| Many catfish anglers frequent pay lakes for the | | | | located. Also ask where known submerged structure |
| opportunity to catch a trophy catfish. Many time | | | | is located. |
| these anglers do not have boats or the fishing savvy | | | | The ideal spot to set up for your bait fishing catfish |
| to hunt for the big catfish in the wild. But many of | | | | trip in a paylake is 6 to 8ft deep flats near to the |
| these anglers never catch a trophy cat because they | | | | deep water. Also find areas with submerged rock and |
| don't position themselves correctly to catch these | | | | wood cover that are adjacent to the shallower flats |
| large catfish at these pay lake pounds. | | | | and ledges.. Normally the big catfish in pay lakes will |
| Catch trophy blue catfish, channel catfish, and | | | | be close to lots of cover and the deep water. |
| flathead catfish at pay lakes there's a few tips and | | | | The best catfish baits for pay lakes are natural bait |
| techniques you need to know to be successful. Many | | | | fish such as goldfish, creek chubs, and shiners. The |
| times if a pay to fish area has multiple ponds, the | | | | ideal size for these baits are 3 to 4 inches in length. If |
| pond with the trophy catfish will be separate from | | | | you are targeting large catfish such as blue catfish, |
| the other ponds. Also if there are multiple ponds. | | | | channel catfish or flathead catfish in pay lakes you |
| chances are one will be stocked with channel catfish | | | | need to have heavy tackle too match your prey. A |
| in the 1 ½ to 3 lb range specifically for table | | | | surf rod 7 to 8ft in length, medium power and either |
| fare or for the novice fisherman. | | | | a bait casting or open face reel designed to be |
| Just like in the wild blue catfish, channel catfish, and | | | | spooled with 25lb to 50lb test line. My preference in |
| flathead catfish will relate to structure that is located | | | | line type is a fireline. |
| in the pond. If any where in the pond there is are | | | | A catfish fishing rig for a pay lake is a good hardy |
| known submerged debris or tree trunks the big | | | | large slip bobber rig. To make a slip bobber rig slide |
| catfish will be close by. Also, if you do not want to | | | | the bobber stop up the line firs. Next slide your 6" to |
| compete with other fisherman fish your local pay | | | | 8" long slip bobber up the line first. If you are night |
| lakes at night. Get to your local pay lake before dark | | | | fishing I recommend you get one with a small |
| so you can pick the right spot to catch your trophy | | | | battery powered led light on top. This will help see |
| catfish. If you can find a submerged stump close to | | | | your bobber at night. Next tie on a two way ball |
| shore that is great because big flathead catfish, | | | | bearing swivel to the line. And last tie a 6 to 8" leader |
| channel catfish, and blue catfish cruise the shore lines | | | | with a 6/0 to 7/0 hook. The large hooks are |
| at night. | | | | important. Next either fish your catfish bait live by |
| There are questions you need to ask the pay lake | | | | hooking right through or just behind the dorsal fin. Or |
| proprietor before spending your money. First ask to | | | | if you are fishing dead cut bait, cut your bait fish into |
| see a list of the types of fish and their weights that | | | | large chunks and put them on your hook. Make sure |
| are stocked in the ponds. Next if there are multiple | | | | the barb of the hook is exposed. |
| ponds get specifics on which pond or ponds hold the | | | | Well folks that concludes my article about bait fishing |
| trophy catfish. Next ask how deep the ponds are | | | | for catfish at pay lakes. May your next fishing trip be |
| Just a note, the deeper the pond the better. If the | | | | a success! Have a great day! |
| pond has a deep hole ask specifically where it is | | | | |