Catfishing Is A Summertime Tradition

By Freddie McKnight

Few species can match the size and numbers of the catfish. Most fish caught weigh less than five pounds, but the possibility for fish over the one hundred-pound mark is there. Catching a fish of that size in freshwater, regardless of the species, is quite an accomplishment. In the three state region, there are numerous opportunities to do just that.

In Pennsylvania and Ohio the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers are three moving water systems that provide the potential for huge catfish. Well known for having both channel and flathead catfish in great numbers, it is not uncommon to put one or two fish in the net that will weigh more than 20 pounds on any given day or night.

Typically the best locations to find the catfish are in those slack water areas at the head or tail of a deep pool. This is where you will find the actively feeding fish. Moving water washes food by the areas where the catfish have staged or it will move scent downstream to catch the fish’s’ attention and move them toward its source. The angler who keys in on these locations will be the one taking home the bulk of the fish.

On the three big rivers, numerous locks and dams provide key areas to fish for the ‘cats. Top pools in the Ohio River include Hannibal, Racine and Pike. This is especially true for those anglers seeking to hook up with the huge flathead catfish. In Pennsylvania, Lock number 2, the area around Point State Park, and the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny are the prime locations you want to check out for premier catfish action. This is not to say that other areas are not prime locations, just that these spots typically have produced consistent action for years now.

Typically if you want to catch big catfish during the summer, the nighttime is the best time to do so. Surveys conducted on various waters in both states have shown that the number of catfish in a particular feeding area may as much as double when checked at night versus a daytime survey. It has been found that the fish prefer a gravel or sandy bottom rather than the mud that so many anglers associate them with. It also appears that the most productive depths to fish are in the three- to six foot range, especially when this type of water and structure are closely associated with a drop-off into the depths of 10 feet or more nearby.

Surprisingly, the upstream sides of islands are a key hotspot as well. Catfish are often thought of as sluggish fish, seeking out the depths and calm pools of water. When feeding, these fish actually prefer to find a semi-strong current. Seeking out the calmer water behind a rock or tree, they wait to pounce on unsuspecting prey. The deeper swaths cut out by the current along the islands are ideal locations for these bigger catfish to hang out when they are hungry.

One of the big debates over fishing for catfish is what to use as bait. Some have specially prepared concoctions that would gag a maggot, yet these baits take their fair share of fish. Others tend to use commercial catfish baits, which are productive as well. When it comes to big catfish, live bait seems the way to go though. The bigger ‘cats always seem to be taken on crayfish, worms, and especially minnows.

Fishing a live chub of some six or eight inches in length at a key location will surely take its share of catfish. Use big tackle because the chances of hooking up with a heavy fish are good. Adding to the stubbornness of a huge ‘cat, the current will factor in to the fish’s favor. You need sturdy gear to be able to handle the fish, plus be able to put on some pressure so that it does not swim into a submerged tree or other underwater obstruction in and effort to escape.

Use of an egg sinker, so that that fish does not feel the weight, seems to propel the success rate upwards. Use enough weight to get the bait to where it needs to be and hold it there in the current of any river you are fishing.

Key times to fish for ‘cats include right after a heavy rain has passed through and area, putting the water levels up. This will often wash in new food sources to the fish, plus allow them to roam new areas along the banks. If the creeks should overflow their normal flow, look to low lying fields next to standing timber as a key area you may want to check out. Grains such as wheat, oats, and soybeans are food sources that the fish will often key in on during high water. Just use extreme caution when fishing in flooded conditions.

If we have an extended period without rain, make do by creating your own feeding frenzy. If your state allows, chumming the fish with some sort of bait can draw them to a certain location. The use of grains, fish and/or fish parts, and commercial chum baits all have their followers. If you do not have the time to chum up your area before you go fishing, there is another way of creating a feeding spree.

My grandfather showed me a long time ago how to get the suckers to feeding in small streams. He simply took a tree limb as large as he could handle and walked up to the head of the pool.

Using one end on the creek bottom, he stirred up the area and made it muddy across the entire length. This kicked up bottom debris, including food the fish were keying in on, and put them on the feed. It resulted in many a caught fish when nothing had been happening before.

Now I know you cannot stir up an entire river, such as the Ohio, but you can pick out one location where this will work in an isolated area. Add to this effect by use of a chum bag on a rope that can be thrown out and anchored immediately below the area you are stirring up. This will not only entice the catfish in the immediate area to feed, but it may draw in fish from downstream areas as well.

When all else fails this summer, turn to fishing by the glow of a lantern and target these giants that swim in an area near you. Just remember that they are a precious resource and need to be managed to ensre their survival.

Keep only what you want for one or two meals and let the rest swim to fight yet another day. In fact when it comes to eating catfish, the smaller ones are usually the best eaters.