What is the best catfish bait?

It depends on the species: Channel catfish respond best to chicken liver (the classic), prepared stink baits, nightcrawlers, and cut bait (shad, bluegill, skipjack). Blue catfish are best caught on fresh-cut shad or skipjack herring — cut the bait into 2–3 inch chunks and fish on the bottom near current. Flathead catfish almost exclusively eat live bait — live bluegill, live creek chubs, live bullheads, or very fresh-cut shad. Flat, round pieces of cut bait (a 'filet' section rather than a chunk) are the preferred cut for maximum scent dispersion.

What size hook for catfish?

Size 1/0–3/0 circle hooks for channel catfish with smaller baits; 5/0–8/0 circle hooks for blue and flathead catfish with large cut bait or live bait. Circle hooks are strongly preferred for catfish — they hook in the corner of the mouth nearly every time, require no hook set (just reel down and lift steadily), and are easy to remove for catch-and-release. Use strong, forged hooks — catfish are powerful fish and can straighten light wire hooks.

Where do catfish live in a river?

Catfish prefer areas with current relief and soft or hard bottom: deep holes and bends in rivers (the outside of a river bend where current scours a deep pool); tailwaters below dams (a top location for blue catfish); log jams and submerged timber; undercut banks; the downstream side of gravel bars and wing dams; and junction pools where tributaries meet the main river. At night, catfish leave these holding areas and move to shallow flats and gravel bars to feed.

How do I set up a slip sinker rig for catfish?

Thread a 1–4oz egg sinker (or no-roll sinker) onto the main line, then tie a small barrel swivel. Attach a 12–18 inch leader of 20–30lb monofilament to the other end of the swivel, then tie on your hook. The sinker slides freely up the main line — when a catfish picks up the bait and moves, it feels no resistance from the sinker. Bait the hook with chicken liver, cut bait, or stink bait, cast to a deep hole or channel edge, and tighten the line until the sinker rests on the bottom with slight tension.

How to Catch Catfish

Three species dominate catfish fishing in North America, each with distinct preferences in habitat, diet, and behavior — and each requiring slightly different tactics.

The Three Main Catfish Species

Channel Catfish

The most common and widely distributed catfish. Found in nearly every river, lake, and reservoir. Adaptable, opportunistic feeders — they eat almost anything with a strong smell. Average 2–8 pounds; 10–20 pound fish are not uncommon. The beginner’s catfish.

Blue Catfish

The largest North American catfish species — 50–100 pound blue catfish exist in large southern rivers. They prefer large rivers with current and fresh, clean water. Primarily fish-eaters (piscivorous) — fresh-cut shad is the top bait.

Flathead Catfish

Solitary, ambush predators that hold under logs and in deep holes. They are strict live-bait feeders — unlike channel and blue catfish, flatheads rarely take dead or prepared baits. Targeted with large live bluegill, chubs, and bullheads. Produce some of the largest freshwater fish caught by rod and reel.

Where to Find Catfish

Rivers

The best catfish water in a river:

Deep bends — outside bends where current has scoured a deep hole; catfish rest at the bottom during the day
Tailwaters — the turbulent water immediately below a dam concentrates shad, baitfish, and huge blue catfish
Log jams and snags — flatheads live under large submerged logs; channel cats use same areas
Gravel bars and flats at night — catfish leave deep holes to feed in shallow, current-swept gravel at night
Wing dams — rock structures extending from shore; catfish hold on the downstream edges

Lakes and Reservoirs

Channel edges — old river channels through the reservoir
Deep flats — soft bottom areas at 15–25 feet
Points and creek mouths — converging current in coves
Rocky riprap — dam faces, road crossings, bridge pilings

Seasonal Patterns

Spring

Channel catfish spawn in early summer (70–80°F), using rock cavities, hollow logs, and undercut banks. Pre-spawn fish are aggressive and feeding — spring and early summer is the best time for large channel cats on stink bait and cut bait.

Summer

Summer is peak catfishing time. Channel cats bite all night. Blue catfish school below dams in tailwaters. Flatheads are most active at night in summer, leaving their log pile lairs to hunt. Night fishing in summer with cut shad for blues and live bait for flatheads is the most productive catfishing scenario of the year.

Fall

As water cools, channel cats group up in deeper holes. Feed less frequently but still take bait. Blue catfish school on baitfish. A productive fall day often involves finding a concentration of fish in a 10–20 foot hole.

Winter

The slowest season. Catfish are sluggish in cold water, grouped in the deepest available water. Fish extremely slowly, directly on the bottom with fresh, smelly bait. Some areas produce significant catches of blue catfish through winter.

Best Catfish Rigs

Slip Sinker Rig (Standard)

See FAQ above — the all-purpose catfish rig for channel and blue cats. Use See our catfish rig guide for full setup instructions.

Three-Way Rig

A three-way swivel with the main line, a sinker dropper (lighter line, 12–24 inches), and a bait leader (18–30 inches). Designed for fishing in current — the sinker holds bottom while the bait drifts naturally at a different height. Excellent in river current.

Float Rig for Flatheads

A large foam float, 2–4 feet above a size 6/0–8/0 hook with a large live bluegill or chub. Cast to a log jam or deep bank and let the float drift the bait into the target zone. Flatheads take live bait aggressively at night.

Knots for Catfish

Catfish rigs require strong, reliable connections — catfish are powerful and heavy:

Main line to swivel: Uni Knot or Palomar Knot on 17–30lb monofilament
Leader to hook: Improved Clinch Knot or Palomar — both work on the thick, stiff monofilament used for leaders

Gear for Catfish

Rod: 7–8 foot medium-heavy to heavy power, moderate action (baitcasting or spinning)
Reel: Large spinning reel (4000–6000 series) or baitcasting reel with strong drag
Line: 17–30lb monofilament or 30–50lb braid for main line; 20–30lb mono leader
Hooks: 1/0–3/0 circle hooks for channel cats; 5/0–8/0 circle hooks for blues and flatheads
Sinkers: 1–4oz no-roll or egg sinkers