Article Library

CFN How-to Video with David Magness—A Quick Way to Fillet a Catfish

Capt. David Magness with Cat’n Aroun’ Guide Service shows a quick and easy way to get beautiful pieces of boneless meat from the eating-size catfish you catch

Guide of the Month: Jimmi Brown, Chasin Cats by Capt. Richard Simms

Chasin’ Cats guide Jimmi Brown shows off a trophy-sized channel catfish caught in central Iowa. Photo courtesy of Jimmi Brown Guide of the Month: Jimmi Brown, Chasin Cats by Capt. Richard Simms Jimmi Brown, owner/guide of Chasin’ Cats in Iowa, says, “My passion for fishing started at an early age while tagging along with my […]

River Rumors: One Catfish, Three Decades of History Story and photo by Keith “Catfish” Sutton

A flathead catfish like this one can live for decades under the right conditions, as shown by a remarkable recapture at Canton Lake, Illinois.   River Rumors: One Catfish, Three Decades of History Story and photo by Keith “Catfish” Sutton Catfish anglers love to talk about old fish, but every once in a while the […]

River Raid Crackdown

Protecting Kentucky’s rivers and catfish populations: Game wardens conducted a 10-month investigation into illegal commercial fishing activity known as Operation River Raid. Photo by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife River Raid Crackdown Source:  Kentucky Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Resources After a 10-month multi-agency investigation, game wardens with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources […]

Power-Pole VISION (7″ & 12″)

Power-Pole VISION (7" & 12") A Smarter Command Center for Serious Anglers Modern anglers carry more tech than ever—graphs, anchors, trolling motors, navigation apps, music, cameras—and managing it all usually means juggling multiple screens and a phone that never stays dry. Power-Pole VISION changes that. VISION is a fishing-first marine infotainment display designed to become [...]

Presidents’ Day Catfish By Keith “Catfish” Sutton

An extra day off and deep winter water produced this Presidents’ Day stringer of channel catfish for CatfishNOW editor Keith Sutton. Photo by Alex Hinson   Presidents’ Day Catfish By Keith “Catfish” Sutton Looking to catch a mess of channel cats for your next fish fry? Load up your tackle and head for the nearest […]

Guntersville Headwaters = Trophy Flatheads by Richard Simms

Brittany and Bryan Sapp routinely travel from Pennsylvania to catfish with Scenic City Fishing Charters. On one of those trips, they targeted flatheads on the Guntersville headwaters with great success. Photo by Capt. Richard Simms   Guntersville Headwaters = Trophy Flatheads by Richard Simms The Tennessee Valley Authority website describes Guntersville Reservoir, on the Tennessee […]

Atchafalaya Catfish By John K. Flores

Morgan City Oilfield Fishing Rodeo angler Jacob Aucoin (right) shows off two blue catfish during the 2025 event in Morgan City. His fish on the left weighed 37.78 pounds, good enough for third place during the event.   Atchafalaya Catfish By John K. Flores The Choctaw called it the Atchafalaya, meaning “Long River.” And, indeed, […]

The Santee Cooper Lakes Story and photos by Terry Madewell

Excellent catfishing is available year-round on lakes Marion and Moultrie, but tactics change seasonally.   The Santee Cooper Lakes Story and photos by Terry Madewell Catfishermen are optimists in the sense that they’re willing to travel to find excellent catfishing opportunities, and many would qualify for card-carrying membership in a “Have Rigs, Will Travel for […]

CFN How-to Video—Sinker Slides & Knot Protectors

Catfish guide Capt. David Magness breaks down two small pieces of terminal tackle that can make a big difference on the water: sinker slides and knot protectors. In this quick how-to, Magness explains what they do, when to use them and how they help improve bait presentation while protecting your knots from wear and damage. […]

Guide of the Month: Matt “Catmatt” Jones by Capt. Richard Simms

 Matt ‘Catmatt” Jones specializes in seeking trophy flatheads on Illinois’ Rock River. He has retired from full-time guiding, but continues part time and is one of those rare guides who offer guaranteed success. Photo courtesy Matt “Catmatt” Jones   Guide of the Month: Matt “Catmatt” Jones by Capt. Richard Simms (Editor’s Note: This month marks […]

Looking Back at an Impressive Record

Alexandra Hall with her impressive 63-pound record-setting blue catfish, caught in the James River in Virginia in December 2022. Photo courtesy of IGFA Looking Back at an Impressive Record Source: IGFA A recent post on the International Game Fish Association’s Facebook page provided a fun reminder of a record winter catfish catch three years ago. […]