Women, Whiskers and a Welcome Change
By Keith “Catfish” Sutton, Editor
Ask anyone who’s spent time on the water with a dedicated female angler, and they’ll tell you: fishing with women isn’t just fun. It can completely change the experience. That’s exactly what contributor Terry Madewell will explore in his article this month, and it’s a theme we see echoed again and again in the catfish community.
This special July issue of CatfishNOW is all about celebrating women who enjoy chasing whiskerfish as much as the guys do. The passion, grit and perspective they bring to the sport aren’t just refreshing. They’re redefining the landscape of modern catfishing.
Take Katie Allen, for example. She’s a dental assistant from Knoxville, Tennessee, who stumbled into the catfishing world not through family tradition or long-time ambition, but through a chance meeting with a catfishing YouTuber. From that first tug on the line to wrangling a 52-pound blue cat, Katie has embraced every challenge with enthusiasm. She’s living proof that anyone with the will to learn—and the patience to listen to a good teacher—can find themselves hooked for life.
Katie Allen: Climbing the Catfish Learning Curve by Richard Simms
Katie Allen admits she is still climbing the learning curve on catfishing, but it is quite clear that she enjoys the work. (Contributed Photo) Katie Allen: Climbing the Catfish Learning Curve by Richard Simms Slicing across the mirror-smooth surface, the fluorescent green planer board cut a gentle, steady wake. Suddenly, however, the board shot across […]
Life After Landing A State-Record Catfish By Anietra Hamper
Jaylynn Parker with her 101.11-pound Ohio state-record blue catfish caught in an Ohio River tributary in 2024. Photo by Kristen Parker Life After Landing A State-Record Catfish By Anietra Hamper Teenager Jaylynn Parker reflects on the past year after catching the Ohio state-record blue catfish, the controversy and her journey in the spotlight. A lot […]
Catfishing with Women: It’s Seriously Fun Story and photos by Terry Madewell
Capt. Barbara “Mouse” Witherell said, “Smile! It’s fun to just be catfishing and fun to catch them!” Catfishing with Women: It’s Seriously Fun Story and photos by Terry Madewell Catfishing with women adds unique and important perspectives. Growing up in a rural area provided me the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the great outdoors, and […]
Catfish Basics #179, Shine on the Shoreline Story and photo by Keith “Catfish” Sutton
Bank fishing for catfish is simple, affordable and confidence-building, especially for women just getting started. With basic gear and a little know-how, skills develop quickly. Photo by Kody Lucas Catfish Basics #179, Shine on the Shoreline by Keith “Catfish” Sutton If you’re a woman who’s new to fishing or thinking about giving it a try, […]
Catfish Kids: Monster Cats Make a Splash in Arkansas Ponds By Keith “Catfish” Sutton
Anglers at Family and Community Program ponds are certain to enjoy larger-than-normal size stockings of channel and blue catfish provided by Baxter Land Company’s catfish farms. Photo courtesy of AGFC Catfish Kids: Monster Cats Make a Splash in Arkansas Ponds By Keith “Catfish” Sutton If you’ve been thinking about taking your kids fishing this […]
Boss Kat Sinker Slides & Knot Protectors By Keith “Catfish” Sutton
Boss Kat Sinker Slides & Knot Protectors By Keith “Catfish” Sutton When it comes to catfishing, little details in your terminal tackle can make a big difference. Two often-overlooked components—sinker slides and knot protectors—can help you build better rigs that are more sensitive, more adaptable and less prone to failure. Boss Kat offers both in [...]
Nesting Boxes Aim to Boost Illinois Catfish Populations By Keith “Catfish” Sutton
Crews installed the channel catfish spawning boxes in Illinois’ lakes Mattoon, Paradise and Charleston in June. Photo courtesy of Illinois DNR Nesting Boxes Aim to Boost Illinois Catfish Populations. By Keith “Catfish” Sutton In a promising new conservation effort, approximately 150 wooden spawning boxes have been placed in three Illinois reservoirs—Lake Mattoon, Lake Paradise, and […]
Same Fish, New Record Source: West Virginia Department of Natural Resources
Justin Connor from Milton, West Virginia caught a 51.49-inch, 66.3-pound blue catfish on the Kanawha River in Putnam County, breaking the state’s previous blue catfish length record. Photo courtesy of West Virginia DNR Same Fish, New Record Source: West Virginia Department of Natural Resources West Virginia’s Spotty the Catfish establishes another record. In the dark, […]
Page From the Past: Ozark Whoppers
Page From the Past: Ozark Whoppers Long before social media carried tales of record-breaking catfish, one man was writing down the tall ones passed from front porches to potluck suppers across the Arkansas Ozarks. That man was Vance Randolph, a folklorist who spent much of the 20th century chronicling the oral traditions, superstitions and songs […]
CFN How-to Video with Tiffany Reed-Lawrence—Dear Women Anglers: Just Have Fun!
CFN How-to Video with Tiffany Reed-Lawrence—Dear Women Anglers: Just Have Fun! B’n’M pro staff angler Tiffany Reed-Lawrence from Moraine, Ohio approaches catfishing with one thing in mind: having fun. Whether she is recreational fishing or participating in a tournament with her husband Ryan Lawrence, her message is plain and simple. Being male or female doesn’t […]
