05-22-2006, 12:29 AM
First and foremost, welcome to the BFT message boards! Make sure and check out your local state board for local fishing reports and the other topic specific boards.
Mmmm, catfishing just happens to be one of my passions, so here I go on the "soap box." I primarily target large flathead catfish, which are plentiful in my area. Live bait is exclusive for this species. Alot of people "say" they've caught flatheads on stink bait and such, but I don't buy it. Fresh cut or live bait, mostly live bait. Using stink bait, you'll primarily catch channel catfish or bullheads; a much smaller species compared to the likes of the flathead, which can reach sizes of over 80 pounds; 30 pounds and higher are common.
To tackle large cats, you'll need a rod and reel combo with a little back bone. I use Abu Garcia 6500 bait casters spooled with 20 lb line, though most catters use 30+ line. Personally, I like sport. I utilize a carolina rig with a braided 40 pound steel leader about 24 inches long with a 7/0 circle hook.(can also use a kahl hook) Topple that with a 6 or 7 inch long live bream hooked through the back, and you're good to go. Any live bait will work: Shad, suckers, carp, bream, smaller channel cats, crappie......you get the idea
Normally, i'll find a deep hole with some structure, like around bridge pilons, and drop it right on the bottom. I'll let it set up to 45 minutes, and i'll adjust fire. Sometimes the big cats are lazy during the day, so you've gotta get it pretty close to intice them. Night fishing for cats is a little different, but I primarily day fish for them.
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Mmmm, catfishing just happens to be one of my passions, so here I go on the "soap box." I primarily target large flathead catfish, which are plentiful in my area. Live bait is exclusive for this species. Alot of people "say" they've caught flatheads on stink bait and such, but I don't buy it. Fresh cut or live bait, mostly live bait. Using stink bait, you'll primarily catch channel catfish or bullheads; a much smaller species compared to the likes of the flathead, which can reach sizes of over 80 pounds; 30 pounds and higher are common.
To tackle large cats, you'll need a rod and reel combo with a little back bone. I use Abu Garcia 6500 bait casters spooled with 20 lb line, though most catters use 30+ line. Personally, I like sport. I utilize a carolina rig with a braided 40 pound steel leader about 24 inches long with a 7/0 circle hook.(can also use a kahl hook) Topple that with a 6 or 7 inch long live bream hooked through the back, and you're good to go. Any live bait will work: Shad, suckers, carp, bream, smaller channel cats, crappie......you get the idea
Normally, i'll find a deep hole with some structure, like around bridge pilons, and drop it right on the bottom. I'll let it set up to 45 minutes, and i'll adjust fire. Sometimes the big cats are lazy during the day, so you've gotta get it pretty close to intice them. Night fishing for cats is a little different, but I primarily day fish for them.
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