FS Digest

I’m new to fishing (have only caught 2 small bass) and am going to a lake tomorrow stocked with trout and catfish. I want to catch a catfish tomorrow but I don’t know what hook to purchase or what size hook. I don’t expect to be catching any large or huge catfish, just an average sized or small one. I don’t know if this is important but I have a 7’ medium heavy rod!

Any tips for cat fishing would be greatly appreciated!!

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by impr0veskin

FS Digest

octopus or circle hooks

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by Achmed_Johnson

FS Digest

What size should I get? I don’t want anything too big

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by impr0veskin

FS Digest

I would go with a few here. If you are throwing live bait, cut bait, or chicken liver use a 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook and octopus hook. If you are using nightcrawlers and even chicken liver, I like to use a 5/0 baitholder hook (it has barbs on the backside to keep the worm from sliding off). I personally prefer egg slip weights ranging in the 1/4 to 1 oz. slip weight. It allows you to feel the bite of the fish without the added weight of the weight.

Now as for your bait. Catfish will eat chicken liver, nightcrawlers(throw some coffee grinds on them the night before; ita like a fat line of coke for em), cut bait (really any fish cut up into pieces but the best are shad, bluegill, drum, carp), live bait like bluegill, goldfish, baby bullhead, and any baitfish that are in the lake), rotten chicken, chicken breast soaked in red koolaid powder, and I've even heard hotdogs work. Any rotten meat will do the trick. Catfish are bottom feeders that will eat just about anything.

Live bait is one of the best options. You can buy them from a bait shop or catch them yourself. I like to go down to my local pond and throw a bobber on a size 6 hook with a small split shot weight attached. I'll cut a nightcrawler in half of even thirds. Use an aerator and most importantly make sure it is legal to take fish for bait where you catch them.

Stay away from quick disconnects. Yes they are super easy and nice to have but catfish can pull these out and bend them. I use to swear by them but teach yourself a couple good knots and you wont regret it. The palomar and uni knot are my 2 easy and strong knots for line to hook or line to swivel.

Whatever you do make sure you have a license and check your state as well as local fishing guidelines. Not worth getting a ticket or losing your license for. Good luck and tight lines

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by u93

FS Digest

Great response. May many fish fill your bucket.

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by pgn

Ronniejw Loc: West Point MS

1/0 or 2/0 would be big enough

Ricky McCoy Loc: Fresno, Ca. 93706

I discovered the use of "circle hooks". By using these hook the fish in my experience pretty much hook themselves. Instead of having to set the hook when using other hook, with Circle hook, be a little more patient. When your has a bend on the pole just "reel" down to you feel resistant of fish fighting. In most cases the design of the hook creates hookup in corner of catfishing mouth.
Good luck, please let me know if you do well.
Ricky McCoy

Ricky McCoy Loc: Fresno, Ca. 93706

By the way, fresh live bait works

Jakestake83 Loc: Mooresville NC

If you are after smaller catfish a number 2/0 circle is your best bet. The gape of this hook circles the catfish tissue around the mouth perfectly and it is good up to about 20 pound fish. No need for heavy line if the fish are small. 8 pound permits good casting and can land heavy fish. Your rod is Ok as is.

Ricky McCoy Loc: Fresno, Ca. 93706

Thanks