Contents
Catfish is a predatory fish that can eat various foods of animal origin. This predator has a rather large mouth, so the size of the bait does not play a significant role. Although, when catching small or large catfish, you have to select the bait of the appropriate size. Baits are different, both frequently used and exclusive, which the catfish loves, but they are difficult to get.
Depending on the season, the use of baits does not have a certain constancy. For fishing to be effective, you should take into account the seasons and select the appropriate nozzles.
Spring bait for catfish
When the water temperature rises to + 10ºС, the catfish begins to go hunting. It could be as early as the month of April, depending on weather conditions. If the spring is early, then the predator begins to become active also early.
During this period, only the upper layers of water have time to warm up, so the catfish goes into shallow water. Despite the fact that this is a nocturnal robber, during this period it can actively feed during the day, and at night it will not respond to any bait.
Since the water warms up in small areas, you should not count on the active biting of the catfish. At the same time, he can peck for a certain period of time, but then for several days do not show any active signs.
Catfish spawning begins at a water temperature of about + 18ºС. The spawning period can last 2,5 weeks. After this period, the catfish goes to rest, after which it begins to actively take baits.
In the spring, the following baits of animal origin are best suited:
- Creep out. As a rule, when catching catfish, large hooks are used, on which several crawls are mounted so that they can mask the hook. Catfish can be caught on the crawl, weighing up to 3 kg no more.
- Zywiec. Great for catching catfish, both small and large, depending on the size of the live bait. Moreover, the catfish actively takes on live bait caught in the same reservoir. To catch a small catfish, small brushes, perches, minnows, etc. will do. For catching larger specimens, weighing 5 kg or more, it is better to use crucian carp or roach.
- Frog. She is a daily representative included in the catfish diet. Therefore, such a bait as a frog can bring a weighty catfish to the angler. They put it on a hook by the paws or by the lower jaw.
- Sparrow. Oddly enough, but this type of bait, roasted at the stake, can be the best bait for catfish. Catching a sparrow is not difficult if you try. There are many similar bird trap designs. Therefore, after catching a few sparrows, you can go to the catfish.
- Perlovica. This bivalve mollusk is found in almost all water bodies. Catfish pecks with pleasure at the meat of this representative of the underwater world.
- locust. This is an exclusive type of lure that is not easy to find. Behind it should go to the southern regions. Put on a hook a few pieces of locust. It is considered a fairly effective bait and many anglers try to get locusts.
- Chicken liver. Offal from poultry can also serve as excellent bait when catching catfish. Catfish is absolutely not indifferent to the insides of a bird, especially to the liver, if a small preparation procedure is performed. The preparation of the bait consists in the fact that the liver is left for some time in the sun so that a peculiar smell emanates from it.
- Pieces of fish. Since fish form the basis of the entire diet of the catfish, it is excellently caught on pieces of fish or on some of its parts, such as the head or tail. Moreover, in some reservoirs, catfish prefers the head, and in others – the tail. According to some anglers, catfish are not indifferent to gobies in tomato. Therefore, such a bait may refuse the most effective. The only problem is how to fix such a piece of fish on the hook.
When catching catfish, an experimental approach plays an important role, allowing you to determine the most attractive bait. Having thus learned the preferences of the catfish, you can catch a trophy specimen.
summer bait
The catfish prefers to become active in rather warm water. It is worth recalling here that catfish spawning occurs in conditions when the water temperature is at around + 18ºС. Therefore, in the summer, when it is really warm outside and all layers of water are warmed up, the catfish is the most active. The highest activity of this fish falls on July-August. During this period, the catfish is nocturnal. During the day, he can rest in thickets of aquatic vegetation or at a depth, in pits. Very good catfish is caught on cloudy days, when he can go out to “hunt” in the daytime. During the day, catfish can come out of their hiding places when fishing for kwok in any weather. Fishing for catfish in the fog is noted for good performance.
The most effective during this period may be the following baits:
- live;
- locusts;
- shellfish;
- frog;
- creep out;
In the summer, catfish have a huge choice in terms of food. These are frogs, and fish, as well as other small animals that, for some reason, ended up in the water. Therefore, the most attractive will be precisely those baits that are included in the daily diet.
Depending on the bait used, the tackle is cast to a certain distance. If a frog is used, then you can get by with a short cast, and if it is a live bait, then it is better to throw it away.
To catch a larger specimen weighing more than 3 kg, you need to put at least 10 crawls on a large hook.
autumn bait
In autumn, catfish are well caught in the morning or in the evening, and when there is fog on the street, catfish can be caught both day and night. During this period, the catfish is already at a depth, in the pits, from where you will have to get it with the help of bottom gear. At the same time, catfish, like other types of fish, tries to stock up on nutrients, so autumn fishing can be the most productive with the right fishing strategy. During this season, it is better to use the following baits:
- live;
- shellfish;
- cancer necks;
- creeps out.
Using such baits, you can always count on a catch, but do not forget about heavy artillery, such as fried sparrow or offal from poultry. Some anglers use sausage and black blood as bait. And this is not surprising, since blood certainly attracts catfish. In fishing shops you can buy boilies with the aroma of blood. On some reservoirs, such baits are the most effective.
As a rule, anglers throw several tackles at once, with different types of lures. If the catfish pecked at the live bait, then it makes sense to replace all other baits with live bait. This may indicate that the catfish currently prefers live bait.
On one promising section of the reservoir, you can catch up to 10 catfish of various sizes. Therefore, in the case of a catfish bite, you can safely count on the catch. Catfish can migrate around the reservoir and should not count on the same catch on the next fishing trip.
Spinning lures for catfish
Catfish can be caught with any suitable gear, including spinning, using artificial lures, such as:
- spinners;
- spinners;
- wobblers;
- jig – baits (silicone).
The technique of fishing with a spinning rod is the same as when fishing with a spinning rod for another predator, such as pike or perch. In this case, the main thing is to find a catfish parking lot. If there is no catfish bite for 20-30 minutes, then you can safely move to another promising place. Every time you cast in a new place, you should use a variety of baits to find out the preferences of the catfish. Whirlpools, pits, edges, whirlpools, etc. can be the most promising places. Soma can be calculated by whirlpools that have appeared on the surface of the water, where they cannot be in nature. Catfish do not hunt silently, although there are distinctive features.
Considering the fact that catfish can be at a depth, it is better to use jig baits of the appropriate size. These can be quite weighty models, especially when fishing on the current. The catfish responds well to tapping with jig baits along the bottom of the reservoir. Good results are shown by massive “oscillators” or deep-sea wobblers.
When catching catfish, special attention should be paid to the reliability of gear, as this is not an unimportant factor in successful fishing. Given that a specimen weighing several tens of kilograms can peck, you should very carefully equip the rod with the appropriate fishing line and reel.
When fishing from a boat, you need to take care of safety measures, since the bite of a catfish can be powerful and unexpected. When fishing from the shore, you should consider the tactics of playing a trophy specimen, removing all interfering objects around the circumference.
Catfish bait video compilation
Frog – bait for catfish
Fishing for catfish Bait 2