| Knowing what to use and where is key in | | | | Flatheads. Flatheads are also know to reside in |
| catfishing. The specific bait and where you are | | | | hard to reach places, such as in logjams, or a |
| fishing it is vital. Other determing factors in your | | | | body of water that isn't easily accessed. They are |
| success will be the weather and at what time you | | | | also very territorial, meaning they like to stay |
| are fishing. If it is hot, chances are the bite is | | | | mostly in one spot, but are known to travel up to |
| going to be slow. The early morning and evening | | | | a mile at night when feeding. Your best bet at |
| hours are most notably the best time to catch | | | | catching one of the brutes is to find a logjam or |
| catfish. | | | | some type of obstruction, and wait until the |
| The most commonly sought after catfish in the | | | | evening and nighttime hours to go after one of |
| United States is the Channel Cat. They are | | | | these fish. |
| regularly caught in most bodies of water. Rivers, | | | | Blue Cat or aka the White Cat is the most heavily |
| lakes and ponds are literally full of them. | | | | commercially fished of the catfish species in the |
| The most popular bait for Channels is worms, or | | | | United States. They are loved by fishermen |
| more specifically, nightcrawlers. Channels bite | | | | because of their size, raw power, and active |
| better when it's cool outside, but usually can be | | | | feeding habits. It is not uncommon for them to |
| caught at most times of the day depending on | | | | feed three or four times a day, and another two |
| where you are fishing, and with what bait. | | | | or three times a night. They prefer deep water |
| Other popular baits include, liver, shad, guts or | | | | as opposed to shallow, and running water is |
| sides, and prepared dough baits. The most rank | | | | usually a plus. The most popular baits for Blue |
| of baits will usually get you results with Channel | | | | Cats are shad, cutbaits and perch. Notably the |
| Cats. They are avid feeders on just about | | | | most preferred bait is taking a shad and cutting it |
| everything. They tend to feed more heavily | | | | into "chunks". The scent from the opened and |
| during or after heavy rain. Places that have inflow | | | | bleeding shad attract Blue Cats quite well. They |
| after a rain are really good for catching Channels, | | | | usually are caught in deep water in the daytime. |
| as there are things washing in that they feed on. | | | | At night they can be caught just about anywhere, |
| If you know a body of water with a river or | | | | but shallow water with cut shad, or a live bait will |
| creek running into a pond or lake, this can be an | | | | usually yield you results. It is not uncommon for |
| excellent place to catch them after it rains. | | | | Blue Cats to get to over eighty pounds in weight. |
| The Flathead catfish is another highly sought after | | | | The record set last year was over 120 pounds. |
| fish. They are mainly fished because of their | | | | Bullheads are another type of catfish in North |
| sheer size. Trophy Flatheads of 80 pounds or | | | | America. They are mainly fished because of their |
| more are known to be caught. They are a little | | | | tasty meat. They can be caught in almost any |
| bit more of a challenge, because they are | | | | type of farm pond. A popular bait for Bullheads |
| regarded as nocturnal predators. Meaning, they | | | | are nightcrawlers. Usually when you catch one |
| feed at night mostly on live bait. Perch, goldfish | | | | Bullhead, chances are you will catch more there. |
| and shad are some of the best baits to use when | | | | You can regularly catch them in the late |
| going after Flatheads. Limb and trotling are the | | | | afternoon hours. On an overcast day with worms, |
| more traditional methods, but pole fishing has | | | | will usually get you good results, depending on |
| been making an upward climb as of late. | | | | whether the location you are at has Bullheads. |
| Every catfishermen wants one of those trophy | | | | |