What is the best fishing rig for catfish?
The egg sinker slip rig is, hands down, the most popular rig for still fishing catfish. Consisting of an egg sinker on the main line held in place above the hook by a lead shot, this rig is ideal for keeping the bait near the bottom, which in turn, allows a catfish to swim off with the bait with little tension.
What is the best bait for catfish in a river?
- #1. Nightcrawler. First on the list is the ubiquitous nightcrawler, favored food for all fish species.
- #2. Gizzard Shad.
- #3. White Suckers.
- #4. Skipjack Herring.
- #5. Stinkbait.
- #7. Bluegills.
- #8. Punchbait.
- #9. Chicken Livers.
How do you rig a line for catfish?
Should I use a bobber for catfish?
When catfishing with these techniques the sound of the float hitting the water helps draw in fish and gets them to strike. Using a streamlined float that doesn’t make a good “splash” in the water would actually work against you so the traditional bobber rig is preferred.
What size hook is best for catfish?
A number two hook is a good size treble for very large catfish and the largest you want to go with. A number 6 hook is a reliable, standard size. You might use the number 8 if you’re looking for smaller cats. Trebles are ideal for punch baits and dip baits.
How long should a catfish rig be?
If you’re using a standard hair stop then the length should be 1.5 times the diameter of the baits.
What weight should a catfish rig be?
How long is a catfish leader?
Twelve to eighteen inches is a good general length and is preferred by most anglers. The longer the leader the more a fish can move with your bait without you feeling it and the more the bait will move around in the water.
Where do catfish hide in rivers?
- Outside Edges of River Curves.
- Deep Holes in Ponds and Rivers.
- Creeks Flowing Into Any Body of Water.
Where do big catfish hide in rivers?
These areas usually form deep, mysterious holes with funky currents, a perfect spot for a catfish to hang out and sniff its next meal. Our second favorite spot to find big catfish in rivers is in the deep scoured out heads of pools, and holes in rivers.
What time of day do catfish bite the most?
The best time of day to catch catfish is from sunrise until 10 am. This time window is before the sun gets directly overhead and water temperatures are still cool from the evening prior. Catfish will be more active as they seek to feed before the overhead sun warms the water and prey fish seek cover.
Should the sinker be above or below the hook?
Attach the sinker about 2 ft (0.61 m) above the hook. Leaving space between the sinker and hook helps your bait float up so it’s more visible to fish. Measure up from the top of your hook and pinch the line so you don’t lose your place. Positioning your sinker much higher on your line may make it difficult to cast.
What is the best time to go catfishing?
Late March, April, and early May are some of the best blue catfish fishing of the year for numbers of fish and also offers excellent opportunities for trophy class catfish as well. Channel catfish action is typically excellent and very consistent also.
Are catfish more active at night?
Myth: Catfish are more active at night. Fact: Catfish are active at all hours of the day and night, this includes all three species of catfish. Catfish can easily be caught throughout the day regardless of the season. Catfish eat when they are hungry, not when it gets dark.
What pound test line should I use for catfish?
Catfish aren’t line-shy, so you can use light or heavy fishing line as situations dictate. High-strength, small-diameter monofilaments testing 15 to 25 pounds are good inexpensive choices for all-round use, but when hunting the big boys, you may have to upgrade to 30-, 40-, even 80-pound-test.
Should I fish on the bottom for catfish?
As versatile and effective as drift and float rigs often are, many catfishing situations call for live or dead bait still fished on the bottom. The most popular bottom rig for all species of catfish is the egg sinker slip rig.
How deep should I fish for catfish?
Conclusion. The best depth for catching catfish is between 15 and 20 feet deep in lakes. This is known as the catfish zone because they reside within such depths in most lakes. However, depending on the time of the year and the temperature of the water, they can also reside in shallow areas.
How do you catch big catfish in a river?
What colors do catfish see?
Based on the research that I did, channel catfish are visual predators. Their eyes focus mostly on greens and blues because those colors stand out in most water conditions.
Are circle hooks better for catfish?
Using circle hooks for catfish can result in more hook-ups and reduce mortality of caught-and-released fish. If you had checked the end of a catfisherman’s line just 20 years ago, you might have found almost any type of hook tied on.
Do catfish like deep or shallow water?
Catfish will hold on any kind of bottom, from rocks to mud, but seem to have a preference for hard bottoms, including those of clay or gravel. The depth of water can be critical. In winter and summer, catfish hold in the deepest water that has enough oxygen to support them, searching for temperatures in the mid-70s.
What bait do you use for catfish?
Worms are classic catfish bait. Okay, they’re classic everything bait. They perform well suspended under bobbers or resting on the bottom behind a sinker. They’ll catch catfish in creeks, rivers, ponds or reservoirs.
Do you need a leader line for catfish?
Catfish leader line also serves as a “shock absorber” when a catfish strikes. This absorbs the force of aggressive strikes from big catfish. That shock absorption is important with mono and braid but due to the lack of stretch in braided fishing line you should always use a monofilament leader.
What weight should I use for river fishing?
In general, you should use a lighter weight sinker in shallower water, and deeper water requires heavier weight. For shallow water, a ⅛-ounce weight works well to create a slow-falling lure action. In deeper water that is up to 20 feet, it’s best to use between ¼ to ⅜-ounce sinker weights.