Catfish Fishing Tips

Catfish Fishing Tips

Catfish can be found across the Buckeye State, but they vary in types and sizes. Whether it is bullheads in farm
ponds, channel catfish and flathead catfish in reservoirs and rivers, or blue catfish in the Ohio River, many
anglers seek catfish not only for their fight, but for their table fare as well. Catfish sustain populations
by natural reproduction in many habitats, but is not true in all of Ohio’s smaller reservoirs, many of which
are stocked with channel catfish by the Division of Wildlife.

TIPS

Anglers use a variety of scented baits since a catfish’s sense of smell and taste is excellent. The most effective baits include cut shad, prepared blood bait, chicken livers, shrimp and nightcrawlers. Keep tackle simple. When fishing on the bottom use a fixed or slip sinker and when fishing the surface or suspended, try either a slip or fixed float. Hook sizes range from size 4 to 6/0 depending upon the size of fish you are seeking and the size of bait that you are using. Having a strike indicator is a good idea for catching catfish. Catfish do not “hit and run” like other fish, instead they move very slowly away with baits.