Do you enjoy going catfish fishing? Many anglers do. In fact, catfish is one of the most popular species of fish there is. They taste great and they can put up one heck of a battle that will certainly give you a run for your money. However, the one thing that you don't want to do is go catfish fishing unprepared. If you do, you will end up regretting it.

Catfish may be one of the most sought after fish there is but they can also be one of the hardest to catch. If you are not prepared when you go out, you will either not get any bites or you will not be able to reel them in. Catfish will put up one powerful fight and weak equipment will simply not get the job done.
Plus, they can be some really giant sizes that will be hard to pull in. Therefore, before you go catfish fishing you need to be prepared. This way you can show friends and family the giant cat you caught instead of telling the story about how he got away.

Preparing Your Tackle Box

When you are getting things ready to go catfish fishing the tackle box is a very important item. Therefore, you should start by preparing your tackle box. Most likely you have collected quite a bit of tackle throughout the years. You probably have a favorite fishing rod, reel and even lures that you prefer using every time you go out. Now you need to take all of this equipment and organize it.

The first thing that you will need is a good strong tackle box. If you need to go out and buy one then pick something a little bigger than you think you would need. This will give you room for growth and adding to your box later on. The main requirement of a tackle box is durability. It needs to be strong, rust proof and waterproof. However, keep in mind that if water can seep in through the cracks of the box, then it needs to have removable parts. This way you can open it up and let everything dry out to prevent your gear from molding.
Another thing that you must consider is whether or not you will be carrying your tackle box around with you. For instance, if you do a lot of shore fishing, then it needs to be lightweight. If you always go out on the same boat fishing, then it really doesn't matter if the box is heavy. Tackle boxes are designed with compartments so you can separate your lures and hooks according to size and shape. This makes it easy to get to the right tackle you need for the size of catfish you are trying to catch. This is an important factor because you need to choose your tackle according to the size of the cats in the body of water that you are fishing.

If you fish in both saltwater and freshwater, then it is recommended that you prepare two separate tackle boxes. Saltwater catfish fishing requires different types of gear than freshwater fishing does. By having two separate boxes you won't have to waste time fumbling through one box trying to find the items you need. It is simply more convenient and organized having two tackle boxes.

Daniel Eggertsen - About the Author:

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best catfish fishing information possible. Get more information on catfish tackle here: http://www.askcatfishfishing.com/

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/catfish-tackle-preparation-be-successful-523065.html

Catfish prepared bait tackle do it yourslef video hooks leaders braided line components how tutorial, tips, products, bait preparation, secret weapon, best kept secret.
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There are a number of items that you need to consider when searching for the best catfishing reels at the right price. Having a proper reel is a critical component to your catfishing experience and will very much enhance your chances of success. Conversely, not having the appropriate reel will likely cause you to have a quite unfulfilling experience. As a word of caution, you may think that a reel, is a reel, is a reel; well, you couldn't be more wrong. Ignoring recommendations for the proper reel is inadvisable if you are looking forward to a nice catch.

Remember that the bigger cats can sometimes grow quite large; over 50 pounds is not uncommon. This means that you might want to have a reel that can withstand a lot of pressure coming from that heavy load. Also bear in mind the area from which you will be do the catfishing. Survey the possible obstacles that could snag your line and damage your reel. These considerations will likely make you decide to opt for a durable reel.

Don't forget to consider the rod and the line you plan to use to be sure it's compatible with the reel.  A medium to heavy rod that's 7 to 9 feet long in addition to a good sturdy reel wound with at least 20 pound test line should do the trick.

To help you further, here are some tips that can guide you in choosing the most appropriate reel for your catfishing:

Tip 1

Determine the kind of catfish that you want to catch. There are certain reels that are designed for specific types of catfishes. Know your fish and know your reel.

Tip 2

Your fishing reel should match your catfishing rod. This is necessary in order for all of the equipment to work perfectly as a unit.

Tip 3

Always buy quality reels that can withstand a lot of pressure and weight. Remember that catfishes are prone to grow quite large and this can put a lot of strain in your reel. Opting to buy cheaper model reels will only make you replace them more often due to the wear and tear they are likely encounter. This will cost you more in the long run as compared to buying those quality reels in the first place.

Tip 4

You can also check the gear ratio of the catfishing reel that you would want to buy. Gear ratio is the number of revolutions that the spool will make during each complete turn of the handle. When choosing the right gear ratio, remember the place where you will need it. High gear ratio will work best for quick retrievals and low gear ratios are recommended for bottom fishing

Tip 5

Choose a reel which is based on your skill level and experience. It is best to ask for the equipment sales person when you are looking to buy a reel. They will know best of what reel or even other equipment that will suit your needs and expertise.

Tip 6

Research the different types of reels and know the ones that will work best in every situation. There are three main types of reels and they are the spinning reel, the baitcasting reel, and the bell or the open-faced reel. Happy Catfishing!

Catfish have always been and will continue to be one of the most sought after species of fish around. They can grow to some very amazing sizes and put up a struggle you won't soon forget. However, the challenge this species provides for the fisherman is not the only reason they are so popular. They are also well-known for their great taste. There are many recipes available that provide excellent ways to cook catfish.

Many people will agree that catfish is one of the best tasting fish around. When prepared correctly it can be an irresistible meal that is also good for you.

Anyone that has never tried catfish before don't know what they are missing. The best part is that cooking catfish is really easy and fast.

Baking, grilling and frying are the three main ways to cook catfish. Either method is great depending on how you like your fish cooked. Below you will find a few common catfish recipes your family will love.

Grilled Catfish

Grilling catfish is one of the simplest methods of cooking them. Just start your grill up and when it's ready, place your catfish filets on the cooking rack. It is a good idea to spray the racks with non-stick cooking oil first. Cook the filets until they are done on one side and then turn over and cook the other side. It normally takes about five minutes on each side.

The secret to having great tasting grilled catfish is the way you prepare the filets before they are placed on the grill. One recipe calls for mixing cooking oil, ginger and soy sauce in a bowl. Place the catfish filets in a pan or dish single file and pour the mixture into the dish until both sides are covered, then marinate the filets for about twenty minutes. Now the filets are ready to be placed on the grill.

Another mixture calls for mixing together 1/2cup of olive oil, lemon juice, one stick of butter and one clove of finely chopped garlic. Once the mixture is prepared, baste the fillets and grill.

Baked Catfish

One of the most popular recipes for baking catfish is the lemon catfish recipe. It is very simple to make. Start by combining two tablespoons of melted butter and two tablespoons of lemon juice together in a bowl and set aside. Next, place seasoned salt, dill weed and lemon pepper seasoning in a bowl. You may need to experiment a little to get a combination of the right amount of these ingredients that suits your individual taste.

Next, add in about a forth a cup of dry bread crumbs and mix together thoroughly. Now what you need to do is dip each one of the catfish filets one at a time into the liquid mixture. Then dip them into the bread crumb mixture and place in an un-greased baking pan single file. Pour the remaining liquid mixture over the filets and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until done.

Tast performing Catfish, Live at the Montreux casino. (Audio only)
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Catching large catfish is, like most other things, a function of knowledge. You need to understand your prey, their habits and idiosyncrasies. You also need to understand their environment.

Let's start with the species. If you want large fish, then only three species are worth consideration in the U.S. in freshwater. They are the Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus). the Channel Catfish (Ictalurus puntatus), and the Flathead Catfish (Pylodictus olivaris). All other species are either too small to bother with, or their range is too limited.

The Blue Catfish is a true giant, and throughout 2019s range it is the largest sportfish available. Blues are a fish of large reservoirs and rivers, and especially beneath tail races in swift current. These bruisers can top 100 pounds, and 50 pounders are not uncommon.

Blue Catfish are native to the Ohio, Missouri and Mississippi River Basins, but their range has been expanded through various stocking programs. Like the Channel Catfish, they are opportunistic feeders with a varied diet, but the large ones are always caught on whole live fish, such as large shad and bluegills (where legal).

The Channel Catfish is very similar to the Blue Cat, being slightly smaller and with a greater range and tolerance for more environments. Their ranges overlap, and they often interbreed, as their spawning habits are nearly identical. Channel Cats can in excess of 50 pounds, with 20+ pounders common.

They also are fond of tailraces, but can live in smaller lakes, rivers and even farm ponds. Channel Cats are native to the Eastern US from southern Canada south to northern Mexico, east of the Rockies and the Appalachians. Their range has been expanded to almost everywhere in the US through stocking. They are also raised commercially.

Both the Blue and Channel Catfish spawn in early late spring when water temperatures approach 75 degrees. Like the Blue Cat, the largest specimens are always caught on live fish.

The Flathead Catfish is another behemoth, growing to over 4 feet long and 100+ pounds. They prefer deep pools in creeks, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, with slow current and cloudy water. They will seldom be caught directly below tailraces. Their range is from the Great Lakes south along the Mississippi River Basin to the Gulf States.

Flatheads are strictly predators and only eat live food, mainly fish. They tend to be moody, and become inactive in cold water.

The largest catfish are almost always caught on either jug lines or trot lines. Suitable rods and reels for large catfish are heavy freshwater action rods from 7-12 feet long, with powerful baitcasting reels. Your line should be no less than 20 pound test, as you will be using baits weighing in excess of 1 ounce in fast waters.

Jug lines are simply plastic sealed jugs with lines attached. They can be allowed to drift free, or anchrored to the bottom. Usually, 6-12 jug lines will be baited with live bait, using 2/0 or larger hooks, dropped from a boat and allowed to drift.

The fisherman will follow them, and when one bobs, or takes off in an unexpected direction, the line is pulled in, usually with a large, protesting catfish on the end.

I did not remember to bring the scale... damn it. In the video I estimate the weight to be about 30 pounds, but it is closer to 23 pounds. roughly 23 lbs flathead catfish fox river illinois 7-21-10 10:27 pm
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www.catfishsyndicate.com This shows pictures of the new catfish record. Was so big he couldn't get it into the boat. Much controversy but witnesses confirmed the catfish was real!

A TripAdvisor™ TripWow slideshow of a travel blog to La Selva Amazon, Ecuador by TravelPod blogger Shanewilson titled "Trek to the Amazon Jungle" Shanewilson's travel blog entry: "The last four days have been phenomenal to say the least. Taking the journey out to the Amazon Jungle was everything I expected and more. Being away from cities etc. has allowed me to return to good health, even though I suffered from a 24 hour bout of the runs on the second morning of being out in the jungle. Friday, 1st September We awoke early to attend to packing and a whole-hearted breakfast. Once again, I returned to Quito's International Airport to board the 40 minute flight to Coca. Coca is a small town on the fringe of the Amazon Rainforest... nothing spectacular but very hot and humid. On arrival in Coca, we transferred to trucks to Coca´s pier where we caught a low-level boat (similar to the ones in Malaysia) to a remote beach. The trip was beautiful, with the forest becoming increasingly dense as we progressed. We walked through primary rainforest for about 15 minutes before boarding canoes which took us to our home for the next 3 nights, La Selva (internet site www.laselvajunglelodge.com). The canoe trip took us through narrow water ways with tangled vines, lots of animal noises and shallow waters. La Selva Lodge is absolutely spectacular, situated on the banks of a huge lagoon. Shaun and I were totally taken aback by the beautiful cabins, totally made from natural materials. The ...

Catfish are popular amongst many types of fishermen. There are 37 catfish families and these species are found in both freshwater and saltwater, depending upon the type of catfish. Perhaps one of the most distinctive traits which catfish possess is their catlike whiskers, or barbels. It is hard to mistake a catfish for another type of fish due to this visible attribute.

Catfish are creatures of habit, during the day they tend to hide around submerged rocks and logs where they can shelter themselves from any possible predators. It is at nighttime when these unique fish seek out the open water to find food. Catfish are plentiful in number with regard to family and species type. They are found in various areas throughout the world although certain types of catfish stay within certain regions.

Catfish vary in size, depending on their age and what variety they are. They can range anywhere from a few inches to a few feet and come in a variety of weights as well. One unique trait which a catfish possesses, in addition to the familiar barbells, is the lack of any scales. This also makes identifying a catfish quite an easy task for beginner and advanced fishermen alike.

The catfish eats a variety of foods which come within its reach. Items such as smaller fish, water insects and more all make up the eclectic menu for the catfish. For the avid fishermen out there who target catfish as their selected catch, there are a few tips which make fishing for catfish that much easier. The first tip is to fish for these varieties at nighttime when they are out and about.

Since they tend to hide during the daylight hours, fishermen who are looking to catch catfish should do so when night falls. As for bait, there are a few items which catfish are more drawn to than others. Tantalizing items for the catfish include live bait such as shrimp, chicken liver and worms whereas lures in the form of spoons, jigs and spinners will all do the trick of catching some catfish.

Catfish are a unique type of fish which many fishermen look for when they are out on the water. Fishermen who desire to reel in some catfish are sure to find that the previously mentioned tips may help them to land that perfect catch.

There is a website that has great information on most species of freshwater fish. It has details that pertain to each species of fish such as habitat, spawning, eating habits, the best lures and baits and more, the website is called: Fishing Stringer, and can be found at this url:

http://www.fishingstringer.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Anglers everywhere look forward to the challenge that fishing for catfish provide because they are one of the most popular species of fish around. When fishing for trophy catfish you need to be prepared and have the equipment to reel them in. These fish have been known to snap rods, break lines and completely destroy the drag on reels. Regardless of whether you are catfishing for that trophy fish or going out for fun, using rigs is the best method to reel them in.

There are three main types of catfish fishing rigs that are used by anglers everywhere. These are called the Texas Rig, Carolina Rig and the Floating Rig. The more you know about these rigs and the way to use them the better your odds will be when fishing for catfish. Below are the basic instructions on how to tie each one of these rigs along with a brief description about each one and where they should be used.

The Texas Rig

The Texas rig is mainly used with plastic worms. The hook is placed through the thickest part of the worm right below the head. You need to push it up all the way to the eye of the hook. You will then put the tip of the hook halfway through the body of the worm about three forth of the way to the tail.

Make sure that it does not go all the way through. This prevents the hook from snagging on anything while you are fishing.

The first step in tying a Texas rig is to choose the type of knot you want to use. The clinch knot seems to work the best for many anglers. Next, you need to place your sinker on the line first with the large end facing towards the hook. Use the clinch knot to tie the hook securely onto the line and then you are ready for the bait. This is a very simple rig to sit up.

The Texas rig can be used most anywhere and it makes casting your line very accurate. It works well when fishing in areas that are grassy or rough where hooks can get hung up easily. It is the perfect rig to use when you need your bait to bump the bottom of the water so you can reel it up a bit and then let it float back down to the bottom again.

If you use readymade baits, or if you make homemade baits then you seriously need to read this! Having just had a very lengthy conversation with the boss of one the UK bait companies we agreed it is so extremely clear that even really well-known anglers using readymade baits are not maximising the true effectiveness of their baits! So open your eyes and mind and read on now to improve your catches for life!

Apart from giving away trade secrets there are things I can tell you that will improve your catches. Many of these things cannot be simply expressed in a few lines because you need to know the why and how something works and how to combine it in ways to maximise impacts not only on fish senses but in terms of maximised interaction with water! Many anglers ask me for advice on pastes and making boilies.

But instead of giving them some recipes (which is what they most usually want,) I give them a far more powerful suggestion! Fish detect very many substances through actually having substances dissolved in the water actually contact their body, externally or internally. This fact is so central to how I see how we can maximise our fishing success when we truly appreciate and harness this!

When we design baits and adapt all baits so they cause maximum concentrations of attractive and feed-triggering substances to draw fish along their concentration gradients like the smell of a curry or bread luring punters inside a shop or restaurant, then we will catch far more fish! Far too many anglers think baits need to be bound up with a basis of cereal binders such as semolina, and then heated up to coagulate proteins, glutens, but I do not recommend this at all. Instead, I recommend you adapt your readymade baits or design your homemade baits based primarily on the feeding triggers your species of fish are most sensitive to; whether carp, catfish, barbel, tench etc!

Test any boiled or steamed or other heated cooked boilies in cold water against and un-heated paste (even of the same recipe,) and you will notice that the un-heated baits form a solution massively faster than the heated baits. This solution is the prime basis of your baits success, so why on earth reduce the functional capacity of your baits by heating them up and dramatically sealing them? Apparently boiling baits can reduce nutritional values by as much as 60 percent in some recipes and even though this cannot be proven in accurate terms in fishing reality the damaging and detrimental effects of heat upon vital nutritional elements and bioactive factors essential in the biological and health values of foods is very well established!

The next time you think about looking at comparing prices for readymade boilies think how much you want your bait in solution in the water because this capacity of your baits will be extremely essential and vital to your success! Quality of bait ingredients and the recipe etc is so secondary to this and price is of such low importance by comparison! I would rather use a handful of exceptionally potent homemade feeding trigger based highly soluble paste baits fished accurately, than use 10 kilograms of the most well nutritionally-balanced boilies; no matter which potent additives, ingredients, enzymes etc they contain, and no matter what a great priced deal they might appear to be!

By practicing seriously feeling and experiencing like a fish, and not just thinking like an instant angler, you will be amazed at your improvement in your catch results! But it takes the right knowledge and insights to be able to do this correctly and it can take decades to achieve this; but my ebooks are proven short-cuts that will skyrocket your catches by comparison to remaining in ignorance for decades to come! Revealed in my unique readymade bait and homemade bait carp and catfish bait secrets ebooks is far more powerful information so see my unique website (Baitbigfish) for these highly essential details right now!

By Tim Richardson.

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Making your own catfish bait is both fun, and cost-effective. There are 1000s of recipes out there, but here are some of my favorites. Feel free to mix and match. Be creative.

Cheesy Minnow Bait

Melt 1 lb. of Velveeta cheese for about in microwave, then chop 6-8 oz. of raw pork. Chop 1 head of garlic and add garlic salt, mix in 1 can dog food, add 1 dozen minnows and enough flour to give a dough consistency. Mix in a food processor. This bait works best on treble hooks or bait tubes.

Catfish Perfume

In a blender mix about. 2 dozen dead (and old) minnows, and 1/4 C of the water they were in, along with 1/2 Cup Parmesan cheese, 1 box cherry jello, 1/4 C molasses, 3 Tablespoons of onion salt and garlic salt, 1 cup bread crumbs, and 3 Tablespoons of soy sauce. Add flour to thicken, then work into a dough and place in baggies. To use, roll intoin 1 inch balls and use on a treble hook.

Ictalurus Hor'deouvres

In 1/4 cup boiling water, add 3 beef bullion cubes. after they dissolve, add 3 oz of old lunch meat, and 3 Tablespoons of garlic salt and onion powder, 5 slices of bread, 4 Tablespoons of of melted peanut butter, 20 crackers. Place in a blender and mix. place in and airtight container in a cool place. Use as a ball on treble hook.

Ictalurus Pate

Mix 1 lb of aged in the sun chicken livers and 1 package of hot dogs together in a blender and mix. This may be best performed outside or with wife gone. In a gallon jug place a half a loaf of bread torn into bite size pieces, pour the liver and hot dog mix over it. add 2 cans of nacho cheese, 1 can corn, 1/4 bottle of Tabasco,and a dozen worms cut up, to the mix. next get rubber gloves and pour this mixture out and knead good until it gets thick and a dough like consistency. Store in the sun, in a large plastic container, and handle with care.

Cry Me A Liver Bait

Thaw out a package of frozen chicken livers. Lay liver out in layers, sprinkle a heafty amount of garlic salt on it. Add next layer so on and so forth until the liver is all used. Cover the livers with something that won't touch them, like a lid. Let them sit for a couple hours outside. It doesn't have to be in the sun.

After a couple hours take the liver and dump into a bucket and start stirring, every 3 or 4 stirs add some more garlic. Do this until you have about 1/4 cup of garlic left. Put it in the garage for about 9 or 10 days, make sure its covered.

When you get ready to use it dump the rest of the garlic salt in, stir, and go fishin. The salt will make the livers tough, and leather-like.. Use on a #2 Aberdeen hook.. You can substitute Anise, or Vanilla for the Garlic if you want to try something different.

Fishing for catfish has been the favorite of many anglers for years. They were one of the first species of fish to ever be caught as a sport. The catfish can grow to some amazing sizes and they will put up a fight that you will want to talk about for a long time. There is no better feeling than to reel in one or more of these monsters.

The rod and reel are extremely important when it comes to your gear and the amount of success you can have reeling in the catfish. There are certain steps you can follow when picking out the right combination of rod and reels. The first step is to decide which species of catfish you intend to go fishing for. Are you after the channel cat, flathead, blue cat, white cat or the bullhead catfish?

After deciding which species you prefer to catch, you need to learn as much as you can about the different types of rod and reels available. This will help you determine what would work the best for each type of fishing you are trying to do. Of course, if you are new to fishing all together and not sure which species you want to go after, then you should learn what type of catfish live in your immediate area or where you will be going fishing the most.

This way you can focus on buying a rod and reel to match the species of catfish in your area. Later on as you begin to advance your skills you will learn more about the different species of catfish and this will help you decide if you need to change or add to your gear to go fishing for another type of catfish.

Before you can choose the right catfish rod and reel it would be helpful to understand a little about the rod itself. No doubt you have heard much talk about the rod action and power of the rod from other anglers but, do you know what is meant by these terms? Below is a brief description explaining what is meant by the action and power of a fishing rod.

All about Rod and Reels

When you talk about the action of the rod you are talking about the amount of bend it has. The bend is most noticeable when you are casting your line or reeling in a fish.

Slow Action Rod - This rod will bend all the way down to the handle.

Moderate Action Rod - This one bends over the last portion of the rod.

Moderate-Fast Action Rod - These will bend just over the last third portion of the rod.

Fast Action Rod - The fast action rod bends in the last fourth part of the rod.

Extra-Fast Action Rod - This rod will only bend at the tip.

The bend affects the way you fish because the softer or slow action rods give more. In other words, they have more flexibility. These will hardly ever sling your bait from the hook but they will not cast as far as the fast action rods will. The fast action rods will cast further because they put more force behind your throw giving you a little added power.