Catfishing - how do you do it?

[thunderstick]

use beef liver, stays on hook and works better....

[ruger1nut]

Travis we will be coming down to my folks for our annual summer stay. I have never fished just for cats before but hope to this year.

You mention 40lb leader. how long are you using? Mono or Power Pro on your main line?

For sinkers are you running like an in line egg sinker or a drop down on a three way?


We are just north of SML State Community Park. I fish mostly north to the Hales Ford Bridge but also a fair amount in Black Water. Any places I can start looking that direction or best to head South and around to Blackwater?

Thanx in advance for advice from anyone on this. I am in the same boat as mwardncsu on this

Thanx
Dave

[Gotcha]

In line no roll sinker!

One of these

[ruger1nut]

Thank you, why the no roll? Do you let the line run free I assume or peg it?

Dave

[Gotcha]

I like them as in the name, they dont roll! I let it run! I use these weights with live bait! Give them time to get the bait situated in there mouth and set the hook by thumb! I also use this set-up with large cut bait!
As far as length leader it depends on type of structure! Close to a tree I use 12-16". Open lake point I will use up to a 36" leader! Set up like your standard Carolina rig! Main line I use 30lb, 40lb leader!

Channels I like really lite weights! Usually have spinning rods set up for them to cast livers or a dead alewife! Most time the ale is alive and I hook it twice so perch can't rob you! Lite weight as in 3/8-3/4! Eggs! Small line also, 12-20lb! Your dropper rig(3-way) would be a good choice to use the alewifes!

Only time I would change this is if I was to drift(not many places to drift sml though), then I would add a float to make it a santee rig! Use the heavy line like the first set-up! With the weight of the second set-up! Prefer cut shad strips for this!

Honestly for channels you can use what ever rigging you comfortable with! When I fish for channels Im there for the fight! So I go for the lite setup! Like crappie fishing or bream fishing! Lite as I can get away with!
Like Travis said point hop till you find a point that is producing!

The drifting part is a great setup for buggs island summer cats! But that's also mostly blue cats! Also Might be to many trees in sml to try it!

[formula180]

Chad Ferguson just released his Ultimate Guide to Catfishing Gear.  Lots of good information applicable to all fishing:

link

[williamgdabrowski]

Use this rig to drift bait slowly through wood-rich catfish lairs or over weed while not snagging on bottom or in cowl. Drifting a float additionally helps cowl water from the bank.....