Blue catfish, channel catfish, and flathead catfish are the most popular species of catfish in the United States for fishermen. They are available throughout the southern and eastern parts of the country, as well as in the lower Midwest, and in particular areas west of the Rockies. Catfish are virtually omnivores, but there is no doubt that bait is the best thing to use when fishing for large catfish. Following are techniques for catching the three main fished-for species of catfish.
Fishing for Channel Catfish
Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) live throughout the Eastern, Southern, and Midwestern United States, inhabiting rivers, ponds, lakes, reservoirs, and other warm water areas. Although they may be caught on such baits as sausages, hot dogs, chicken livers, and other household meats, cut fish is probably the best bait for these fish. Catfish are not picky, so even packaged, frozen bait will usually work.
Cut bait is best mainly because it is very durable, and will not fall off of the hook as easy as would, say, a hot dog. Cut fish also has oils that the catfish can detect, and it draws them from afar to the source of the smell. Cut shad or panfish works well for channel cats, as bream are some of the larger fish's natural baits. Using a strong hook, such as a 2/0 circle hook, and some kind of weight, set a couple of feet up the line from the hooked bait, is the best setup to throw into catfish territory. A stout rod, and heavy line, such as 20 lb test or stronger is also necessary, as, although they average much smaller, channel catfish grow to over 50 lbs.
Fishing for Blue Catfish
Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) are found primarily in the Eastern and Midwestern United States, and they grow to around 125 lbs. These fish are top predators, eating any smaller fish, crustaceans, insects, and frogs or small mammals that they can catch, as well as clams and other freshwater bivalves. Chicken livers and cut fish are some of the best baits to use for blue catfish, and as always, stout tackle is required. Heavyweight rods with reels that can handle 20 lb test line and higher is necessary.
Weighting chunks of cut fish or raw chicken, and casting them into deeper spots in slow rivers and lakes is probably the best way to go about catching these fish. Since blue catfish are not picky, they will follow their nose and eat just about whatever it leads them to, and that is why cut bait is as good a bait as any, and easier to manage than live bait.
Flathead Catfish Fishing Techniques
Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) get just about as large as blue cats, but they are generally longer and more slim (not as fat) as blues. Flathead catfish live in deep areas in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, and in the deeper waters of rivers, throughout the American Southeast and Midwest. Flatheads, however, are harder to catch on bait than the other species of catfish. They generally prefer live prey, whereas channel and blue catfish have no problem following the scent of rotting meat to its source, and engulfing it. But like most other species of catfish, flatheads will eat a number of foods, from baitfish and panfish to crustaceans, worms, and insects.
Live shad or other fish may represent the best baits for these catfish, and when fishing for flatheads with live bait, it is best if the bait is suspended just off of the bottom in deep waters. Hooking live bait through the mouth, just above the eyes, or in front of the dorsal fin is best, and a drop shot rig, which includes a weight at the end of the line (which rests on the bottom) and the bait tied a few feet above that works well. Using a Carolina rig, with a hefty bait hook, heavier weight, and baitfish instead of a lure works well, too. Any technique that puts a live fish near the bottom in deeper water is a nice approach. As always, stout rods, hefty reels with heavy line, and strong hooks are necessary.
Catfish are common in many freshwater locations throughout the United States, and they are about as easy to catch as any type of fish. Fishing for catfish is not too difficult. All that is usually required when fishing for these fish is rigging, casting, and waiting, and unlike fishing for other fish, it is just as easy to catch catfish at night as it is in the day.
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