Catfish are often ignored and not as appreciated as they should be. They get lumped in with other “rough fish” and are even sometimes forgotten about. But for those in the know, they’re game fish worthy of being listed with the best of them. And we’re here to show you what Catfish fishing is all about. Keep on reading and find out how to catch a monster Catfish.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything from catfishing basics, like telling species apart, to more advanced theories on where, when, and how to bring in a trophy fish. We’ll also make sure to include a section on the rules and regulations surrounding your hunt, providing useful links. Check it all out below!
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Catfish Varieties
People assume all Catfish are the same, even though they vary just as much as Trout and Bass. So, the first thing you need to know about catching them is that there’s more than one kind. You wouldn’t use the same tactics for a Steelhead as a Lake Trout, so knowing which Cat you’re targeting is your key to success.
Anglers target three main species of Catfish in the US: Flathead Catfish, Blue Catfish, and Channel Catfish. Here’s a brief overview of what to expect from each:
- Flathead Catfish. These Cats are solitary, hard to find, and put up a serious fight once you hook them. Flathead Catfish are probably the toughest Catfish to catch. They live throughout the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio River basins and show up between North Dakota and Erie, and from the Florida Panhandle into Mexico. Flatheads usually max out at around 100 pounds, but monsters have tipped the scales at 120 pounds in the past. They’re easy to tell apart from other species, with a long body and a flattened head (hence the name).
- Blue Catfish. These Cats are the biggest and most prized of America’s Catfish. They can grow to mammoth sizes, with the all-tackle record weighing in at an incredible 143 pounds. The great thing about Blue Cats is that they’re not as solitary as Flatheads. This makes for a much more action-packed fishing trip. They live in the same range as Flatheads but are usually limited to deeper waters in lakes and main river sections. They like to hang out around strong currents where they wait to ambush their prey.
- Channel Catfish. A lot smaller than their blue and flat-headed cousins, Channel Catfish usually don’t top 20 pounds, and anglers are more looking for numbers than size when targeting them. You do get the occasional monster, though, with fish in the 50 lb range. While not the biggest Cats on the block, they do get around. You can catch Channel Cats pretty much everywhere east of the Rocky Mountains and well into both Mexico and Canada. You can also differentiate them from Blues by their more rounded tails and fewer rays on their anal fins.
These aren’t the only Cats out there, however. Bullhead Catfish and White Catfish are equally intriguing species in North America, whereas Wels Catfish are all the rage in Europe. Meanwhile, Giant Mekong Catfish dominate many fisheries in Asia.
Reasons to Fish for Catfish
Catfish grow huge, taste great, and put up a heck of a fight. What’s not to love about them? Let’s dig deeper into their traits and see exactly what makes anglers go after them…
Here’s a list of our top five reasons to go Catfish fishing… We’re looking forward to reading yours in the comment section below the article!
- Game quality. Massive, stubborn, and strong, Catfish possess all the qualities you look for in your angling opponents – and they also grow to brag-worthy trophy sizes as well. Don’t believe us? Go ahead and try wrestling a 100 lb Blue or play tug-of-war with a fierce Flathead on hook and line! You’ll quickly realize you need to up your game if you want to outsmart and outpower them.
- Variety. The beauty of fishing for Catfish is that you have options. You can target multiple varieties or specialize in going after one species only, which isn’t a small feat and may take a lifetime until you perfect your approach. You won’t lack rivals with beasts such as Blue, Flathead, Channel, White, and Bullhead Catfish available.
- Expertise. Catfish fishing isn’t reserved solely for seasoned anglers. Beginners are welcome to try their luck at landing these monsters, too. This guide’s purpose is to equip first-timers with useful tips on how to go about their hunt. But remember that to become an expert and master the art of catfishing, you’ll need more than reading. So, get out on the water and start practicing!
- Different approaches. Practicing also means trying out different methods and figuring out what works and what doesn’t. What’s more productive, nighttime or daytime catfishing? Are your odds better in summer or winter? Is stink bait great for every type of Catfish? We can give you tips on what usually brings results, but your approach may vary greatly depending on the conditions, fishery, location, and exact species. And that’s where the fun is! Mix and match until you find your perfect combo.
- Excellent food. You’ll be pleased to read that Catfish make for excellent table fare. Once you come out victorious from your battle, you’ll not only be blessed with a great story but you’ll also be rewarded with a delicious dinner. Blue and Channel Catfish, for example, have white, tender, and delicate meat. Channel Catfish, meanwhile, is highly valued due to its nutritional flesh. You can fry, grill, or smoke them, and the bites will always be finger-licking good!
Catfish Fishing Seasons
You may think that catfishing is just a summer thing. Sure, summer is the best time to find Catfish, but you can catch them year-round. It’s not uncommon to even catch Channel Cats through the ice! It varies based on the species, but the general rule of thumb is that they like deep, slow-moving water in winter and shallower, faster water in summer.
Another stereotype about Catfish is that you have to catch them at night. Most people do go catfishing after dark, but that doesn’t mean you can’t land monsters during the day. Here’s a short overview of catfishing during the night and day:
- Nightime Catfishing. There are two good reasons to go catfishing at night – it’s a lot cooler and the fish show up in much shallower waters. Catfish also feel safer in open water under the cover of darkness. They’re scent-based hunters, so they have no problem tracking down forage in the dark. Flatheads are the most nocturnal species that love to move out of their hiding holes at night.
- Daytime Catfishing. You can also land Flatheads in the sunshine by working the cover they tend to hide in. Meanwhile, Blue and Channel Cats seem to feed on their own schedule, regardless of the time of day. But one thing to bear in mind is that monster Blues will be more active by day if there’s a strong current to hunt in. In slow-moving waters, they mainly hunt at night. Also, catching Catfish during the day is a lot easier aboard a boat because you can get out to deeper waters. You can also fish from shore, but you’ll have to cast accurately to deeper holes.
Best Catfish Fishing Spots
While you can target Catfish almost everywhere across the globe, we can’t help but point to Texas and Louisiana as two of the best states for catfishing. With the state Blue Catfish record at 121.5 pounds, Texas will always be number one on the list of go-to Catfish fishing spots. But Louisiana isn’t lagging too far behind, either. With the Mississippi River under its roof, Louisiana can brag about 100 lb monsters, too. Believe it or not, a 12-year-old boy landed a 114 lb Blue right near the Mississippi River, taking down the previous record of 110 pounds!
Long story short, neither Texas nor Louisiana lacks record-breaking specimens. This goes for all Catfish species, not just Blues. Plus, these are also two of the states where noodling is legal! So, let’s give them the spotlight they deserve. Take a look at two articles below and learn how to go catfishing in these states:
If you’re curious as to what the best Catfish fishing spots in each state are, here’s a list of the ultimate hotspots to check out:
Once you conquer these waters, feel free to explore other parts of the world and see what Channel Catfish fishing in northern Mexico or southern Canada is like. Hit big-river waters in Missouri in search of Blue Catfish or check out what Minnesota’s Bullhead fisheries have in store for you. You can also discover White Catfish nooks in New York and Florida, or go as far as Thailand looking for Giant Mekong Catfish. The whole world is your Catfish fishing playground!
Fishing Tips for Catfish
Depending on the species you’re targeting, different methods apply. We’ll outline the most useful Catfish fishing tips below, but if you want to dig deeper into what lures, baits, and techniques you should try, read these three articles:
You can fish for Catfish in all kinds of surprising ways, from trolling and fly fishing to noodling. But there are two classic tactics that bring in the most fish: still fishing and drift fishing. Drifting baits under a bobber is especially effective on lakes where there’s less current to spread your scent trail.
Speaking of baits, try small live sunfish for Flathead, live or cut threadfin shad for Blues, and fresh dead bait or stink bait for Channel Cats. As for lures, go for weighted jig heads, spinnerbaits, or crankbaits.
Baitcasting reels are also the way to go for big Cats. When choosing a rod, go for a sturdy holder and fast-action rod with plenty of backbone and bend in the tip to set the hook properly. A 6′ medium-power rod is good for small Channel Cats, while a 7′ medium-heavy rod is perfect for big Blues. Catfish rarely patrol clear waters, so use a 20–30 lb monofilament line for Blues or a 12–15 lb line for Channel Catfish.
Lastly, it’s useful to know where to look for Catfish. Flathead Catfish like current and don’t venture far off the bottom. Blues hunt in open waters around single pieces of structure in lakes or confluences in rivers. Channel Cats can hide anywhere – rocks, boulders, logs, holes, old tires – as long as their cover breaks up the main current and helps them hide and attack prey.
Catfish Fishing Regulations
Fishing regulations concerning Catfish vary depending on the location. But one thing is certain – you’ll need a valid freshwater fishing license from the country or state where you plan to go catfishing.
In addition to all the necessary permits, pay attention to bag and size restrictions. Let’s take a quick look at Texas. There’s no minimum or maximum length for Blues but, if you catch Flathead, make sure it’s not smaller than 18 inches. Also, the daily bag for Blues is 10, whereas that limit is 5 for Flathead.
Last but not least, even though you’re casting within the same country or state, rules can differ from fishery to fishery. In Louisiana, for example, there are state-wide rules regarding the legal size of your Blue and Channel Catfish catches. These rules, however, do not apply to Caddo Lake, Sabine River, and Toledo Bend Reservoir where there aren’t any length restrictions.
Long story short, read the rules and regulations carefully before your Catfish fishing trip. Here are some links that can help you prepare for the upcoming adventure:
- Texas Parks and Wildlife
- Missouri Department of Conservation
- Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries
Catfish Fishing FAQs
