. |
| then lies up for a long time while it slowly digests | | | | You can give line by backwinding, but the |
| its meal. Only by putting in the rod hours can you | | | | tremendous speed of the catfish can make this |
| be sure of having a baited hook in the water | | | | very difficult. The best way to give line is to have |
| when a catfish goes on a feeding spree. Night | | | | the reel open at the bail arm or use the clutch. |
| fishing isn't permitted at Claydon but this doesn't | | | | Landing and Handling |
| matter as the water is very heavily coloured and | | | | A big landing net, one with at least 40in arms is |
| the usually nocturnal cats feed well during the day. | | | | essential. Once you have got your catch safely on |
| If the water is clear in a venue, you can expect | | | | the bank, use forceps to take out the hook. Don't |
| the fish to only feed at night, rarely venturing out | | | | worry about the big gaping ugly mouth, although it |
| in the light of day. | | | | contains hundreds of tiny teeth at the front. The |
| When & Where | | | | catfish is completely harmless, you can even put |
| Like Tench, Catfish is a warm water fish, the | | | | your whole hand in its mouth without fear of |
| best time of the year to catch them is from the | | | | losing your fingers |
| beginning of the season until the end of | | | | Catfish are best contained in a purpose made |
| September. Actual choice of swim is not usually | | | | tube. When returning a cat, hold it upright in the |
| particularly important as a feeding catfish is a | | | | water until it is ready to swim away. |
| cruising predator and scavenger covering a lot of | | | | |