Catfishing is a fun and exciting way to get started and fishing and to the beginner can be very confusing to get started and making sure they are doing everything to increase their odds of catching fish. There are several species of catfish available in most waters across the country but for the beginning, fishing for channel catfish is a good place to get started. Channel catfish are also often referred to as "channels" or "channel cats".
One of the keys to being successful fishing for catfish is choosing the right baits and locations for your target species and another is choosing the right catfish rigs. There are a number of catfish rigs that you can using for catching channel cats but two that are particularly effective and can really help you catch a lot of nice fish.
Slip Bobber Rigs
Slip bobber rigs are very popular for many species of fish and while they can be used for blue and flathead catfish they are particularly popular, and effective for channel cats.
The use of a slip bobber offers a number of advantages to the catfisherman. First and foremost they are very sensitive and allow the angler to detect even the slightest of bites. Channel catfish can often have a very shy bite that can be hard to detect so the addition of a slip bobber to the catfish rigs you use is a great choice.
A slip bobber is also easily adjustable so you can quickly and easily adjust the depth you are fishing without having to tie more knots and start over. They also have the advantage of being able to fish in deeper water as the slip function of bobber allows this deep water fishing.
Slip Sinker Rigs
Skip sinker rigs are another of the catfish rigs that can be great for channel catfish. Many anglers often refer to these a Carolina rig but catfishermen most often call them a slip sinker rig. These can be fished a variety of ways. One popular way is to cast and fish with the reel engaged and the line taught, often referred to as tight line fishing or tight lining.
Another popular way of fishing with the slip sinker rig is to disengage the fishing reel and use a bait clicker or line alarm. The reel is then allowed to move in "free spool" but makes clicking noise when turning. The catfish strikes and is allowed to run with the line decreasing the resistance they feel, and increasing the chance of a hook up. The reel is then engaged and the angler sets the hook.
These are again just two of the many popular catfish rigs for channel catfish. There are certainly more options available but these two are very effective and a great way to get started catching channel cats.
One of the keys to being successful fishing for catfish is choosing the right baits and locations for your target species and another is choosing the right catfish rigs. There are a number of catfish rigs that you can using for catching channel cats but two that are particularly effective and can really help you catch a lot of nice fish.
Slip Bobber Rigs
Slip bobber rigs are very popular for many species of fish and while they can be used for blue and flathead catfish they are particularly popular, and effective for channel cats.
The use of a slip bobber offers a number of advantages to the catfisherman. First and foremost they are very sensitive and allow the angler to detect even the slightest of bites. Channel catfish can often have a very shy bite that can be hard to detect so the addition of a slip bobber to the catfish rigs you use is a great choice.
A slip bobber is also easily adjustable so you can quickly and easily adjust the depth you are fishing without having to tie more knots and start over. They also have the advantage of being able to fish in deeper water as the slip function of bobber allows this deep water fishing.
Slip Sinker Rigs
Skip sinker rigs are another of the catfish rigs that can be great for channel catfish. Many anglers often refer to these a Carolina rig but catfishermen most often call them a slip sinker rig. These can be fished a variety of ways. One popular way is to cast and fish with the reel engaged and the line taught, often referred to as tight line fishing or tight lining.
Another popular way of fishing with the slip sinker rig is to disengage the fishing reel and use a bait clicker or line alarm. The reel is then allowed to move in "free spool" but makes clicking noise when turning. The catfish strikes and is allowed to run with the line decreasing the resistance they feel, and increasing the chance of a hook up. The reel is then engaged and the angler sets the hook.
These are again just two of the many popular catfish rigs for channel catfish. There are certainly more options available but these two are very effective and a great way to get started catching channel cats.