How To Catch Catfish Like A Pro

Are you tired of returning from your fishing trips with an empty haul? Are you looking for some trophy-worthy catfish to add to your catch list? Look no further because we’ve got you covered! This blog shares expert tips and tricks to help you reel in those elusive catfish. From seasoned anglers to beginners, these tips will help you step up your fishing game and become a pro at catching catfish.

1. Know Your Catfish:

Before you head out to the lake, it’s essential to know the behavior and habits of your target fish. Catfish are notoriously lazy swimmers and tend to hang out in deep waters. They are attracted to strong smells, so using bait with a strong odor, like chicken liver or stink bait, can increase your chances of catching them. Additionally, catfish tend to feed during the early hours of the morning or late at night, so try to plan your fishing trip around these times.

2. Use The Right Gear:

Fishing for catfish requires specific gear to ensure you can catch and not lose the fish. The best rods for catfish fishing are spinning or baitcasting rods. When selecting the line, choose a 30, 40, or 50-lb. Using a uni-to-uni knot, a 2-foot Fluorocarbon leader (like Hi-Seas) tied to a 30 or 50-lb high-visibility braided mainline (like Power-Pro). You will also need to use strong and durable hooks, such as the weighted BarefootCatsandTackle.com 7/0 Catfish Circle Hook, that can handle the weight of a giant and powerful catfish.

3. Location, Location, Location:

When it comes to catfish fishing, location is key. Look for areas with deep water, rocky terrain, or logs, as these are common hiding spots for catfish. Catfish also prefer places with a strong current, so try to focus your efforts on the downstream side of dams, inlets, or other areas where water flows strongly.

4. Be Patient:

Patience is vital when it comes to fishing for catfish. While some of the tips mentioned above can certainly increase your chances of catching a fish, it’s important to remember that fishing is never guaranteed. So be prepared to wait for long periods without a catch, and try not to get discouraged. Remember, the longer you wait, the more time the catfish have to smell and find your bait.

5. Practice Catch and Release:

As with all fishing, it’s important to practice catch and release to ensure the catfish population remains healthy. If you decide to keep a fish, ensure it’s within the legal size limit and check with local regulations to ensure that you’re following the rules. Please use a de-hooker to remove the hook from the fish’s mouth safely.

Catfish fishing can be exhilarating and rewarding, but it can also be challenging. Following the tips and tricks outlined in this blog can increase your chances of catching more catfish and having a successful fishing trip. Remember to be patient, use the right gear, and understand catfish behavior and habitat well. With a bit of practice and perseverance, you’ll be reeling in catfish like a pro in no time! So, grab your fishing gear, head out to the lake, and happy fishing!

For smaller freshwater fish try:

Size #6: Target fish include Panfish including Bluegill (Bream), Sunfish, and Crappie. Also great for Trout, Carp, White Perch, and more.

For larger freshwater fish try:

Size 1/0: Target fish include Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Larger Trout, Carp, Walleye, and more.

Barefoot Jig: Target fish include Trout (speckled and gray), Drum (red and black), Flounder, Striped and Hybrid Bass, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye and more!

For larger catfish fish try:

7/0 Catfish Circle Hook: Target fish include Blue, Bullhead, Channel, Flathead, and White Catfish.

Other saltwater tackle you may want to try:

J Hook Chin Weights: Target fish include Tuna, Mahi or Common Dolphin, King Mackerel, Wahoo, and more.

4 oz. Crab Decoy Jig: Target fish for Striped Bass, nearshore Drum, Snook, Grouper, west coast bottom fish, and more.

4 oz. Tuna Squid Decoy Jig: From the eastern, western, Alaskan and gulf coasts target fish include: Tuna, Dolphin, Wahoo, Fluke, Flounder, Striped Bass, Seabass, Amberjack (east coast), Yellow Tail (west coast), California White Sea Bass (west coast), Grouper, Snapper, Halibut, Ling cod, and all Alaskan bottom fish.

8 oz. – 12 oz. 10/0 Squid Decoy Jig: Catch BIG Grouper, Amberjack, Giant Stripers, and more.

To Purchase any of Tim Barefoot's Tackle listed above visit: BarefootCatsandTackle.com