| Catfish have a very tuned sensory system that | | | | blue catfish in current or trying to anchor your catfish |
| allows them to taste catfish bait from sometimes 15 | | | | bait for flathead catfish you will need much larger bell |
| ft away. They can smell and taste very small | | | | sinkers typically from 3 ounces to 8 ounces. The size |
| concentrations of your catfish bait when it dissolves | | | | you select will be determined by how large your bait |
| in the water and can detect them from some | | | | is and how strong the current is. |
| distances away. This is definitely an advantage on | | | | First tie on the three way swivel to your main fishing |
| any waters where there is a current because the | | | | line, then tie on a 6 to 24 inch dropper that has your |
| smell and taste drift down stream. It is also a distinct | | | | bell sinker attached. Then tie on the quick hit rig to |
| advantage in murky waters where sight is impaired. | | | | the last open eye on the three way swivel. |
| There are many catfish anglers who prefer prepared | | | | To make your quick hit fishing rig tie the lead treble |
| baits, and there are many fishing situations where | | | | hook on to a 12 to 30 inch leader using an improved |
| they do work very well but our article today will only | | | | clinch knot. Next, tie the second treble hook about 4" |
| concentrate on natural catfish baits. | | | | away from the lead treble hook using a snell or |
| Cut baits work great as catfish baits in rivers, lakes, | | | | uni-knot. You will want to use a gizzard shad for your |
| ponds, and reservoirs because most catfish such as | | | | catfish bait in the 8 inch to 10 inch size range. Insert |
| blue catfish and channel catfish feed on dead fish as | | | | just one of the hooks of the lead treble right behind |
| part of their diets. Also cut baits work well because | | | | the shad's head in the upper flesh area. Next insert |
| they immediately release small particles into the | | | | just one of the hooks of the lead treble behind the |
| water and create a smell and taste trail for any blue | | | | dorsal fin in the top flesh area. |
| catfish or channel catfish in the area. During the | | | | To make a standard three way swivel rig first tie |
| summer flat head catfish will normally only feed on | | | | your three way swivel to the main line. Next tie your |
| live bait that is near their area such as shad, yellow | | | | dropper to one of the open leads of the three way |
| perch, pan fish and other forage fish in the area, but | | | | swivel. The dropper rig should have a bell sinker 1/2 |
| during the pre-spawn time right after ice out they will | | | | ounce for shallow water or 3 ounces to 8 ounces if |
| feed aggressively on dead catfish bait such as cut | | | | you are using large size catfish baits foe blue catfish |
| bait chucks. An excellent cutbait for blue catfish and | | | | and channel catfish. The leader should be 6 to 24 |
| channel catfish are oily forage fish such as skipjack | | | | inches long with a 5/0 to 7/0 hook. |
| herring, and gizzard shad. Mussels also make an | | | | To make a basic slip sinker rig slide an egg sinker on |
| excellent catfish bait fresh or seasoned in sour milk | | | | your line then tie on a 5/0 to 7/0 hook. Then clamp |
| for a few days. | | | | on a split shot sinker up the line 6 to 24 inches from |
| There are some basic cut bait fishing rigs that work | | | | the hook. This type of slip sinker fishing rig tend to |
| well for different fishing situations. The types of | | | | hang up quite often and many fisherman use the |
| catfish rigs we will mention are quick hit rigs, three | | | | modified slip sinker rig instead, because of this reason. |
| way swivel fishing rigs, a basic slip sinker rig, modified | | | | To make a modified slip sinker fishing rig slide a 1/2 |
| slip sinker rig, and a basic slip bobber fishing rig. | | | | to 4ounce bell sinker up the line. Next tie on a two |
| A quick hit fishing rig is used a lot to fish for flat head | | | | way swivel. The tie on a 6 to 24 inch leader with a 5 |
| and blue catfish. To make a quick hit rig you will need | | | | 0 to 7/0 hook. |
| two number 2 to 1/0 treble hooks, a three way | | | | Well that concludes my article on catfish baits and |
| swivel, and a bell sinker large enough to keep your | | | | fishing rigs. Have a nice day and we wish you the |
| live bait close to the bottom In shallow water areas a | | | | best of luck on your next fishing trip. |
| 1/2 ounce will usually work but if you are fishing for | | | | |