FS Digest

I live by some good catfish waters with channel, flatheads, and perhaps blue.

How would you catch one? Any tips

How about pike tips

And walleye

I have an ugly Stik GX2 and getting 20 pound test line, so is that a good setup

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by KaioZuma

FS Digest

For catfish, I use an egg sinker (how heavy depends on how much the water moves. 3/4oz is plenty for where I fish) stopped about 18" up from a 3/0 circle/kahle/octopus hook. I typically slide the sinker up the line, then put on a bead, and tie on a swivel, then tie on my leader/hook, but last time out I left the box with swivels/beads at the house, so I just crimped on a split shot. It works.

As for bait, catfish will eat damn near anything. I typically use chicken liver or commercial dough bait, but I've caught em on cheese, chicken marinated in red kool aid, rotten shrimp, apple flavored gum, ivory soap, even a cigarette butt.

Just identify a deeper channel in your water, fling it out there, crack open a beer, and wait for a couple ticks and a pull. I like to have my drag set a little light so they can run a bit before I tighten it and give the rod tip a nice steady pull up and to the side to ensure a good hookset.

Then you just play the fish. In my experience, channels give you 2 or 3 runs, then quit and let you drag them in until you get em right by the bank, then they freak and fight like hell. If they're 4lb or less, they're good eating. Put the big ones back. They taste like silt.

Can't help on the other species. I'm in Texas.

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by mypostingname13

FS Digest

Thank you so much I have loads of catfish bait on that list

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by KaioZuma

FS Digest

You bet. If you do the marinated chicken, it needs to soak for at least a week.

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by mypostingname13

FS Digest

Texas Rig a YUM Dinger and you'll catch everything

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by Jaysus1288

FS Digest

Egg sinker, Snap swivel, circle hook snell, worms/bread. That’s what I usually use for catfish

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by WarmSoda67

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

This is the same way I fish for cats. I do use Sonny's Blood Stink Bait. Not sure if this is the same as.commercial dough or not. Somr Wal Marts sell catfish tubes to put the bait in.

bozokarl Loc: south central Pa

If it's legal where you're at live bluegills are great bait for cats especially flatheads