Catfishing tips

Dozens of different bait types are commonly used for catfish, with popular picks ranging from hot dog slices to clams to smaller catfish. If one were to dig into occasional uses, the list of items that have never been used as catfish bait might be shorter than the list of those that have. Despite the never-ending list of options available to catfish anglers, certain baits do tend to outshine the rest.

SHAD

Big catfish like big meals, and few things do more to improve an angler's odds of landing a true trophy cat than baiting up with a big chunk of cut shad or even a live shad. Adult flathead catfish feed almost exclusively on live fish, and shad often are an important part of the mix because they are around river channels, where flatheads spend the most time. Even channel catfish, which feed on a little bit of everything both dead and alive, turn heavily to fish diets once they get larger than 10 pounds or so.

Shad make great bait in most reservoirs and many rivers, because they are prevalent natural forage and often are readily available to fishermen. However, the same principles apply to various minnows and other baitfish species in waterways where shad are not the main attraction.

Probably the most efficient way to cut up a shad is to slice off the head and tail and cut across the body to create strips. If those pieces seem too large, the strips can then be cut in half. However, some anglers prefer to fillet large shad and cut up the fillets or to fish with very small shad, either whole or cut in half.

CHICKEN LIVERS

Arguably, no bait is more closely associated with cat fishing than a chicken liver. The reason is simple: livers produce catfish and lots of them. With their strong, meaty smell, chicken livers draw cats from broad areas. Once the cats find the bait, they have trouble resisting them.

Among the best ways to keep livers hooked is to use treble hooks and relatively small pieces of bait, and wrap the liver onto the hook. That allows the bait to be hooked in a few different places, and the bends of the three hooks work together to keep the offering in place. Beyond that, you simply need to make lob casts instead of fast-action snapping casts.

DIP BAITS

Some folks make their own dips from well-guarded secret recipes that have been passed from generation to generation. Others have favored commercially manufactured blends that they buy by the case. Whether home brewed or store bought, dip baits are gooey concoctions that usually smell horrible, but catfish absolutely cannot resist them.

A bait's consistency also is critical. A good dip is soft enough that it breaks up gradually, but solid enough that it does not wash away quickly. In current, where dip baits are really at their best, that can be a delicate balance.

NIGHT CRAWLERS

Stringing a worm on a hook is the essence of fishing simplicity. In fact, it almost seems too simple. That said, night crawlers remain some of the finest baits available for coaxing catfish into biting. They smell natural, because they are natural, and they seem to taste mighty good to catfish.

Generally speaking, the rule for night crawlers and catfish is, the bigger the better. Even small cats like big, juicy worms. It is generally a good idea to wad two or three on a hook if you only can find small or medium-sized worms. Unlike other species, catfish typically do not care how night crawlers are strung on the hook.

Because they do not have to be cut up and are not quite as messy as livers or dip bait, night crawlers also make a terrific bait choice for trips with youngsters. Children quickly learn how to string worms on hooks so the bait will not come off. Also, cats tend to slurp in night crawlers, so hook-up ratios tend to be good.

"Fish comprise a large portion of the channel cat's diet and offer many advantages over other baits. You can use fish alive or dead, cut or whole. Catch your own fish for bait or buy them through bait dealers. They're easily stored, easily rigged and stay on the hook."

Minnows are available nearly everywhere. Other bait fish can be shad, skipjack herring, suckers, carp, chubs, mooneyes and small bream. "Ricefield slick" is a common Arkansas term for green sunfish, a member of the bream family. Use fresh fish--either live fish or cut bait stored on ice.

Match the bait's size to the fish you're likely to catch. In waters where you don't expect catfish over 5 or 6 pounds, stick to minnows or small chunks or strips of cut bait. Where bigger cats are common, 4- to 6-inch-long baits aren't out of place. Mash the head of whole dead fish so natural juices leak into the water.

1 teasp. Salt

1/2 teasp. Black pepper

1 c Cornmeal

1 tb Sherry or brandy (optional)

1 Jar prepared mustard

Catfish (Steaks, fillets or whole) Oil for frying.

Heat oil until it pops when sprinkled with a drop of water.

Pat fish dry, then brush with mustard, (mixed with sherry or brandy if desired).

Sift cornmeal, salt and pepper into bag.

Add 2 or 3 steaks or fillets, or 1 whole fish; close and shake.

Drop fish carefully into hot oil; fry until lightly browned. Drain well on paper. Keep fish warm and crisp in a closed paper sack.

Try fresh or canned potatoes fried with the same batter. (Makes 6 servings)

You want to be sure that the are non-slip grips on both the hand-crank and on the arm of the reel (where you non-cranking hand rests). This ensures that when your hands get wet (which they will), you can still have solid control over the reel and don't have to worry about it slipping out of your hands.

 How Does Fishing By Moon Phase Work? Every fisherman knows that the best fishing times are when the fish are feeding. This tends to be during dawn and dusk, but what often goes unnoticed are the two periods elsewhere in the day--moonrise and moonset. Because the moon has an effect on a variety of factors surrounding the fish--including the live fodder they hunt--these periods, combined with the moon's phase, are what trigger feeding.    By understanding this, and choosing times when sunrise/sunset and moonrise/moonset coincide with new or full moon phases, you'll increase you chance of a good fishing catch. Assuming there are fish in the area, of course. Choosing The Best Fishing Times There really is nothing complicated about this at all; it's just a matter of knowing ahead of time exactly when the sun and moon will rise and set. Fish are most active during 90-minute windows surrounding each of these four daily events; that's 45 minutes before and after these four daily points.   Fishing during these four periods will help increase your fishing catch, but if you plan wisely so as to ensure you're at the water's edge on the days of new or full moon, you can use these 'windows' to reel in a catch like you've never done before. If you have to choose between sunrise/set and moonrise/set, always go with the moon as the moon is the stronger influence.