What weights should I use for catfish?
Catfish aren’t line-shy, so you can use light or heavy fishing line as situations dictate. High-strength, small-diameter monofilaments testing 15 to 25 pounds are good inexpensive choices for all-round use, but when hunting the big boys, you may have to upgrade to 30-, 40-, even 80-pound-test.
What are sinker slides used for?
Sinker slides allow the use of many different types of weight and work with virtually any catfish rig. Sinker slides work great for many catfishing techniques but they’re a favorite among anglers drift fishing for catfish or trolling because they allow for quick and easy changes of weights.
What is the best rig for catfish?
egg sinker slip rig
The egg sinker slip rig is, hands down, the most popular rig for still fishing catfish. Consisting of an egg sinker on the main line held in place above the hook by a lead shot, this rig is ideal for keeping the bait near the bottom, which in turn, allows a catfish to swim off with the bait with little tension.
What size hooks for catfish?
The optimal size for channel catfish is typically a 2/0 or 3/0 hook when using a Kahle hook. If you choose circle hooks for small to medium-sized channel catfish then a 5/0 or 6/0 size will usually work best.
How do you rig a catfish in a river?
Three-Way Rig To rig, tie your mainline to one eye of a three-way swivel. To one of the remaining two eyes, attach a short 12-18 inch piece of line and then secure a ½ to 2 ounce donut sinker (depending on depth and current). To the last eye, tie another 2-4 foot piece of line, and then your hook.
What is the best time of day to fish for catfish?
The best time of day to catch 3-seasons catfish is from an hour before sunset until 2 hours after sunrise and during the winter, from late morning until just before sunset. These are not hard and fast rules, but you will find the most active and hungry catfish consistently biting in these windows.
What attracts catfish the most?
Here are our top bait recommendations for catching big numbers of channels, flatheads and blues.
- Worms. Worms are classic catfish bait.
- Shad and Minnows. Like worms, shad and minnows have mass appeal.
- Stink Bait. Unlike worms and minnows, stink bait only appeals to catfish.
- Anything from the Fridge.
- Soap.
What kind of sinker slides do you use for catfish?
Sinker slides allow the use of many different types of weight and work with virtually any catfish rig. Sinker slides work great for many catfishing techniques but they’re a favorite among anglers drift fishing for catfish or trolling because they allow for quick and easy changes of weights.
What kind of rig do catfish anglers use?
Learn more about these knots in the four fishing knots every catfish angler should know. Tie the swivel to the leader using a Palomar knot. Slide an egg sinker, no roll sinker or other sliding sinker on the main line (fishing line going to your reel). Slide a bead or sinker bumper on the main line after the sinker.
Why are sinker slides used in fishing rigs?
The sinker slide allows you to swap weights quickly and easily without having to cut fishing line and tie new rigs. There’s always been one flaw with traditional sinker slides though, they can be a nightmare when you’re not fishing!
What kind of leader line do you use for catfish?
The heavier weight leader line helps serve as a shock absorber during aggressive strikes as well as additional abrasion resistance for the rough mouth of a catfish. Hook: Any hook will work for the most part so you’re preferred option is fine. For channel catfish fishing with prepared baits we prefer a #4 or #6 4X strong treble hook.