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