You've enjoyed fishing trips for years – your father used to take you when you were a kid and you'd have the greatest time together. And later, you used to go up to the lake in September with friends and see if you could get a salmon or two or some trout which you could cook around the campfire.
But this is different. A couple of your friends want to go catfishing and it's something you've not done before. You're going to need some catfishing tackle. And because there are different kinds of catfish, there are different kinds of catfishing tackle, depending on which type of cat you're planning to go after. If you're going to catch smaller channel fish, the gear you already have would be perfect and you won't have to buy anything – just some new hooks perhaps.
But if you and your friends want to snare CATFISH, then that's an entirely different "kettle of fish," (pun intended) because these bad guys can range from three or four pounds right up to over a hundred pounds, depending on the stretch of water you're planning to visit. It will also make a difference if you're fishing from the dock or a boat – and the time of day; evening or early morning is the best time.
So let's take a look at the varieties of catfishing tackle available – remember, hunting catfish is truly addictive and you'll probably end up buying two or even three different types of gear, including at least one piece of catfishing tackle to go after those behemoths – which ultimately (believe me) is what you want, right?
A catfish which weighs in at ten pounds or more is going to need something a little sturdier than your lightweight trout rod to haul him in. A medium-heavy spinning outfit rigged with at least seventeen-pound test and high-quality monofilament line should do the job just fine – the rod should be a long one, at least eight to ten feet because you'll be casting your line and the longer rod helps you to control the fish during the fight. And there will be a fight – and it's one you want to win.
Of course, as we noted earlier, a lot depends on which variety of catfish you'll find – channel cats are the smallest and your existing equipment should work fine, doubling up as channel catfishing tackle. It should at least consist of a six or seven foot rod with a sensitive tip and monofilament line; one to twelve-pound test with lighter weight sinkers, swivels and good hooks and you'll be catching channel fish with the skill of a catfishing expert on day one.
But the blue catfish and flatheads are the largest and this variety will give you the monster beast you're eventually going to be hunting down. And these are the ones you need the heavy-duty catfishing tackle for – they can get really big. Keep in mind that they like to hang out in cloudy water, around brush, logs and old sunken tree stumps as well as around bridges and undercut banks. So, look at rods with a really strong backbone and a soft tip because catfish are sensitive! A lot of anglers like to use the steelhead rods. Either way, you need at least a twenty-pound test line and it has to be tough enough so that it doesn't break if it gets snagged on whatever's under the surface. You might consider using a braided line as part of your catfishing tackle, although the monofilament lines are good enough if they're twenty or thirty-pound test. And use slip sinker rigs too for those big fellows.
Your basic catfishing tackle is simple enough because once you've chosen your rod (or rods) all you really need is a good-quality barrel swivel, a sliding egg sinker, 4/0+ hooks or J-hooks and the appropriate lines. Your hooks should be sharp enough to pierce the tough mouth of the fish as well as big enough to carry the larger bait you'll need to attract them. Don't forget to take a net with you as part of your catfishing tackle – you'll need it to help with landing the beast. It'll be too bad if he gets away because you couldn't get him in the boat.
You'll have lost your bragging rights!
Here are a couple of tips which may be of help to you. Think like a catfish. If you're a hundred-pound blue catfish, where are you going to hang out? Deep water, right? And before you go on your trip, do some research about the different types of bait you'll need to catch the different kinds of catfish.
Goin' fishin' is more than just casting your line in the water. Be prepared before you go; you'll be much more successful and have a lot more fun.
Good luck bringing home a winner!
(ArticlesBase SC #4785045)
