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Some Basics of Catfishing Catfishing remains a great deal of fun because, well, catfish can grow very huge and can give a more significant fight than most people realize. And then there is the issue of the uniqueness of how to go about catching catfish. It is not identical to the other methods that are commonly employed which are why catfishing deserves a closer look. For some, the notion of catfishing entails adding a nightcrawler to a hook and throwing it out into the water. Well, this method may work with some success but there are other more effective means that can be employed to attract a catfish. Specifically, you may wish to use a live bait that smells rather rank. Some might wonder how and why a bait that smells bad is employed in a catfish excursion. The reason is that catfish find food sources through the use of smell. In many ways, catfish can be considered carrion since they find food due to rotting tendencies of dead flesh. Sounds kind of yucky doesn't it? Well, why not take this yuckiness and put it to your own benefit. Common baits that attract catfish include rotting cheese and dough. Sometimes, chicken blood is mixed into the cheese and dough mixes to add to the strong scent. Know, some may be wondering about how they are expected to make such concoctions. Honestly, there is no reason to make anything on your own. Such pre-mixed items can be purchased in a bait and tackle shop. And, for those that want a truly oily and bloody bait, chicken livers can be employed as well. These baits will certainly prove attractive to a catfish which is why they are so popular. However, it is important that you avoid placing your bait under the nose of smaller catfish as opposed to the rather large ones that are a lot of fun to purchase. Did you know that the larger catfish are closer to the shore than the smaller ones? As odd as it sounds, this is how catfish have a tendency to ‘hang' as they will monitor the smaller catfish that opt to keep a distance from the large ones. The reason for this should be obvious: the smaller ones do not want to be eaten by the larger ones! (No, catfish do not exclusively eat carrion) So, do no cast your line out as far as possible when fishing from a shore bank. Cast closer to the shoreline since this is where the big ones are. Using a treble hook is not wise to use since this makes it easier for the hook to sink into the catfish's mouth, and can cause great damage to the fish, and more than likely the fish will die. . When you reel in the catfish and it appears to be a heavy one, do not try to force the fish to shore. This could lead to the line snapping. Also, beware of the barbs on the catfish since they can pierce the skin. Thankfully, there are devices you can purchase to compress the ‘neck' of the catfish and pull it onto shore or into a boat. Does catfishing sound tough? It really isn't. It is a fun process and those motivated to hit the lakes may find success likely. But rest assured, there is an alternative to choosing which bait to use, as there is now a baitcup on the market that will allow you to keep your bait, while at the same time, allow you to avoid the snags when you’e reeling in to check your bait or catching the fish. It’s a well kept secret, but if you browse around, you’ll be able to find it. Then, you can have a true catfishing experience. |