Catching catfish in lakes is a lifetime experience for almost every angler. There’s no word for describing how it feels to catch a catfish, it’s not only hard just to catch them but also you have to battle hour long just too subdue them. So, how to catch catfish in lakes in a perfect way.
Well, to know that you will have to understand the nature of catfishes and also lakes.
Catfish has so many species and they are different. With a little bit of research, you will know what you are dealing with, which can help you ultimately catching them. Almost every lake all over the U.S has catfish.
See More: Lipless Crankbait Guide and Reviews
Every lake may contain both big and small specimens, it depends on the body of water. In lake residents channel, blue and flathead catfish are common and smaller bullhead is also common in this area. The record-breaking brown and black bullhead came from the lakes.
How To Catch Catfish In Lakes Using the Right Tacke
When a catfish want to eat they will destroy everything. So without proper setup and gear, you will be in danger.
For catching a carp and catfish lake like Beausoleil is tough. There are a few steps you have to follow everything is important here from bait to hook.
Choose Right Hooks for Catfish Angling
Size 2 or 4 heavy gauge hooks are minimum for carp or catfish. But using hook large as 6/0 is probably best for the catfish.
Weight of the Hook links
The hook link shouldn’t be lighter than 25lb for catching a cat or carp fish. If you are targetting the cats then hook links have to be up to 45lbs.
The more you will catch the catfish, the more you will make your hook link heavier.
Right Mainline is Important for Better Fishing
Even fishery rules have 15lb mainline but with time they have realized it’s not adequate for catfish. So in 2016, they have updated it to 30lbs for both card and catfish.
Going bigger or heavier won’t cost you fish. It’s safe to catch them with a heavier line.
Good options for mainlines is CXX X-Tra strong which is 30lbs but only 0.42mm. Other for catfish is like- 25lbs – 30lbs, GLT Pro-Tough in 27lbs – 36lbs, or Daiwa Sensor in 25lbs to 30lbs.
Rig Tubing that Doesn’t Affect Rig Safety
Male catfish have sharp, bone structures that can affect mainline, so for protecting mainline we need rig tubing. Un-protected mainline can cut through like a hot knife through butter!
Use a short piece of pole elastic and tie a 4 turn shop knot so that rig tubing doesn’t slide up. This keeps traps in place but doesn’t affect rig safety.
Choose Ideal Rods for Catfish
Minimum 3lb Rod is necessary for big carp. Sometime you will catch somewhat 80 lb+ catfish or carp. So for safety 6lb will work wonder. This kind of heavy rod is necessary if you are serious about catching only carps and catfish. Otherwise, it will be a waste.
Which Reels Are Perfect for Catching Catfish?
While answering some other aspects on “How To Catch Catfish In Lakes” can be confusing and less important, the reel is one of those most important parts you cannot give fewer efforts.
In the time of the fight with catfish sometimes reels disintegrate. So the idea of a reel without a well built big it style reel is crazy.
Any heavy duty sea fishing reel will do the same. For catfishing, there’s customize reel and they are really special, totally worth considering.
Choose the Right Catfish Rigs
The catfish baits and rigs are two of the most important part if you want to have better performance in fishing. Nobody wants to sit there on the corner of the lake for a long day without much in the net right? So, you need proper tackles to catch catfishes in the lake.
In a disaster strike, inline rigs or runnings can help to enable the lead to come free of the fish. Without the lead in tow, if your fish cant swims off with the rig then you are fishing with death rig. Have at least a strong enough catfish rig, which can handle 100lbs.
They are highly effective against big catfish. Few lakes have a record of 106lb which was banked by using a super strong stiff hinged rod.
Fishing for Catfish in Lakes: Other Tips to Follow
Here are some other guides you can follow to right catch the catfish from the lakes.
A Way to Help Land a Big Cat
Clear all other lines from the swims near you, sometimes everyone thinks it’s not necessary especially if the lines are back leaded. Because of this, you can lose fish, you will learn in a hard way. Use super slacklines with rod tip dropped back, this will help fishing peacefully.
It’s not a good idea to catch catfish with friends, you can’t catch a fish if your friend has hooked into a really big catfish.
Work as a team, if your catfish head to a snag in the lake then send someone out with a boat and tell them to position themselves from 5 to 10 m behind where the catfish is.
Normally they go to island point tree, the sluice bush or down the channel towards the bridge and if they are in the right position then just gently thrash the water. It will spook the fish back to the danger area.
Baiting Strategy for Catfish
Baiting strategy should be flawless as like we said in the trout fishing in lake article. Catfish love to eat so too much bait can increase your chance of getting a catfish.
With perfect rigs, hooks the job should be easy but if you are targeting cap then be careful cause it’s dangerous to hook catfish from certain swims, you don’t want to attract them in the wrong time.
The beds of pellets work good with catfish, so try not to use them when you are targeting big carp.
Using the Right Catfish Bait
Catfish will eat anything so if you are in a lake where there’s a chance of getting catfish to be prepared. Don’t think that your bait will only attract carp. Catfish can eat a lot sometimes 60kg+ pellets get destroyed by them in a week.
If you have better luck then 10 kg of pellet and 2 kg boilies in one spot can give you multiple catfish in one night. So, choose the best bait for lake catfish considering their sizes and types.
Blue Catfish Bait Made Easy
Blue catfish bait is the best kind of bait. Fresh, native bait can give you more success when it comes to catfish. Threadfin shad, gizzard shad, and skipjack are their favorite choice and they are very popular among anglers.
Other fish like carp, buffalo, drum or perch are also good for the job. Use and try everything and use alternatives from time to time.
When it comes to bait, fresh bait beats everything else. Fresh bait is the best choice for it works twice as good than frozen bait.
Frozen bait is closer to no bait. With time and experience you will realize what a fresh bait can do and the difference between both of them. Try to use fresh fish as bait whenever you try to catch catfish.
Catfish food choice differs from species to species but most of them are predator, example – flathead catfish.
So the best choice for catfish like I said before is live bait. So get a bait fish which will look “lively” even after a long period of time. In that case perch, bluegill, brim or mud cats they are the best choice. Always experiment with bait so you will know which will be best for you.
Observe the Rules of the Fishery
Take time, notice if you can find anything different than other days. Check the water temperature, make sure you have everything for catching big fishes. Depth of water can be a fact, it changes with the weather.
Catching catfish is a big deal for every angler. So if have the worst day, don’t be hopeless because it takes time. Every lake has the same techniques for catching catfish so just enjoy the fishing. With little patience and love can give you happiness in fishing.
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