Local fishing guide Steve Kite has seen an increased interest in catfishing in recent years. "Catfishing is really getting popular and has gained ground across the country in recent years," he says. "It's a fun type of fishing for less-experienced fishermen, and there's plenty of good catfish in the reservoirs in the area.
Catfish like cooler water and now is the time for them to get more active and be found in different parts of area lakes and rivers."The Tennessee River has one of the best catfisheries in the United States and a lot of my clients are amazed at how much fun it is."
Catfish like cooler water and now is the time for them to get more active and be found in different parts of area lakes and rivers. "Much like bass, these catfish are smart and they follow the shad to feed on them," explains Kite. "As water cools, the catfish will follow the shad into the bays and other shallow water."
Fall is also a good time to fish for catfish because they are actively feeding to prepare for the winter. "Fall is much better because they are building up fat to get ready for the winter so they can survive to the spring and through the spawning season."
TRY THESE TIPS FOR CATCHING CATFISH AS FALL BEGINS TO ARRIVE:
Nighttime is the Right Time
Even though the weather is cooler, it's important to remember that catfish are basically nocturnal in nature. That's not to say that catfish can't be caught during the day, but for the best fishing, start your trip around dusk and fish into the dark of the evening.
Stinky is Better
Catfish tend to like food with strong smell and taste. Don't be afraid to use pungent bait when trying to land a big catfish. Cut up fish that has been allowed to "mature." Beef or chicken livers can bring out even the most picky catfish. Also, try making your own "stink bait" by mixing raw liver, cheese and cut fish in a blender and making balls of bait held together with bread or crackers. It's not the most appetizing recipe for humans, but the catfish seem to like it.
Fish the Rip-Rap
Large loose rocks, known as rip-rap, placed along the shoreline to prevent erosion or at the pylons of bridges and docks is an excellent environment to find all kinds of fish, and catfish are no exception. The stones provide a good habitat for the fish and are also often home to small fish and other sources of food for the larger catfish. Fishing a simple rig baited with your preferred catfish bait over these submerged rocks can be a successful strategy.
Fish a Little Shallower
Catfish change their pattern as the water temperature drops. While they will still stay in deeper water, the fall brings them up to mid-depths looking for food. Fish the ledges near deeper water as well as at the mouth of feeder streams near the flats.
Soap for Success
By far one of the strangest catfish baits is a bar of soap, but for some reason it works. Traditionally, plain white Ivory Soap is known by some as the preferred soap of catfish. Reasons vary for why white soap is an effective bait. Some say the white looks like the belly of a baitfish, while others say the strong scent and taste attracts catfish for some reason. After all the stinky bait used in catfishing, a little soap might be a nice change of pace.