FS Digest

hey so I'm new to catfishing and haven't been having any luck I've fished the last 3-5 days using a C rig (egg weight with a swivel going dow to a dip bait with catfish Carlie cheese flavor or a circle hook with a catfish Carlie cheese dough bait) and I haven't even had a run or anything. I've been using one rod and going to places with catfish in them with no luck. I live in nova (northern Virginia) and was wondering is winter a bad time to use dip/dough baits. or maybe the flavor I'm using is bad or my hook placement is bad. because I was using an imitation shad on the side and caught a creek chub and killed it and put it on my hook whole through the belly and didn't even get a bite on that. please give me some insight or some tips if you have any questions on what I was using and where I was fishing just ask I'm willing to say! thanks for your time and effort!

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by Fza

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Fza: Well, partner, don't give up. This time of year all fish are in a "slow mo" mode and aren't as active. They will feed, but just not as often. Next time you catch a smaller fish, don't kill it, but just hook it behind its dorsal fin and allow it to swim around in the zone you expect to find catfish.

You will have better luck in warmer weather, and at night, when the big boys come out. if it's legal in your state, use a live perch, minnow, or any other live bait, even crawfish, and just wait. Catfish will eat anything! Really! You might even use chicken livers, which is a common bait when other items are scarce. Just Sayin...RJS

fast_randy Loc: Blackfoot, Idaho

Hi Fza, like Robert says, and catfish in particular, aren't active in the winter. I know they can be caught but I personally don't even start cat fishing until at least March. So don't get discouraged.