“Here kitty, kitty”

With spring now in full swing, the fishing opportunities are also beginning to blossom. Many species of fish are in a pre-spawn pattern. This is a perfect time of year for anglers of all types and skill levels to get out and have a successful day fishing for catfish in our many rivers and reservoirs. They are a fun fish to catch and are great table fare as well. Along with being widespread and sustainable, catfish can be targeted with several techniques.

Choosing where to fish - There are a few things to look for in small rivers and streams. First and foremost, cover and structure. These are always important when fishing for almost anything. Small rivers and streams can be broken down into 3 sections when fishing. Riffles, holes, and runs. Holes are the main target zone for catfish in a stream or river. They are formed just below a riffle and can continue for several yards before giving way to a run or flat. Holes catch dead and living bait as it moves downstream with the current. Most cats will be taking advantage of that constant supply of food and hang out in the holes. Along with holes, snags and log jams are also great places to target. They offer cover and protection for baitfish which in turn, brings in the cats.

Baits - When choosing baits for cats, anglers are faced with many options. So many artificial baits are out there and some work. The old adage, “match the hatch” holds true with catfishing. Natural, local, and fresh cut bait like creek chubs, suckers, shad, bluegill, skipjack, and carp are some of the best choices for cut baits. The fresher the better. Attractant baits are a very popular option for the catfish angler. However, these types of baits typically do not last as long on your hook in the water as a cut bait will. They are a good choice if you do not have the time to catch your own bait before your trip. Live baits are another good choice for catfish. Again, the best choice for live baits is local and natural forage. You can also count on a big wad of night crawlers to bring in a few fish.

Gear and rigging - There are countless choices for gear and techniques out there today. Deadline fishing- is probably the most familiar way of fishing for catfish. The most common way is to choose a weight for the current or depth you are going to be fishing in, attached to your mainline. Followed by a bead then tied to a swivel. The bead helps prevent the weight from beating up your knot. From the swivel, attach a piece of leader line. I tend to use monofilament that is at least 10 pounds lighter in strength than my mainline. Using a 3/0 or 4/0 circle hook is going to allow you to be able to hook your bait and catch fish of many different sizes. Drift fishing - This technique can be applied from a boat or from the bank the same as dead lining. Drift fishing uses a float or “bobber” to help suspend a bait at a certain depth in the water column while drifting through a targeted area. Bumping - This technique is best suited to be used when fishing from a boat. It works well on big bodies of water. You are basically dead lining while moving. Drop your bait straight down at the edge of your boat until it hits the bottom. When it makes contact with the bottom, make 3-5 cranks of your reel handle and then allow your craft to flow with the current and work your rod tip up and down. You can do this on still bodies of water as well by slowly trolling thru the targeted area. There are many more tricks, tips, and techniques when it comes to catfishing. These are just a few that most any angler can enjoy and use relatively easy. Always leave a place cleaner than you found it and Take a kid fishing!!!

Article by Thunder Hawk. Instagram- @THUNDER_HAWK_88