43 replies to this topic

[NiagaraSteel]

How to catch catfish article #1: Gear

ROD
For a rod you can use pretty much any old rod you have. As long as it is 6'6" or bigger and at least medium-light action it should be good.

REEL
Choosing a reel for catfish is pretty easy. It can be small, it can be big, it can be ugly looking. Spinning reels are the best. (Go for ugly cause it matches the fish you are gonna be catching )

LINE
6-12lb test is good. It can be braid or mono.

RIG
Take a 3/4oz-1 1/2oz egg sinker(sliding sinker) and put it on your main line. Then put any type of swivel on. When you move the line up and down the sinker should slide. Then take 1ft-2ft of 8 or 10 lb flurocarbon line on and tie it on to the other end of the swivel. Then tie on a size 3-7 circle hook. If you are fishing snaggy water then use a bobber or float and put a jighead underneath. Set the bobber so that the jighead is 4"-1ft off the bottom.

Read How to Catch Catfish #2: The Fishing for more info on bait, where to cast, and what to do when you catch one.

[FishingNoob]

Wow I found the info really helpful. Thanks for posting this. I'm sure a lot of people will find it helpful.

[NiagaraSteel]

Thanks Noob, i have catfished for years, (hence my username). Nothing like pulling in a fish that is like a log .

Cat

[SmackUm]

Thanks...Nice post Catfish04...I wish we had some catfish they are to the west of us in the Red River Manitoba and they can be found to the south of us in the Mississippi River in Minnesota.
I've eaten them before when I worked in the US they were quite good I believe that they where farm raised catfish that I bought from the grocery store..

[CJR]

darn I've been doing it wrong this whole time!

In all seriousness, thanks for the post. I remember a few years ago we went to the Grand to try for some channel cats, didn't get any, but landed 1 sheepshead which was fun.

I'm still yet to catch my first channel cat. Will definitely give it a shot in the spring.

[Alfiegee]

Good post Cat. I fish Channels quite a bit. Here in Hamilton in Cootes Paradise I like to use chunks of sardine. It gives off quite a scent in the muddy water and I find that worms attract a lot of smaller fish that can get annoying because they just strip your hook. I have never caught any of the monsters I have heard of in the Grand at Dunnville, but have wanted to get down there in the spring for a long time. My biggest in Cootes was about 12 lbs and was a lot of fun.
I also do quite a bit of fishing between Caledonia and Dunnville and we get lots 2-7 lbs. In the Grand I like to use minnows below a float because it also gives you the chance to catch Bass, Walleye, Pike and every thing else that swims there.

Alfie.

[zippyFX]

I am in Ottawa. When does it get to cool to fish for Cats?

When is the best time of year to fish for them?

[NiagaraSteel]

The best time to fish for them is spring. You can catch them until about october then it kind of slows down.

[NiagaraSteel]

Good post Cat. I fish Channels quite a bit. Here in Hamilton in Cootes Paradise I like to use chunks of sardine. It gives off quite a scent in the muddy water and I find that worms attract a lot of smaller fish that can get annoying because they just strip your hook. I have never caught any of the monsters I have heard of in the Grand at Dunnville, but have wanted to get down there in the spring for a long time. My biggest in Cootes was about 12 lbs and was a lot of fun.
I also do quite a bit of fishing between Caledonia and Dunnville and we get lots 2-7 lbs. In the Grand I like to use minnows below a float because it also gives you the chance to catch Bass, Walleye, Pike and every thing else that swims there.

Alfie.

Sardines work good too. Cats will bite on pretty much anything that smells. I've seen guys on tv and videos using soap and catching them. Theres this little local creek thats a 5 minute drive from my house. It has about every warmwater species there is. In the summer you can put a worm under a bobber and catch 20lb+ channel cats. And this is a tiny little trib of the welland river, about 20 ft wide all the way down the river and 6 ft deep.

[steelies]

I usually use shrimp to catch mine. I also do night fishing for them. I find that the most action is from 10pm to 2am. Love fighting those guys especially when they are over 15lbs.

[NiagaraSteel]

I usually use shrimp to catch mine. I also do night fishing for them. I find that the most action is from 10pm to 2am. Love fighting those guys especially when they are over 15lbs.

Shrimp works great too. Its up near the top of the list with worms and sardines.

[Johnny Hollywood]

Great advice I would agree with everything in the post.

[troutddicted]

This post has me pumped up about channel cats, I've been trying to get out for the last couple of years to fish 'em... This year its going down, love seeing those brutes come up boatside with their massive yaps and beady little eyes. I won't lie, first time I hooked one I didn't know what to do, efka came and rescued me

[NiagaraSteel]

This post has me pumped up about channel cats, I've been trying to get out for the last couple of years to fish 'em... This year its going down, love seeing those brutes come up boatside with their massive yaps and beady little eyes. I won't lie, first time I hooked one I didn't know what to do, efka came and rescued me

Hahaha they're a bit intimidating at first, between their fatness, size, and shear ugliness! use a glove if you want. Sometimes i'll just put on one gardening glove and use that hand to support the head, or grab it's mouth.

[Johnny Hollywood]

This post has me pumped up about channel cats, I've been trying to get out for the last couple of years to fish 'em... This year its going down, love seeing those brutes come up boatside with their massive yaps and beady little eyes. I won't lie, first time I hooked one I didn't know what to do, efka came and rescued me

The Cat's do get you pumped up!

I think the best time is mid to late May down in Dunnville . That's when the Cat's are running I've seen people catching them off Bass lures.
Good Fishing

Hollywood,

[NiagaraSteel]

The Cat's do get you pumped up!

I think the best time is mid to late May down in Dunnville . That's when the Cat's are running I've seen people catching them off Bass lures.
Good Fishing

Hollywood,

Yep, april and may, the big cats run up the grand to spawn. Sometimes they even go into mid june.

[Youthgw]

Great post / tips , Thanks man!

[Hotshot420]

Hope this helps,

Cat

 

it sure does! great post!

[RedCat]

 

Another good method.

[TRINIBOY]

This post has me pumped up about channel cats, I've been trying to get out for the last couple of years to fish 'em... This year its going down, love seeing those brutes come up boatside with their massive yaps and beady little eyes. I won't lie, first time I hooked one I didn't know what to do, efka came and rescued me http://www.ontariofi..._DIR#/laugh.gif

Get ready Dozer next weekend for sure were heading down righ after the trout opener. Lol