You will require the following equipment:
- Boat
- Boat anchors
- A separate 12v battery is required to run the lights
- Evening Lights
- Submerged Lighting
- Live Bait Keeper
- Chum bag
Rod holders - Heavy Bait Casting and Spinning Rig
- Insect Repellent
Evening fishing for catfish is a rewarding way to go fishing. You can catch catfish if you fish correctly. Catfish are active at night, feeding in large numbers and can get caught up to a minute before dawn. Submerged lighting is attractive to catfish. They also have an excellent sense of smell. With these simple tricks, you can lure catfish to your line if they can be found in their nightly habitats. You must prepare for night fishing. It is completely different than during the day. Night fishing is a different experience.
Night fishing with a boat setup
You will need the following things before you consider night fishing for catfish: lights inside your boat; either battery- or Coleman-fuel type lanterns, with at least two lamps. You should arrange your lights in such a manner that they evenly spread light throughout the boat. My personal pontoon is 20 feet long. I fish with 3 halogen batteries powered lights. One hangs from the canopy at the back, the other 2 are in front. I have tried my Colemans, but they do attract lots of insects.
Also, you will require a second light to illuminate your body. You will need this light to re-rig your fishing poles. You will lose your tackle no matter what you do before you go. This can be controlled by using heavy tackle, and making sure that your line stays fresh.
A light will be needed to illuminate the water surface. It should be mounted in the middle of the boat on either the left or right side. Personaly, I prefer an adjustable halogen I can attach to the railing of my pontoon. At a 60-degree angle, direct the light from water to boat. The surface will be illuminated.
Submerged lighting is essential. You may be asking, “Why do I need submerged lighting?” Submerged lighting can create plankton swirls, which attract bait fish. When the bait fish begin schooling, The big cats will follow. You can attract schools with submerged lighting. There are many sizes and shapes.” long about 4″ in diameter. The submerged light should be centered in the illuminated pattern of your surface water lighting. Submerged lighting must be secured at least 12 inches. ” off the bottom, (without an anchor they will float on top of the water).. make sure the light completely submerged under the water. I recommend you use a 5lb weight as an anchor. If possible, anchor the submerged light about 2 to 3 ft from the boat.
You will need a secondary power source for the submerged light, the water illumination light and to operate your aerator pump for your live bait or live well.”Do not make use of your boat’s power source” This will drain your battery.”It’s not a good idea to stay on the lake after dark, right? A 12v battery marine battery will be your backup source of power and it should last the entire night.
Pre-rigged poles are required. I recommend that you set up at least 3 poles for each person, if possible. It’s a pain in the rear. “blank” To re-rig at night. This is something you will do anyway. However, if you already have poles, you should use them before you waste valuable time taking poles off the water.
How to locate the cat’s nightly haunts
According to my observations, the larger cat roams the backwaters and shores in search of food every night. Each body of water is different. Do your research before you go to the area where you are going to be night-fishing for catfish. Before you go on your trip, make sure to get a topographical map. They can be obtained at any local tackle and bait shops. I recommend that you go to one of these shops. If you are willing to dig deeper, these guys will be able to point out where to fish. It will help you save a lot of time.
How to lure the cats into your boat
After you have all your lights, including your submerged and water surface lights, set up you can fish. Submerged lighting is a great way to attract bait fish schools, but you can also use your catfish’s sense of smell to drive them into feeding frenzy. Ok, now tell me how!
You can solve this problem by simply introducing “chumming”. Chumming creates a layer of dead fish smells as well as fish guts which the catfish and small bait fish eat. Although there are many commercial systems that can be purchased and work extremely well, my preferred method is simple and affordable. A nylon netted bag is necessary that can be closed tightly. You can use the nylon netted bags you used to put your golf balls. They have a tight closure and are very affordable. You should also get 3 freezer bags for a single night’s trip.
The next step is to purchase approximately 2 dozen good-sized chubs, and then cut them into 1″ to 2″Cut the slices in half. Place the frozen pieces in freezer bags. Add the juice. Let them rest outside to dry. It will smell like rotten eggs by the end, but it is okay. Place the frozen bag on top of the bag. Secure the freezer bag tightly and tie 2 feet of a string at the bag’s bottom. For the bag’s bottom attachment, attach a 2lb weight anchor. Attach a string to the top of your bag. Make sure you have enough lead rope so that the bag can be secured at its bottom. Take an icepick, or anything sharp, to puncture the plastic, before you lower it down. Then punch the bag several times and tie the ends on the sides of the boat.
The time has come to catch fish. Let’s take a look at your catfish rigs before we get there. You have many options for catfish rigs. They all work well in the situations that they were designed. You should fish at night with a submerged lighting system. Your line should be 2 feet away from the light source.
Fishing is only possible within a very short distance of the boat. Therefore, your rigs must be close to the boat. Fishing tightline could be done with basic catfish hooks and small sinkers. You could also use slip bobbers. The slip bobber is my preferred method.
Single hook is my preferred rig. Although both rigs are acceptable, I prefer the single hook one. When fishing for different types of fish, I use the double-hook rig. My rods are all heavy duty and have 30 lb. test. If you are lucky enough to catch a big one, you need the right tackle. Although you might miss smaller fish, it is well worth the effort when you land your first catfish of 10lb or more.
Baits To Use
Channel catfish and Blue catfish both eat small fish such as Suckers and small shad. Both live and dead bait are used. “cut bait”One pole will usually be set up with a tiny live gill that is no longer than three inches in length. I will bait my other poles with large suckers, usually cut bait.” or longer cut in 1″To 2 inches in size
Get your boat setup and baited, then go out on a night fishing trip for Catfish! The only way to get hooked for good is after you’ve caught that 10 pounder! Enjoy your time and have good luck.