Personally, Catfish was my favorite show on MTV. These were people pretending to be someone else online. I found out later that it was just a fish, a delicious one. They used that name because catfish are known for their cunning nature fishing charters marathon fl. It is more abundant in fresh water. Anglers love to catch it because it makes a great dinner that can feed a whole family. If you want to know where to get those giant fish, I will guide you.
Here are 4 great catfishing tips that will double your success rate today;
1. Do some research?
There are forty different species of catfish and 3,000 species. It comes in different shapes and weights. Catfish can be as small as a pinfish; however, it can weigh up to 57 kilograms.
It lives in fresh water such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs. The most prominent species are the blue catfish, the channel catfish and the flathead catfish.
Blue catfish
It can be blue with a white belly without dark spots on the body and have a forked tail. Blues can weigh up to 37 kilograms.
Catfish channel
It can be olive green or gray. A duct may have dark spots covering the skin and have a forked tail. It can weigh up to 14 kilograms.
Flathead catfish
It comes in different colors like black, brown, and pale yellow. The Flathead does not have a forked tail. It weighs up to 57 kilograms.
2. Locate your prey
Catfish are a freshwater fish that can be found in famous rivers and lakes, especially in the US But they won’t wait for you to come looking for them.
As tasty as they are, you’ll have to work really hard to catch them. Generally clear water fishing gives you a great privilege to spot these fish.
Start finding your access points. River Holes is one of the most popular catfish havens. They usually hide in these river holes, waiting for their lunch. It would be a smart move to locate these holes before installing your seats.
3. The right time
Cats are not friendly with the sun so it is preferable that you go fishing at night as the catfish feel safer and come out of hiding. If you can find their hiding places in the morning, do so. But chances are, as a beginner, you’ll have trouble identifying these precious spots.
Also keep in mind that these fish go to deeper levels during the day to avoid the heat of the sun. In that case, boat fishing will make your experience much more comfortable because you don’t have to expend energy on longer casts.
It is true that you can go fishing throughout the year, although some seasons can be more rewarding than others.
Winter: Now that is your catfish season. You will be amazed at the size of the catfish in winter. They can weigh up to 120 pounds, which can feed an entire city. You’ll be lucky if you find the bluefish trophy, as well as some monster carcasses.
Summer: The season should be left to the catfish experts, as it is cat spawning season. To be precise, you’d be fighting an angry 9 month pregnant woman, and that’s not a pretty sight.
In the summer it becomes more difficult to catch cats due to the warm water, especially those with a thermocline.
It is more advisable to bet on channels and flatheads during hot days. The blue ones cannot be used in summer due to their hardness.
Spring and fall: These are the hiding seasons for catfish. They become so difficult to locate due to the increase in temperature. Cats do not like high temperatures.
If you practice this sport for love and passion, bet on other varieties during these two seasons. But if you’re a pro, your previous experience will help you find these sneaky cats.
A general tip for all beginners is that the change in weather will deter fishing. Consistency equals security. So when something changes, they panic and hide. That sounds like a very human thing, don’t you think?
4. Done. Steady. Fish
I think a beginner should buy the right gear to fully focus on tackling the technicalities and casting, and not waste time with a poor quality rod or reel that doesn’t work. Here are some tips to help you get started as a catfish.
Bait and lure
After all, catfish are fish. An attractive bait drives them crazy. Don’t underestimate the power of a smelly bait.
Cats will be cats whether they’re 10 feet underwater or walking on the surface of the earth. They will eat anything you put next to them.
Catfish are tempted by any type of live bait such as shrimp, frogs, and worms. What I find so strange about these fish is that they are attracted to smelly baits like fish intestines, mussels, and chicken liver.
If you didn’t have bait to catch a catfish, don’t be surprised if you catch it with dog food. You can use lures, but that is quite expensive. So why spend your money on a fish that eats garbage?
Catfish have a strong sense of smell and taste. Using scented lures would be perfect to attract the cat. There are many famous scented lures, but the Berkley Gulp lures are the most recommended. They look real, but they are not.
These cats also developed a keen sense of hearing, so some anglers use a loud lure, which produces vibrations and noise.
Rod
As mentioned above, catfish come in all different shapes and sizes. Each type needs a different tackling technique and each size requires a different rod. With a 6 or 7 foot fast action medium power rod, you can get all kinds of catfish.
The best option for catfish fishing is the bait casting rod. You have to combine that rod with a baitcasting reel. You just need to learn the casting technique and let the rod do the rest. This rod can cast long distances and gives you superior control.
Current: Refers to the rod’s ability to bend. When fishing for catfish, you can settle for a heavy or medium power rod. Catfish are huge and need heavy rods to keep up with this weight.
Length: Changes depending on your position as an angler. When shore fishing, you need a long rod to cast long distances. But if you are going to fish with a boat, a short rod will suffice.
Material: If you are fishing in a channel, a graphite rod is perfect for you. It is sensitive enough to trigger fish. If you’re looking for blues or flatheads, you need a stronger counterpart. A composite rod can help you get through a tough fight because it gives you more leverage over the fish.
So whatever you decide to go for, you need to match you want with your needs to get started. You can also check out my recommended catfish rods here. They have always given me great results and I think they can do the same for you.