I have been angling for catfish for a long time now and I am getting a reputation as a bit of an expert which leads to many people to ask for tips on catfishing. Over the years I have given many different tips but in recent times they have always been the same. I will admit that the phrase is not mine but I believe I was the first to apply it angling. The advice I give is "location, location, location".
All the other elements are important but secondary to finding the right place in the water to fish. This is especially true if you are fishing in the daytime when the catfish will be "holed up" somewhere and not venturing far to feed. The important thing is that they will feed if the bait is presented to them properly. No catfish can refuse an easy meal day or night; this is particularly true of the Channel catfish.
Therefore having the right bait or lure, presenting it correctly, fishing at the right time in the right season are all important but will not have the effect on your level of success as fishing in the right place. Without a doubt recognizing in which cover the catfish are lying is by the most important factor. You can have right tackle, the right bait but if you're fishing where there aren't any fish will guarantee that you catch will be very poor. Having everything wrong but fishing where the fish are will give you a chance to catch fish. So the thing to concentrate on getting right is identifying where the fish are most likely to be.
If you think like a catfish it will give you a great advantage. If you were a catfish where would you hide waiting for food? The first thing is where in the water is the food - the bait fish, the small mollusks, leeches, shellfish, carrion (most catfish are scavengers) etc. Now where would the catfish lie in wait without being spotted? Holes in the bank, rocks, obstructions, log piles fallen trees are all places where they could hide.
Obviously it is more difficult for you as you can only view the terrain from the bank (or boat) not in water. But there are many signs that can be seen from the bank that will give you the clues to decide where the fish are most likely to be.
In rivers the bends are a good place to start looking. The force of the water on the outside of the bend starts to wear it down and creates holes. Obstructions to the current on the outside of a bend will cause counter currents and slack water this is a good place for small fish to rest and therefore a good place for catfish to seek prey. Fallen trees will be the home for a large variety of aquatic life and feeding catfish. In rivers all obstruction will cause resting places for small river life and will be attractive places for catfish to lie in wait. These will include rock dikes, boulders etc.
The same principles are true for lakes and ponds, but there are other things to look for. The wind battered lake shore will receive considerable plankton driven by the wind. The small fish will follow and the catfish will follow the small fish. Yes I know it's more difficult to cast into the wind, but you will be more successful. Also you should look for boulders, fallen trees, etc because they provide cover for all aquatic life and there will draw the fish. You should examine manmade structures that have been built to protect the bank these will also be good hiding places.
To be consistently successful at catching the larger catfish you require all the aspects of catfishing to be right. The bait the presentation, the timing but first is to locate the catfish. But start with my 3 tips on catfishing success - "location, location, location".
Ben Field has been catfishing enthusiast for many years and now is considered an expert. For more great information on catfishing, and details of his free email couse visit http://www.catfishingskills.com.
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