subject: Techniques When Using Catfish Fishing Tackle [print this page] Techniques When Using Catfish Fishing Tackle
If you've got all the catfish fishing tackle you've been told will land you a monster, but are still yet to get your photo on the forums with a beauty, then hopefully this article may help share some tips and ideas to set you off in the right direction.
The catfish comes from quite a diverse group of fish accordingly named for their prominent barbels that look similar to a cat's. The catfish family ranges significantly in both size and form, from the smaller Cory Catfish, to the Giant Catfish of Southeast Asia. Catfish are important as both a source of food as well as a popular sport fish. Though perhaps not being the most beautiful of fish the common catfish being scaleless like the eel they are highly regarded as a prize fish due to their reputation for growing to considerable sizes and not giving up a fight easily! Catfish fishing tackle can range significantly, but in general centres around ledgering techniques since catfish can often be found towards the waterbed, and appears to like to hide in dark quiet waters, particularly where sheltered by shrubs and overhanging foliage.
If you have suitable catfish fishing tackle or indeed tackle that suitable for ledgering for the larger fish, probably the best way to get the most from your gear is to choose the correct bait. By all means, it is better to speak to a local fisherman that fishes your spot regularly, as species will vary as well as habits, but by and large deadbaiting and using the right live baits works a charm. Popular deadbaits include eels, roach, carp and rudd, and as previously mentioned, look for sheltered spots where you think the catfish might be likely to hide. When it comes to using live baits with your catfish fishing tackle, you can use the same species as already mentioned and can be fished off the bottom or just below the surface of the water.
Catfish are a great fish to hunt at night time, and you may find them easier to target too. Don't forget if you're going to give this a go, to add to you catfish fishing tackle extra warm clothing and night-fishing gear such as might-lights for your floats, bite-alarms, a bivvy bag or a bed chair and extra smelly' bait!
