Freshwater Fishing
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Catfish and Bottom Feeders
Channel cats, bait selection, and night fishing
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## Catfish Species
Channel catfish are the most common and widely distributed. Blue catfish grow to trophy size (45 kg+). Flathead catfish are solitary predators preferring live bait. All three species are excellent table fare.
## Bait Selection
Channel catfish eat almost anything — cut bait (shad, skipjack), chicken liver, nightcrawlers, and commercial stink baits all work. Blue catfish prefer fresh cut shad. Flatheads strongly prefer live bluegill or shad presented on the bottom near heavy cover.
## Night Fishing
Catfish are most active after dark. Fish in deeper holes during the day, then move to shallow flats and current areas at night. Use a heavy sinker to hold bottom, a circle hook for reliable hookups, and a bell or electronic bite alarm. Bring a good headlamp and bug spray.
Channel catfish are the most common and widely distributed. Blue catfish grow to trophy size (45 kg+). Flathead catfish are solitary predators preferring live bait. All three species are excellent table fare.
## Bait Selection
Channel catfish eat almost anything — cut bait (shad, skipjack), chicken liver, nightcrawlers, and commercial stink baits all work. Blue catfish prefer fresh cut shad. Flatheads strongly prefer live bluegill or shad presented on the bottom near heavy cover.
## Night Fishing
Catfish are most active after dark. Fish in deeper holes during the day, then move to shallow flats and current areas at night. Use a heavy sinker to hold bottom, a circle hook for reliable hookups, and a bell or electronic bite alarm. Bring a good headlamp and bug spray.
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