Catfish is a very popular species of fish that is sought after by anglers everywhere. The catfish has a mouth-watering taste that is hard to beat. This is one of the reasons why anglers fish for catfish. However, it is not the only reason. Catfish are also fished as a sport because they can put up an amazing fight. When you go catfish fishing you need to be ready for the challenge because you will certainly encounter one.
Another reason they are so popular is because the catfish grows to some incredible sizes. They are the perfect fish for the angler that is after that trophy fish. By nature the catfish is an invasive species. They tend to take over any body of water they are introduced to because they have the ability to adapt so well.
There are several different types of catfish. Some of them are listed below:
Channel Cats Flathead Cats Yellow Bullhead Brown Bullhead Blue Cats White Cats
Having the opportunity to reel in a trophy fish is many anglers dream. The catfish provides this for anyone willing to put forth the extra effort they require. It can be very rewarding to reel in a good size cat so if you are interested in trophy fishing it's time to get started. One of the best ways to fish for cats is by rigging.
The #1 catfish rig for catching those big ones is the standard two hook catfish rig. The reason this one is so popular is because it can be used with great success anytime of the year although; it does work best in clear water. It also works for all species of catfish so it doesn't matter which one you are fishing for.
Description of the Two Hook Catfish Rig
The factory made two hook catfish rig is designed with a snap swivel on the bottom of a 1 foot to a 2 foot leader. It has a barrel swivel at the top and two dropper loops spaced evenly between the two swivels. When you are ready to go catfish fishing all you need to do is place a sinker on the snap swivel and your line attaches to the barrel swivel.
When choosing your weight for the two hook catfish rig you need to take a few things into consideration. For example, is there a strong wind blowing? How far will you need to cast your line to reach the strike zone? The type of hook and size will mainly depend on which species of catfish you are after and how big you expect them to be.
After taking all of this into consideration you will have a good idea as to which one will work the best. It is recommended that you take extra weights with you in a variety of sizes so you can change if the need arises.
Presentation
Even when using the two hook rig your presentation is everything. Unfortunately, many anglers don't realize just how important it really is. The presentation is what gets the attention of the catfish and makes them interested in the bait that you are offering. In fact, the way you present the bait will mean the difference between spending the day wishing they would start biting and reeling in your catch.
These cats are similar to their cousins, the channel cat, but different in a few ways. For one thing, they have a distinct blue coloring (which gives them their name). The back has a bluish tint, and their underbelly is white. But the biggest way you can tell it's a blue, is that they have a forked tail. You won't see any other catfish like this. Other than that, blues are so similar they are often mistaken for channel catfish, and in some parts of the country the locals won't make any distinction between them.
Another thing that sets blues apart is that they are on the big end of the scale. Usually blues are between 20 and 40 pounds, although there are some legendary blue catfish that are well over 100 pounds! If you are an angler in Texas, you've probably seen some 50 pound blues in your time. These are big fish, and that's why we want to target 'em!
Tips on Catching Blue Cats
- First off, bait is always important. Blues, more than any other kind of catfish, love live bait. Take in something that is or once was alive, and the stinkier the better. Blue catfish are known for going after live bait much younger than other fish, so using good, live, stinky bait will get you blues. Blue catfish also have an especially keen sense of smell, so baits that smell funny will work much better than ordinary stuff. Probably your best bet is to use some kind of bait fish, or smaller catfish. Chicken livers, dried chicken blood and nightcrawlers work well too.
- Use a pretty good-sized hook. Anything from 3/0 to 9/0 will work well. Remember, these are pretty big catfish. You'll probably want to cut your bait 6 to 12 inches long.
- Blue catfish are known as fighters. Be ready for a battle! These stubborn fish don't want to come out of that water for any reason whatsoever, so you should make sure you have a good, tough rod to pull him out with. Also, make sure you have a strong line and heavy tackle.
- Blue cats like to stick to cool waters. The best time to go out looking for them is in the fall, from September to December. They'll be out feeding much later than other species of catfish. It depends a little bit on where you live, but definitely fall and early spring are the best times to catch them. In places like Iowa and Idaho, anglers have been known to catch some pretty big blue cats in the winter time.
- Pick a good spot. There are lots of blues hanging out in the bottom of that big river, but pick a little tributary with enough rushing water, and you might have better luck. Look for an area that is deeper than the rest of the river or stream. The best spot is just past a rapid. Here, there will be a calm pool that the rapid empties out into, and all that rushing water plunging into the pool will make a depression at the bottom. This is the perfect spot for blue catfish to be in. Fish these spots, and you'll improve your chances of catching a blue.