Catfish Question?

[SinCityHustler]

Ive always fished for trout and bass. I want to try fishing for catfish sometime, but I need to know how to set up a line for it. Do you use a leader? If so how long? or a snelled hook with a weight at the bottom? How long? Any advise or tips will be greatly appreciated, thanks.
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[Spokane_Angler]

Up here in Washington the cats dont get that big in my area so we just use a standard snelled hook, a worm, and maybe some lower form of stinkbait. Here they will pretty much bite into anything. Last I checked in Eastern Washington they had no size or limit restrictions and me and 3 other people caught almost 40 one right after the other. That was 11 years ago tho but I bet its the same. The bigger the Catfish the better setup you would need. They love to put up a decent fight.
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[Tarpon4me]

First and foremost, welcome to the BFT message boards! Make sure and check out your local state board for local fishing reports and the other topic specific boards.

Mmmm, catfishing just happens to be one of my passions, so here I go on the "soap box." I primarily target large flathead catfish, which are plentiful in my area. Live bait is exclusive for this species. Alot of people "say" they've caught flatheads on stink bait and such, but I don't buy it. Fresh cut or live bait, mostly live bait. Using stink bait, you'll primarily catch channel catfish or bullheads; a much smaller species compared to the likes of the flathead, which can reach sizes of over 80 pounds; 30 pounds and higher are common.

To tackle large cats, you'll need a rod and reel combo with a little back bone. I use Abu Garcia 6500 bait casters spooled with 20 lb line, though most catters use 30+ line. Personally, I like sport. I utilize a carolina rig with a braided 40 pound steel leader about 24 inches long with a 7/0 circle hook.(can also use a kahl hook) Topple that with a 6 or 7 inch long live bream hooked through the back, and you're good to go. Any live bait will work: Shad, suckers, carp, bream, smaller channel cats, crappie......you get the idea

Normally, i'll find a deep hole with some structure, like around bridge pilons, and drop it right on the bottom. I'll let it set up to 45 minutes, and i'll adjust fire. Sometimes the big cats are lazy during the day, so you've gotta get it pretty close to intice them. Night fishing for cats is a little different, but I primarily day fish for them.
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[Dubie]

Well, no flatheads where I am, but there's a decent Channel Cat Fishery on the Red River. I usualy use a slip sinker, big enough to hold it on the bottom of the river, tie on a foot or so 20lb leader, I usualy use whatever larger hook I got in the box at the time. (Careful what you pick. Larger cats have been known to bend hooks). I use 15 pound line on a spinning reel, that being the only fishing rod I own for all types of fishing. Dead shrimp seems to work best, though any chunk of meat you can get your hands on will catch em. Find out where the fish are in your area, cast your rig out, and hold on. I've had a less carefuly attended rod pulled of my proping stick and into the water once...
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[Fishhound]

[black][size 3]Hey SinCityHustler,[/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]Going out on a limb here - are you from Vegas ? [/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]What kind of cats are you fishing for ? The answer can make a big difference as to what gear you set up or what kind of bait you use.[/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]Here's an example of what I mean:[/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]Bullheads(Mudcats) - Medium light action fresh water spinning rod and reel with 4 to 8 pound line, size 8-1/0 hook,worms/grubs/hoppers/minnows/small pieces of cut bait.[/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]Channel cats - Medium action fresh water spinning or casting rod and reel with 8 to 12 pound test, size 2-4/0 hook, worms/minnows/chicken livers/shrimp/cut bait/stink bait.[/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]Flatheads/blues - Medium heavy or heavy action fresh water casting rod and reel with 12 to 35 pound test, size 2/0 - 6/0 hook, Cut baits/live baits.[/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]Depending on the species or location, you can set up your rig with or without any weight to fish on the bottom or some other place in the water column. As a general rule, catfish are on the bottom, but, all of the species of Catfish also feed the entire water column and can be caught at any depth with the appropriate rigging and offering.[/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]Let us know where(the kind of body of water) and which species of Catfish you want to target and/or is available in your area, and we can get a little more specific with the details of rigging and techniques we would use. [/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]All of these rigging suggestions can be adjusted according to where you are fishing and what specific species or size of Catfish you plan to target. By the way, you can also catch Catfish on a Fly Rod.[/size][/black]
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[SinCityHustler]

Thank for your input guys. Yeah, I guess I wass a little vague on the details. The lakes around here dont have flatheads and blues (at least I dont think). I believe they stock them with channels and not too sure about the bullheads. The ones I've seen caught are usually 4-12 (maybe 15)pounders so they are not too big. If someone can give me a set up to use for this type od cats I would appreciate it, a picture would be awesome!

BTW: Thanks for your warm welcome. I used to live in Vegas, but Now I reside in So.Cal.
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[Rockabilly714]

Hey SinCity were are you fishing at in socal thats were i am from im in orange county
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[tubeN2]

Another So Cal fisherdude here too.[cool]

What area are you in?? I'm in the SFV.[cool]
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[SinCityHustler]

Hey 714 and tuben2, nice to meet u guys. I'm in San Dimas, next to Puddingstone. I usually go out to the Santa Ana River Lakes (pretty close to you 714 right?)or Corona Lake but sometimes go to Castaic or Pyramid or the Rock Quarries in Azusa/Irwindale when I'm not out dirtbike riding with the family or at the dragstrip. I've always wanted to try fishing for catfish but never really got around to it. I've gotten some good info so I'm think I might try it soon. This weekend I'm going to go out to Lake Gregory, they are having a Trout Derby, and maybe Monday go out of 22nd St in San Pedro. Where do you guys fish?
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[Rockabilly714]

I am fishing this weekend at santa ana river they are having the pre catfish opener i am going friday till saturday.
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[tubeN2]

I'm headed up to Bishop this weekend. I will hit Castaic on the way back.

Let me know when you want to soak a line at Castaic. We could hit the upper or the lower lake. I have been fishing that lake for the last 22 years.[cool]
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[SinCityHustler]

Cool, will do. Good luck this weekend!
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