Guest author George Nielsen with a Channel Catfish caught at night
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
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Note: I do not regularly fish for Channel Catfish, so much of the content below was provided by guest author George Nielsen of www.floattubefishing.com
Channel Catfish Description
Channel Catfish are the most common catfish in North America. It is the state fish of a number of states including Kansas, Missouri, and Tennessee. They are a popular sportfish and also a popular for aquaculture since they are relatively hardy and easy to keep.
Because of their keen ability to survive, they occupy most waters in the US. No matter where you live in the US, it's likely there is a pond, lake, river, or stream near you that has some. They’re considered a warm water fish, but they can thrive in cold water areas as well. In fact, 20lb. Channels are regularly caught in Ontario, Canada. They have also been transplanted to other countries including Mexico, parts of Europe, and parts of Asia.
Channel Catfish Tackle
You don't need specialized tackle to catch Channel Cats. A medium action freshwater spinning rod and reel and 8-12lb line is adequate to catch the average channel. Channels average 3-5lbs in size, but can grow as large as 30-50lbs. Channel Cats are decent fighters and often dive deep and keep pulling. Make sure to set your drag adequately so you can have a healthy game of tug-of-war while keeping constant pressure, especially if you are fishing with light line. Click here for tackle recommendations.
Channel Catfish Techniques
Channel Catfish can be caught on both bait and lures, although they are most often pursued with bait. Bass fishermen sometimes catch spawning Channel Cats on a variety of bass lures, but they are an incidental catch. My daughter once caught an 11lber on a Heddon Zara Spook topwater lure.
It’s most common for Channels to be caught from the bank. However, drift fishing for them from a boat can be effective in deeper waters. Just make sure you have solid rod holders, otherwise, a strong Channel can pull your rod right into the water. Kayak fishing and float tube fishing can also be great ways to hunt down Channel Catfish. Float tubers can often get pulled around by larger cats. Ever had a Channel Catfish sleigh ride? You should try it! Ultimately, Channels are accessible to most anglers, as they often hunt/forage close to shore.
Channel Catfish Lures
Many lures will occasionally work, but I do not know of any that I would use to regularly target these fish.
Channel Catfish Baits
Many people assume you need smelly baits to catch catfish. Smelly baits do work, but fresh bait is what avid catfishermen will use. Catfish will scavenge around the bottom and eat dead fish, but they’re also excellent hunters and powerful swimmers. The best bait to use is the cut-bait from a fish species residing in that body of water (following local regulations of course). Examples of popular cut bait would be carp, white bass, and chub meat. Shrimp is a very popular bait used across the country. Chicken liver has also been known to catch catfish. Good ole’ trusty nightcrawlers will also land you a cat on most occasions. However, if you use nightcrawlers or smaller bait, you may get more nibbles from pesky mudcats (Bullhead Catfish), their smaller cousins, instead of Channels.
Where to get the big Channel Catfish
Big Channel Catfish can be found all across the United States. The world record Channel Cat, a whopping 58lber, was caught in South Carolina in 1964. Nowadays, a fish even half that size is a giant.
Ictalurus punctatus
HOME
Other Species
Note: I do not regularly fish for Channel Catfish, so much of the content below was provided by guest author George Nielsen of www.floattubefishing.com
Channel Catfish Description
Channel Catfish are the most common catfish in North America. It is the state fish of a number of states including Kansas, Missouri, and Tennessee. They are a popular sportfish and also a popular for aquaculture since they are relatively hardy and easy to keep.
Because of their keen ability to survive, they occupy most waters in the US. No matter where you live in the US, it's likely there is a pond, lake, river, or stream near you that has some. They’re considered a warm water fish, but they can thrive in cold water areas as well. In fact, 20lb. Channels are regularly caught in Ontario, Canada. They have also been transplanted to other countries including Mexico, parts of Europe, and parts of Asia.
Channel Catfish Tackle
You don't need specialized tackle to catch Channel Cats. A medium action freshwater spinning rod and reel and 8-12lb line is adequate to catch the average channel. Channels average 3-5lbs in size, but can grow as large as 30-50lbs. Channel Cats are decent fighters and often dive deep and keep pulling. Make sure to set your drag adequately so you can have a healthy game of tug-of-war while keeping constant pressure, especially if you are fishing with light line. Click here for tackle recommendations.
Channel Catfish Techniques
Channel Catfish can be caught on both bait and lures, although they are most often pursued with bait. Bass fishermen sometimes catch spawning Channel Cats on a variety of bass lures, but they are an incidental catch. My daughter once caught an 11lber on a Heddon Zara Spook topwater lure.
It’s most common for Channels to be caught from the bank. However, drift fishing for them from a boat can be effective in deeper waters. Just make sure you have solid rod holders, otherwise, a strong Channel can pull your rod right into the water. Kayak fishing and float tube fishing can also be great ways to hunt down Channel Catfish. Float tubers can often get pulled around by larger cats. Ever had a Channel Catfish sleigh ride? You should try it! Ultimately, Channels are accessible to most anglers, as they often hunt/forage close to shore.
Channel Catfish Lures
Many lures will occasionally work, but I do not know of any that I would use to regularly target these fish.
Channel Catfish Baits
Many people assume you need smelly baits to catch catfish. Smelly baits do work, but fresh bait is what avid catfishermen will use. Catfish will scavenge around the bottom and eat dead fish, but they’re also excellent hunters and powerful swimmers. The best bait to use is the cut-bait from a fish species residing in that body of water (following local regulations of course). Examples of popular cut bait would be carp, white bass, and chub meat. Shrimp is a very popular bait used across the country. Chicken liver has also been known to catch catfish. Good ole’ trusty nightcrawlers will also land you a cat on most occasions. However, if you use nightcrawlers or smaller bait, you may get more nibbles from pesky mudcats (Bullhead Catfish), their smaller cousins, instead of Channels.
Where to get the big Channel Catfish
Big Channel Catfish can be found all across the United States. The world record Channel Cat, a whopping 58lber, was caught in South Carolina in 1964. Nowadays, a fish even half that size is a giant.
A healthy Channel Catfish caught from a float tube, which is probably the funnest way to catch them.
Not the best picture, but here is www.howtocatchanyfish.com author Dan Smith with a 13lber caught from a float tube using a tiny plastic jig and 4lb test while fishing for panfish. Channel Catfish are sometimes caught on lures meant for other fish, although they are primarily targeted with bait.
A Channel Catfish caught from the bank.