Catfish fishing – information and tips on how to catch a catfish (part 2)

In our first part, we gave you lots of useful information and tips about catfish fishing. If you are interested in hunting for the underwater creature and have not yet read the first part, you can do so using this link . In the second part of our blog post, we would like to support you with further useful points on this topic. This part should give you a further overview so that you can approach your next fishing adventure well prepared.

The catfish grip - the alternative to the landing net

Due to their enormous size, catfish cannot simply be brought to land with a conventional landing net. Instead, you have to resort to more aggressive means to be successful in the end. The catfish grip provides quick relief and promises success.

The tooth plate of the lower jaw is the perfect place to grab hold of the fish with your fingers and build up a certain stability. At the same time, use the concentrated power of your thumb and press against the catfish's lower jaw from below . You will see that with this basic position, even the heaviest lump can be lifted out of the cool water with precision.

If you are fishing from a boat, for example, the fish can then be easily and conveniently transported over the railing into the boat. At this point, make sure that the fish is only pushed in over the back of the sea creature. If it is pulled into the boat over its stomach, there is a risk that the catfish will injure itself and suffer unnecessary pain.

Check in your local specialist shop to see if they have the right landing gloves. Despite their relatively low sharpness, the catfish's teeth can still cause serious damage to human skin. This risk is eliminated with gloves like these and you can also grab the fish with a better grip.

Compliance with applicable laws

Even though there are many laws in Germany that apply at the federal level, there are also some that are adapted to the specific circumstances of each federal state. This means that you should acquire this knowledge in advance before the trip begins. The Blinker.de portal has published a great list in this regard, which sorts the respective requirements by federal state . As a rule, the points are divided into the following two categories:

• minimum size
• closed seasons

Observing these two points is not only important when it comes to directly fishing for catfish or fish species in general. The use of bait fish must also be taken into account with regard to the legal situation and adapted to it if necessary.

Information about bait for catfish fishing

The catfish likes to enjoy its food and doesn't exactly choose from a small menu. The giant can be seduced by a variety of delicacies, which in turn means that you are anything but limited in your choice of bait . It is always advisable to have many different options with you so that you can test out what the catfish particularly likes on that day during your fishing trip. In the following section, we have put together a list of baits that could certainly arouse the fish's keen interest.

fish as bait

It is obvious that when choosing bait, you should primarily consider what the fish is most likely to encounter on a daily basis. Fish are the catfish's main source of food and should therefore always be present. The catfish will not be particularly bothered by the fact that the bait fish is already dead and its movements do not quite resemble those of a living fish. The current usually ensures that the bait fish still leaves an impression of movement and appears interesting to the underwater giant. The following two bait fish in particular could ensure that your fishing venture achieves positive results:

• crucian carp
• gable

The crucian carp is extremely effective as bait for catfish fishing, but there are a few legal aspects that need to be observed when using it. For example, using it as bait fish is strictly prohibited in Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse. In other federal states, the points about the closed season and minimum size mentioned in the previous section must be observed. The crucian carp is increasingly found in highly endangered habitats , so that the fish is on the red list in Germany. Make sure you know the exact conditions beforehand and you will see that this bait fish is very popular with catfish.

The crucian carp is often confused with the crucian carp and vice versa. It also has a carp-like body structure and is therefore ideal for hunting catfish. There are no minimum sizes or closed seasons to be observed with this bait fish, which makes fishing and prior planning much easier. You can use it as bait all year round, so the uncomplicated impression applies here too. Use it either whole or cut it into smaller pieces. Both variants are usually accepted very well by the catfish.

Additional baits for hunting catfish

There are also many different options aside from the bait fish that can be used to get the catfish to bite. In this section we would like to give you a deeper insight into the rest of the catfish's menu and provide you with information and tips. The following baits are possible, among others:

• earthworms
• leech
• squid
• Chicken giblets & liver

Earthworms can be called the originals of catfish baits and are extremely versatile. Obtaining them is time-saving, uncomplicated and inexpensive. They are available in every specialist shop and can also be ordered online to your home. While you are catfishing, take a thick bundle of around 25 worms and place them on the hook. The choice between a treble hook and a single hook is of secondary importance. Just make sure that the tips remain free.

Leeches still enjoy a slightly exotic status, but can be extremely effective when hunting catfish. They often survive a missed bite without being damaged, so they can be used again straight away. The movements in the cool water are an excellent way to attract catfish.

Underwater, squid tubes look like a fat bundle of worms to catfish. So you can probably imagine how attractive it is to use them and how successful they can be. It is recommended that you leave the squid lying around for several days after purchase so that an intense smell develops after a certain amount of time. This has an additional effect on the fish and lures it.

You should act in a similar way when preparing the chicken innards or liver. After the bait has been defrosted and left to stand for several days, it will also produce very special odors that attract the catfish in the water. In addition to chicken, cow and pork innards can also be used excellently.