Monday, July 4, 2011

5 Things You Must Know About Using Catfishing Baits Properly

By John Garrett


The average person sees fishing as just a hobby and often fail to realize the importance of using catfishing baits properly. Incorrect use catfish bait can cause amateur fishermen to waste quite a bit of valuable time without landing a single catfish. It is important to know the basic principles behind using catfishing baits properly, particularly when doing so from the bank of a river or aboard a boat.

So, here are the 5 things you must know to help you get the most out of your baits and make that big catch.

It all starts with timing
It is crucial to know and understand the best time of the day for catfishing. Technically, you can go catfishing at anytime of the day but for maximum reward for your effort I would recommend fishing early in the morning or late in the evening. Just like most animals, these species come out in the morning to hunt for food. They usually stay near the bottom of the river or lake in the day and come out again for food in evenings and night.

The seasons and the weather are excellent tools for making baiting a lot easier. Rainy and overcast days are ideal for catfishing. The cloud cover can emulate early morning conditions, which means that the catfish are likely to be swimming around actively all day long. Catfishing is particularly popular during the fall and spring, when water levels are higher and the catfish themselves are more likely to be active for longer periods.

Make sure that the bait remains still. This may sound quite obvious, but it addresses a common mistake made by amateur fishermen. The bait should remain as motionless as possible to increase the chances of attracting a catfish. Pays close attention to the water current to prevent unwanted bait movement. In general, try throwing in something into the water to test for any biters. It would be a good idea to move on to find a new spot if you don't see any movement for half an hour.

Find the hot spots.
You may have the best bait in the world; but if you don't position it in areas where the catfishes are located, it will just sit in water, lollygag and fall apart. Look for places where the catfishes will likely hide. If you are fishing on a creek or river, find a bend where there could be an overhang. Catfishes love to hang out in these areas as it offers them safety. They also commonly lurk behind deep holes and sunken logs. Follow water currents for you to spot deep channels. Learn more about the waterways before embarking on a fishing journey to know river entry points, alcoves and other areas where you can find these species.


Use the appropriate hooks.
Make sure the hook you are using isn't too small or too big for the cat that you are targeting. Trial and error would be a good approach. If the hook is too large, the catfish will not be able to get the hook in its mouth and will nibble around your bait. Using catfishing baits properly will ensure a highly productive catfishing trip.




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