In touch with the world ... at home on the High Plains

Catfishin: Rig Your Line, Choose Your Bait

Your browser doesn’t support HTML5 audio

Howdy Folks.  This week I'm still trying to make Cindee into a fisherman- to be more specific- a catfisher. 

Last week we talked about how cats like deeper water this time of year- 22-24 foot deep.  If you can find shade over a ledge or cavity, or a creek feeding into the lake, you have a good chance to find catfish.  

This week, I'll briefly cover baits and fishing rigs.  As far as rigs go, I like to use an 18" leader with a number 4, extra strong, treble hook.  You can use a lighter hook, but you'll lose a bunch of fish.  I also use a bell weight to get that set up down deep in the water.  

Now, to the bait.  The first rule is the stinkier the better.  A fish is not about sight.  Its skin is designed to smell.  The second rule is that bait has got to stay on your hook.  A loose bait does not do a thing to get a fish in your boat.  I prefer punch bait, but old fashioned chicken livers work, and so does a night crawler.

Next time I'll share a secret about bringing the fish to you.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Outdoors writer, radio host and book author Luke Clayton has been addicted to everything outdoors related since his childhood when he grew up hunting and fishing in rural northeast Texas. Luke pens a weekly newspaper column that appears in over thirty newspapers.
  1. Oklahoma releases updated guidelines about mercury in fish
  2. Oklahoma hunting and fishing license fees could rise for first time in decades
  3. Kansans Can Fish Without A License This Weekend
  4. Despite Dry Conditions, Fishing In Southeast Colorado As Good Or Better Than Ever
  5. Bill that would have allowed increased hunting/fees dies in Colorado Senate