| Night Fishing Catfish |
First off , I have been fishing for catfish for over 20 years. In all the catfish fishing
trips i have taken, fishing at night has produced the best results. Catfish are night
feeders and after 8pm at night look out! My PRIMARY fishing spot is Lake St Marys In
Ohio. But All of the techniques I use can be applied at any fishery that holds Catfish.
My biggest catch ever was a 28lb blue cat. Caught at night, using chubs for bait. For
best results cut the chubs in chunks about 2" inches wide. (use the heads also) .
Also I use bluegill heads. The best size to use bluegill's 3 to 4inches in length.
IF you only bank fish for catfish visit my "bank fishing for catfish web page.
CLICK HERE
Check out our catfish habitat page. CLICK HERE
Drift Fishing For Catfish
Drift fishing can be a very productive way to get allot of 3 to 4lb Blue catfish, or
channel catfish. Drift fishing is also an excellent way to find a productive spot and
anchor . I am going to Identify some drift fishing tips below that will increase your
chances of a successful cat fishing trip the next time you go out. I always drift fish to
find a productive location, and if you are unfamiliar with the fishery, you will increase
your chance of a successful fishing trip drastically.
#1 Talk To The Folks At The Local Bait Shop
If you are unfamiliar with a fishery , you need to seek out some advice on where the
catfish have been biting. These guys our gals talk to fisherman everyday and can
give you some valuable advice on where to start drift fishing. Also, Ask for a map
showing the layout of the fishery. If you can, get the guys at the bait shop to circle
areas on the map for you. This can save you a lot of time and make your set up time
allot easier. You will get an idea of the fishery's water depth and bottom content, so
you can set your catfish rigs accordingly.
#2 Catfish Rigs & Setups
Make sure you set up at least (4) poles. I recommend you vary your setups to see
what works best for you. Once you start catching fish take note to what set up is
working best for you. If there is a noticeable difference between one of the setups
compared to the others change. You will be surprised at how many fisherman don't
do this, and they a miss out on catching more fish. This tip alone can increase your
catch substantially.I am not going to go into detail here and the various setup rigs,
but you can visit my Catfish rigs and tackle web page to get this information. CLICK
HERE
#3 Boat Location
Turn you boat so it perpendicular to the shore line. You will have to vary your
distance from the shoreline, until you find a productive drift. I recommend you start
about 100yds from the bank and work you way out. Let the boat start drifting before
you cast your catfish rigs out. Make sure you cast your poles the opposite direction
you are drifting. You want your drift to pull your baits along the bottom with the drift. I
recommend you work the area for about 15 to 30 minutes varying the distance from
the shoreline each time. If after 30 minutes you don't pickup any hits, move on to
another spot. Remember, you are drifting to find a productive spot to anchor.
Anchored Fishing For Catfish
Anchored fishing for catfish is the most productive way of catching catfish. Once you
have drifted and found your honey hole , it is time to set your anchor. I am going to
Identify some anchored fishing tips below that will increase your chances of a
successful cat fishing trip when you are anchored.
#1 Set Up A Illumination device (For night fishing)
Submerged light is one of the most under used night fishing techniques . I consider it
the most important, If you are serious about catching some big catfish, I mean in the
5lb plus range this is a must investment. Since I purchased mine I have caught
channel, and blues 5lb plus every time I have gone out. A submerged lighting system
is especially important when you are Night fishing for catfish and here's why:
It basically creates a massive swarm of feeding fish in any fishing spot by first
attracting small organisms called "zoo plankton" to your spot. Next it attracts the
native bait fish in the area by the hundreds - which soon brings the game fish
swarming to the area. It is a scientific way of creating a food chain feeding frenzy in
your spot, and it has proven to catch more fish for many different types of fishermen
in both saltwater and freshwater.
I only recommend one , I have purchased it and I use it religiously , every time I go
out night fishing in my boat or when I do my bank fishing from the St. Marys river in
Ohio.
This System is so powerful that the manufacture give a 180 day free trial if you try it
and don't like they will give your money back no questions asked
#2 Set Up A Chumming System
Chumming is a technique that is not used near enough by folks fishing for catfish.
Chumming works best at night, but works well during the day too. All Catfish species,
channels, blue shovelhead (flathead) and bullhead rely on their sense of smell at
night to find and hone in on their prey. They must either "sense" wounded prey
moving or smell the food. Well you guessed it! That is where the chumming comes in.
Here's how I do it: Get your self a small mesh bag with small openings that you can
close with a string. I use throw away chum bags from bass pro shop click here to
see .Cut you dead bait up into small pieces and place in the bag. (I always cut up
about 10 chubs or bluegills into small pieces and put the chum in a plastic storage
bag and let them sit for a couple of hours out in the sun before I go out night fishing.
You can also use pre-packaged chum if you don't to mess with making your own
chum click here for pre pre-made chum. Then I empty the storage contents into my
meshed bag. I use a 5lb weight that hangs from the bottom of the bag Then I tie a line
at the top of the bag long enough for the bag to go to the bottom. Then lower the bag
into the water next to my illumination device. I also scatter all the blood remains on
top of the water to create a "slick" for the Catfish to smell. YOU WILL BE AMAZED
how this attracts fish. You should allot of bait fish swimming around your chum bag
and Illumination device in about 20 to 60 min. The bait fish and the chum will attract
allot of big catfish so be ready for some action.
#3 Catfish rigs and tackle
On 2 of your rigs use the set up from above that you got the best results.
One pole , you want to lower a line about 5 to 10 ft from your chum set up. I prefer to
use a slip bobber set up for this line. The one I use is called " a bobber with a brain"
click here to see the one I use. On your last line set it up for heavy test line and use
a #4/0 hook. Cast out about 25 yards from you submerged lighting device. Bait this
line with a blue gill in the 1 to 3" range. Click here for other rig setups. Use the least
amount of weight that you can by with, and open your bail if you are using a open
face, If you are using a bait caster click your cast button so line can release freely.
Now if you see that your line is starting to move on this pole wait! wait! wait! It takes a
large catfish to swallow, the blue gill so you want to make sure the bait is in the
catfish's gullet, before setting the hook. It's been my experience the big catfish will
make there initial run, and then stop. On the second run is when you want set the
hook.
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