| Fishing for catfish can be one of the | | | | results using smaller hooks too. Even |
| most exciting types of fishing you can | | | | when you are trying to catch big fish. |
| do, but there really are some monster | | | | Especially in the winter, when the water |
| cats out there, so knowing how to select | | | | is cold and calm, the catfish tend to be |
| the right catfish hooks for the job is | | | | finicky, and you have to try to get them |
| of major importance. | | | | out of the water without spooking them. |
| Depending on where you plan to fish, and | | | | If you use anything bigger than a 2/0 |
| whether you are out to catch basic table | | | | hook, you will probably get bites, but |
| cats or huge monster cat, you will want | | | | the tendency is for the cat to spook and |
| to adjust the type of hook you plan to | | | | drop your hook like it was hot! This is |
| use. The good news is that there are | | | | particularly true in heavily fished |
| some outstanding quality products | | | | waters, so no matter where you are |
| available to help you nail the catfish | | | | fishing...lakes, rivers, ponds, etc. |
| you are after. | | | | when getting bites is not the problem, |
| Keep an assortment with you while | | | | just remember that you can always |
| fishing, so you can change out the hooks | | | | substitute a smaller, strong hook, and |
| to better fit the size of fish you are | | | | probably solve the problem. |
| getting. | | | | In the springtime, when the fish are not |
| If you are fishing for table fish, and | | | | so finicky, you can move up to some |
| having a problem with the catfish taking | | | | bigger hooks like a 6/0 baitholder hook. |
| your bait, running with it for a short | | | | These are particularly good when there |
| distance before just simply dropping the | | | | are flood water kinds of conditions |
| bait, you might want to switch to a | | | | present. During flood conditions, the |
| smaller hook like a 1/0 baitholder. This | | | | fish tend to get very aggressive, and |
| usually hangs in there a bit better, and | | | | they really grab on to basically |
| will help you bring some table fare to | | | | whatever is out there. You will miss |
| the table for dinner. Of course, it is | | | | some fish you could catch if you use the |
| not as effective when you want to catch | | | | smaller hooks in flood conditions. |
| really big catfish. | | | | Another consideration is using the right |
| If you are in a position where you need | | | | size hook for whatever bait you are |
| to cast out a long distance, you can | | | | using. Generally speaking, bigger bait |
| always use a 2/0 octopus. This hook will | | | | catches bigger fish; smaller bait |
| work very well with a balsa wood and | | | | catches smaller fish. The best hook, in |
| lead float called a Livingston Float. | | | | my opinion, for catching catfish using |
| When you cast with this rig, it will | | | | shad head for bait is a 1/0 or 2/0 L042. |
| really get out there! So, for casting | | | | For general use, you will most likely be |
| long distances, try the 2/0 octopus. | | | | satisfied with a 3/0 baitholder. While |
| When it comes to winter fishing for | | | | others will work well, it is best to |
| catfish, you really can get better | | | | consider this first. |