Tips on Channel Catfish Fishing

Heavy Duty Fishing Rods & Reels

Heavy-duty fishing rods and reels are proper tackle to use when fishing for channel catfish that weigh 5 lbs. or more. Channel catfish place a tremendous amount of stress on a rod and reel. Anglers should consider a long rod--between 5 to 7 feet in length--with a stiff backbone but a flexible tip.

Using Strong Fishing Line

Amateurs, as well as many veteran anglers, often overlook fishing line. An angler's line must be stout enough to fight and land large channel catfish. Choose a 15 to 25 lb. test line for fishing big lakes, rivers, and streams. Large channel catfish weighing 10 to 20 lbs., will find it hard to break the line.

Live Minnows

According to All About Fishing, natural or live bait is the most effective way to catch channel catfish. Minnows are a natural food which channel catfish cannot resist. When fishing, a live minnow a fishermens hook is either inserted in their mouths or through the fleshy area of its back. When in the water, the minnow will make erratic darts and wiggle as it struggles to get free. The resulting movements catch the eyes channel catfish, as well as other predatory fish. Anglers may find it difficult to keep other species, like bass, off the hook before a channel cat bites. Therefore, anglers should cast live minnows in locations where channel catfish would most likely, lurk.

Standard Two-Hook Rig

According to Field and Stream, the most common catfish style-fishing rig is the standard two hooks and sinker. Two-hook catfish rigs are effective when fishing under in deep murky water. Anglers tie two hooks 6 inches to 1 foot apart on a leader, which is then tied to a three-way swivel. A heavy lead weight is attached to the bottom of the swivel. On completion, anglers can offer channel catfish a choice of baits because the rig has two hooks.