Catfish Fishing

Fishing from small boats, large boats, middle size boats, rafts, the bank.......anything, you can catch catfish. They are first on the list of my favorite fish because of the abundant opportunities to catch them, their long seasonal feeding range (in Arkansas March - November), their range, i.e. lakes, rivers, creeks, ponds, and the variety of baits that will catch them. Everything from hot dogs, to dip bait, to cut skipjack, numerous live baits and anything else that smells good to them (which is most everything).

From Ozark Jetta Taylor L&D

From Ozark Jetta Taylor L&D

From Delaware Bay Lake Dardanelle

And when out fishing for average size catfish of 1-4 pounds, you never know when you'll hook up with an unexpected monster from the deep that will tear your snoopy pole to pieces. It pays to fish for all size catfish with strong equipment.....just in case. Many an angler, while fishing for the skillet has hooked up with a 30 - 40 -50 lb monster and bigger. The current world record blue and flathead catfish are both in the 125 lb range and the world record channel cat is nearly 60 lbs. The largest flathead ever caught was caught on my stomping grounds back in the 80s when a couple of guys, running a snagline on the Arkansas River, lifted a 139 lb flathead out from below the Terry Lock and Dam just downstream from Little Rock, Arkansas. It didn't qualify for a world record because it was caught on a snagline, but it remains the largest flathead catfish recorded anywhere.

I don't go out fishing specifically for big fish. I like numbers because I like to eat fish and I have a short attention span and low boredom threshold. In other words I like fast and furious action and full stringers. The places I fish for catfish regularly provide that for me nine months out of the year, from the tailwaters of huge dams on the Arkansas River to backwater bays and creek channels in sheltered areas.

Night fishing has become another favorite of mine over just the last few years. I typically put out about 15-20 juglines before dark and then go rod and reel fishing for a few hours. Then I take out a big spotlight and go chase the jugs around the bay or creek I have them in. My freezer stays full of catfish fillets year round.

My favorite catfish bait, bar none, is Danny King's punch bait. I've never seen anything like it. The stuff makes catfish bite like they have a death wish when nothing else seems to work. The bait is now a favorite of catfish tournament fishermen also, and that's a good sign for the rest of us. I'll have details on how I use it, and on the various techniques and baits I use to catch lots of catfish in the "Fishing Techniques" section.

And finally, catfish are taylor made for fishing from small boats. Because they are found in nearly every freshwater aquatic environment, you can find and catch some from most any kind of watercraft nearly year round.

So, catfish are number one on my list because they provide excitement, abundance, a long active feeding season, and some excellent table fare. Catfish rule in my fishing world.