04-22-2007, 02:43 AM
Hey there Jordan5............
You know, the tactics vary depending on the species of catfish in the area and the body of water.
Channel and bull catfish are the most common species and are more less the scavengers of the waters. These are the ones you hear about that like stink bait, hot dogs, shrimp, and just about everything else under the sun. About the best bait i've found for these two species is chicken liver. I'll freeze them first because they seem to stay on the hook alot better. They'll thaw in the water slowly, and give off a nice scent trail. Channel cats like structure, so keep that in mind. Like all the catfish species, they hold in the deeper holes during the day. They aren't picky about current and don't require very large fishing equipment as they are of the smaller species of catfish native to North America.
Blue catfish dig fresh cut shad, carp, or what ever else is handy. Fresh only, you'll get no blue with old, stinky bait. Many local charter captains will keep the bait alive until time to use it so it is as fresh as possible. I've caught many blues in open water along deep, sandy bottoms, with a fast current. Though they generally don't stay right on top of structure like channels do, they aren't far from it. In the smaller rivers in my local area, I try to find a deep hole with a sandy bottom that over looks a shallower calm current area with sub level structure. These spots seem to hold the most blues during the day. Keep in mind that regardless of the species of catfish, they all roam the shallows come night fall to feed. This is why bush hooks work mostly at night, and anglers who tie them during the day usually come up empty handed.
Flathead cats feed almost exclusively on live bait, however, will gladly take an offering of fresh cut bait as well. I prefer live bait as apposed to cut bait, but either one will work. Flatheads prefer deep holes and lots of structure. They like a moderate current if you're fishing a river, but also can be found in large lakes where there is no current. Santee Cooper is a fine example of this in the great state of SC. Come night fall, keep your line close to the bank along the edges of a hole, and you're sure to catch a couple. Flatheads love bridges, rocks, and submerged trees and stumps. If you know a spot that usually warrants a snag and lost leader, that's where the flatheads are. [cool]
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You know, the tactics vary depending on the species of catfish in the area and the body of water.
Channel and bull catfish are the most common species and are more less the scavengers of the waters. These are the ones you hear about that like stink bait, hot dogs, shrimp, and just about everything else under the sun. About the best bait i've found for these two species is chicken liver. I'll freeze them first because they seem to stay on the hook alot better. They'll thaw in the water slowly, and give off a nice scent trail. Channel cats like structure, so keep that in mind. Like all the catfish species, they hold in the deeper holes during the day. They aren't picky about current and don't require very large fishing equipment as they are of the smaller species of catfish native to North America.
Blue catfish dig fresh cut shad, carp, or what ever else is handy. Fresh only, you'll get no blue with old, stinky bait. Many local charter captains will keep the bait alive until time to use it so it is as fresh as possible. I've caught many blues in open water along deep, sandy bottoms, with a fast current. Though they generally don't stay right on top of structure like channels do, they aren't far from it. In the smaller rivers in my local area, I try to find a deep hole with a sandy bottom that over looks a shallower calm current area with sub level structure. These spots seem to hold the most blues during the day. Keep in mind that regardless of the species of catfish, they all roam the shallows come night fall to feed. This is why bush hooks work mostly at night, and anglers who tie them during the day usually come up empty handed.
Flathead cats feed almost exclusively on live bait, however, will gladly take an offering of fresh cut bait as well. I prefer live bait as apposed to cut bait, but either one will work. Flatheads prefer deep holes and lots of structure. They like a moderate current if you're fishing a river, but also can be found in large lakes where there is no current. Santee Cooper is a fine example of this in the great state of SC. Come night fall, keep your line close to the bank along the edges of a hole, and you're sure to catch a couple. Flatheads love bridges, rocks, and submerged trees and stumps. If you know a spot that usually warrants a snag and lost leader, that's where the flatheads are. [cool]
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