subject: Techniques To Catch More Freshwater Channel Catfish [print this page] Do you enjoy seeking out the freshwater channel catfish? Would you like to know how you can catch more of them each time you go fishing? Then you've come to the right place. The channel catfish is a unique species that has all the qualities to make reeling them in fun and exciting. They may not be as large as some of the other species of cats but that doesn't make them any less thrilling.
The channel catfish will put up a struggle that you won't forget and their size makes them available for the average fisherman to enjoy. In other words, you don't need any special equipment to seek them out and you don't need any special skills. They're a sleek but muscular fish that makes sitting on a bank or fishing from a boat fun, exciting and rewarding.
The channel cat has a cylinder shaped body and sharp spines on its dorsal and pectoral fins. They have barbells around the mouth, under the jaw and on each side of their upper jaw. They don't have any scales but you will notice a forked tail and a spotted body.
There is no other species that looks quite like the channel catfish. However, the channel cat is a bottom feeder. Therefore, you'll need to use a technique that will allow you to get the bait down on the bottom where they'll be feeding the most aggressively.
Below are three techniques to catch more freshwater channel catfish every time you go fishing:
1. Still Fishing - This technique is an excellent one that can prove to be very effective. It allows you to get the bait to the bottom where they'll see it without disturbing the fish. However, you will need to work on finding the right depth for the best results.
2. Drift Fishing -This technique is very popular because it will allow the bait to move downstream through the school of channel cats, just like the natural prey moves. This will entice them to strike.
3. Casting - When casting for channel cats you need to make sure you have a medium power spin cast rod and reel or a bait casting rod (if you're experienced with one of these). Once you locate where the cats are, you can start by working your way from the outside of the school to the center. This way, you won't spook them before you have a chance to reel in a nice catch.
