Catfish Fishing

Channel Catfish :

Channel cats can be caught most any time of year except in extreme cold water conditions. The best time of year tends to be spring and fall followed by summer and lastly winter. Channel catfish favor crawfish and small fish, so look for them at varying depths where there is rock or gravel that attracts the crawfish or other forms of cover that attracts baitfish and other small fish. In the warmer summer months catfish can be found in areas with moss, which they feed on.

Flathead Catfish :

Flatheads are caught primarily on bait like live shiners and chubs and only occasionally on cut or prepared baits. They are the second largest of the catfishes and lie in cover of submerged logs or other large structures. Prime fishing time for catching flathead catfish is after dark.

Blue Catfish :

Look for these big blue catfish on major rivers or in impoundments fed by large tributaries. They feed on fish frogs, mollusks, crayfish and large invertebrates. They find food more by use of their keen sense of smell. Look for them to be hiding in hollowed out logs or undercuts in structures. Use anything from live shiners to cut bait and stink baits to catch these big blue catfish.

White Catfish :

White catfish will typically found in slower meandering creeks, streams, canals and small rivers. They are occasionally found in brackish waters which drain into and mix with saltwater. Their primary diet is fish, however they also feed on aquatic insects, fish eggs, small crustaceans and even aquatic plants. Try live minnows or worms and focus on daylight hours as these are not as nocturnal as some of their other catfish relatives.

Catfish Baits :
If it resembles food in any way and emits an odor it is likely to attract the interest of catfish. Every ardent catfish expert has their own secret recipe. The ingredients range from natural prey of fish and fowl to non-food items like soap and chemicals. Chicken, shrimp, liver and stink baits are the most common ingredients.