How to hook more catfish

Everyone wants to catch a big one. And yes, I have seen the photos at the bait shops. Catfish are tasty, and great sport to catch. They are omnivores, and will take just about any bait. Some swear by stink bait. Others will say liver. Shrimp is also highly recommended. Here in north Texas, most catfishers use bait-netted shad.(shad are small baitfish found in Texas waterways).

Catfish are mostly nocturnal, which means they are night feeders. You may catch a few during the day, but you will always have better luck at night. Catfish find food through their sense of smell, not sight. Therefore the appearance of your bait is not important. It is very important that you secure any bait to the hook very securely. Catfish like to suck bait off of hooks, without getting hooked.

Most catfish are bottom foragers, so you must let baits sink to the bottom. Don't use bobbers or floats. Just drop your bait and wait. If you don't catch any in a few minutes, you probably won't. To catch catfish, you have to first determine where they are. This is the key to catching them. If there are active fish in the area, any bait will do.

During High water or a flood, catfish go crazy for nightcrawlers (worms) and are often caught near the shoreline. This is a good time to go fishing off the bank.

Increase your odds. Use several lines. This will dramatically increase your luck. Use different baits on different lines. If you are really serious about catfishing, try jug lines, or a trotline. This involves a good deal more work, but increases your chances of a fish fry. Jug lines are plastic bottles with handles to which single or multiple hook rigs are attached. Jug lines need an anchor, or they will be dragged away by your prey, or a turtle. Trotlines are usually tied to something at both ends, and marked with a flag, or a jug. Trotlines have 10 or more hooks. If a soft bait is used such as stink bait or liver, it may be secured with cut up bits of nylon stockings.(panty hose) Just wrap a small square around the bait and stab the hook through. This way you won't find a trotline full of shiny clean hooks instead of fish.