Contents
This article will describe how to catch a catfish using wobblers. Here you can also find out what trolling is and what makes it special when catching catfish. The best models of wobblers will not be left without attention, and the technique of their application is also disclosed.
Trolling
This method of fishing requires the presence of a moving floating vehicle. If a boat without an engine is used, then this method is called “track”, since the boat is driven by oars. With the advent of rubber boats and motors for them, the task has become somewhat simpler and comes down to controlling the operation of the engine and correcting the direction of the boat. In this case, the rods on the boat are fixed rigidly. Each rod has one lure that moves behind the boat. The game of bait is carried out due to the movement of the boat itself.
There are two types of “trolling”
- Sea trolling, where very powerful gear is used, as a fairly large fish can bite. As a rule, in sea trolling, multiplier reels are used that can hold up to 1000 m of fishing line, with a diameter of up to 4 mm.
- River trolling. It involves the use of less powerful tackle, although when catching catfish, multiplier reels are also used, but with less line. Instead of powerful marine rods, it is possible to use ordinary, but reliable spinning rods.
“Trolling” catching catfish on wobblers
A trophy specimen of a catfish can reach a weight of 50 kg or more, so you need to take care of reliable gear.
Rod
For this, strong spinning rods are used. When fishing from a boat, there is no need to have a long rod, so blanks up to 3 meters long will do. Telescopic rods should not be chosen, as they are unlikely to be able to withstand such a load. It is best to choose a plug with a test of 100 to 150 g.
Coil
Increasingly, for catching large fish, marine (multiplier) reels are used. The general requirement is strength, which can only be provided by metal parts of the structure. At least 100 m of fishing line should be wound on the spool. It is possible to use an adjustable handle, which can provide a normal leverage when playing a large specimen. It would not be superfluous to have other functions, such as a ratchet, which can always signal when biting, if the attention of the fisherman is switched to another problem.
Fishing line
For trolling, both monofilament and braided line of a suitable diameter are suitable. We can recommend Salmo fishing line.
Other components
You should not save on other components, such as swivels, clockwork rings, carbines, clasps, especially if the tackle is prepared for catfish. When choosing the appropriate elements, you should pay attention to the proportionality of the power of the main elements of the tackle and additional ones.
Wobblers for catfish when trolling
Catfish do not have very good eyesight, so when choosing baits, you must take this fact into account. Wobblers for catfish should have the following features:
- Stable and pronounced game at great depths.
- The depth of immersion should correspond to the depth of fishing.
Most baits have additional features, such as creating acoustic noise, which may additionally be of interest to catfish.
At depths from 4 to 7 meters, the following models of wobblers can be used:
- Psalm Perch P08SDR;
- Halco Sorcerer 125;
- Liberty Bite 130F.
For fishing at depths over 7 meters, it is recommended to use the following specimens:
- Halco Poltergaist 80;
- Bomber BD7F.
As a rule, each angler has a personal set of wobblers, designed for different depths and having different colors.
Catfish fishing technique “trolling”
Catfish spend most of their lives in shelter or at depth and leave them for a short time to find food. You can lure the catfish out of the pit by using the kwok. With the help of a quok, you can catch catfish during the day. If there is no quok, then you can count on luck only in the dark, although there are periods when the catfish goes out in search of food during the day. This can be either in spring or autumn, when at shallower depths the water warms up faster and the catfish goes to these places to warm up, and at the same time find an object for food.
To increase the chances of being caught, you should use an echo sounder to accurately determine the bottom topography. Wiring should start from the beginning of the pit, making zigzag movements. This will expand the fishing area and make the movements of the bait more realistic. If this does not make any impression on the catfish, you should think about changing the bait or changing the speed of the wiring.
If, after all the changes in the fishing technique, there was no bite, then you will have to change the place to a more promising one.
After biting a catfish, one should not rush or get lost, carrying out thoughtless actions. Catfish is a strong fish that takes a certain amount of time to tire it out. Only after the catfish ceases to seriously resist, you can begin to pull it to the boat. At the same time, you should not relax, because the fish is fighting for its life to the last, and with a powerful jerk it is able to cut off the tackle. Hunting for catfish requires careful preparation and adjustment of the elements of gear. The friction brake should be kept slightly loosened, which will make it possible to control the behavior of the fish.
An equally important moment is the moment of pulling the catfish into the boat. In the presence of the angler should be gloves that can protect him from various injuries. So that the catfish does not particularly resist, you need to put two fingers into its mouth, and pick up the lower jaw with the rest. If the head and torso are in the boat, then the tail will certainly be there.
Tips for last
- The fishing process will be greatly simplified if you catch catfish together, especially from a boat. Here you need to monitor not only the bite, but also the movement of the boat, especially if a large specimen is caught and it will need to be dragged into the boat.
- When going trolling, it is better to have a good stable boat, otherwise the catfish will catch the angler, and not vice versa.
- You should take several different types of wobblers with you, which differ in color. Changing them during fishing can provoke a catfish to attack.
- Since catfish do not like to chase their prey, trolling should be done at minimum speed.
- Each catfish, going fishing, must have a hook. It is he who will help to cope with a large specimen at the final stage.
- It is desirable that the leash be made of durable material, otherwise the catfish will be able to “grind” an ordinary fishing line without much difficulty.
- If there are no special obstacles at the bottom of the reservoir, then the bait can be dragged along the bottom, raising a cloud of turbidity. As a rule, this technique works flawlessly.
Catching a large catfish is the ultimate desire of any angler. It is not in vain that when going fishing, they take tackle intended for catching catfish. If we take the summer period, then fishing is not limited to the daylight hours. At dusk, as a rule, bottom gear is thrown with the hope that catfish will bite.