Tips on your catfishin

[master_angler11]

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If you are fishing a tidal body of water, wait until the tide is rising, you can also fish when tide is falling, but only until the water level hits about halfway between low and high tide water marks. I have found that fishing at low tide is not very productive.
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If you are fishing for channel catfish or bullheads, try chicken liver. Chicken liver is fairly inexpensive and catfish seem to love it.
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Use a rod holder because I have found that holding the rod gets tiring when you are fishing for long amounts of time.
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Catfish will "mouth" the bait (feel the bait in it's mouth to see if it is food), this will look like a strike but it usually not. While it is possible to set the hook while the catfish "mouths" the bait, I have found the it is better to let the fish "mouth" it a few times and then set the hook.
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For small channel cats and bullheads I usually use a size 4 to 2/0 snelled baitholder (Eagle Claw) hook connected to the main line by a 20 lb. test swivel. Above the swivel I put an egg or bullet sinker. I try to match the sinker size with the water conditions, i.e. For calm water I use anywhere from a 1/4 ounce weight to 1/2 ounce weight. For water with a quicker current, I would suggest sinker with a weight between 3/4 to 1- 1/4 ounce.
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As for other tackle and equipment, I would suggest a medium action fiberglass rod (graphite rods are great for trout and bass but I prefer a stiffer fiberglass because it gives you more hook setting power) for most small catfish, but heavy action rods are better suited if you are going after larger catfish in rivers or large bodies of water. As for line, line test is a matter of personal preference. I personally like 8-12 lb line for 1-6 lb catfish because I get a better feel with the lighter line, my friend likes using 20 lb. line because snags are not as much of a problem with the heavy line. Remember catfish love snaggy and rocky bottoms, whatever line test you decide to use make sure it is a quality line and is abrasion resistant, cheap lines can save some money but nothing is worse than losing a big catfish.
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Buy a cheap knife if you are going to use cut bait because chicken liver and other cut baits have a way to ruin knives, especially pocket knives.
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Always keep your hooks sharp and check your line for any frayed portions.
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Catch fish. GL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hope it helped

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Nice info thanks

[master_angler11]

Lol you must be the only one that looks at my tips, i think there good.. i dont know about any 1 else.

[plarkerhe]

Thanks for your advise.
You mentioned almost every thing the only thing I wanted to add
is that ,in order to get a cat fish you must start fishing before the sun has raised.

[master_angler11]

Originally Posted by plarkerhe

Thanks for your advise.
You mentioned almost every thing the only thing I wanted to add
is that ,in order to get a cat fish you must start fishing before the sun has raised.

Haha, that's the way I go, Catfishin all night, and no sleep, beer all night, and sleep all day.

[Portland Pirate]

No Need for night sessions on the Ebro.

You can catch from dawn till dusk. Tactics are very different too. You need to use big leads to hold in the big waters sometimes. After snow melt or good rains you need over a 1lb of lead just to hold bottom.

[master_angler11]

Originally Posted by Portland Pirate

No Need for night sessions on the Ebro.

You can catch from dawn till dusk. Tactics are very different too. You need to use big leads to hold in the big waters sometimes. After snow melt or good rains you need over a 1lb of lead just to hold bottom.

Ya.. That's very true, Im just saying how I would rather do it. Your 80% better chances fishing in the night, and catching rather larger fish. So.. It would make sense.

[links03rjean]

hey thanks for the info...i'll tell my dad on your tips. maybe it will or this time.