A bent rod and tight line—sure signs of a hooked catfish. Keep steady pressure and let the rod do the work.
Hooked Up? Here’s What to Do Next!
Story and Photo by Keith “Catfish” Sutton
So, you’ve got a bite. Now what?
When a catfish takes your bait, you might feel a sharp tug, a steady pull or just see your line twitch. If you’re watching a bobber, a clean dive underwater usually means it’s go time. But even a tiny wiggle of the float can be the first sign that a curious cat is sizing up your offering.
Once you notice any of that, reel up the slack and make sure your line is tight. A snug line helps you feel exactly what’s going on below and gets you ready for the next move—setting the hook.
To do that, point your rod tip toward the fish, then snap it back sharply, either up toward your shoulder or off to one side. The goal is to drive the hook point home so it sticks. Then start reeling right away to keep pressure on the fish. From this moment on, steady pressure is your best friend.
But take note: if you’re using circle hooks—a favorite among catfish anglers—don’t jerk to set the hook. Instead, just start reeling steadily while keeping the line tight. Circle hooks are designed to rotate and catch in the corner of the fish’s mouth on their own. A hard hookset can actually pull the bait right out.
Every fish reacts differently when hooked. Some catfish bulldog straight to the bottom, others make a fast dash for cover, and the occasional one will surprise you by thrashing at the surface. Your job is to stay calm and let the rod and reel work together to wear the fish down.
Smaller fish are usually no trouble. They’ll give a few shakes and come in easy. Big cats, though, can test your patience and your tackle. With heavy gear, you can sometimes muscle them in. But if you’re using light tackle, the fight takes more finesse. Keep your cool and take your time. Rushing usually ends in a lost fish.
Rule One: Keep the line tight—always. A loose line is an open door for the fish to throw the hook.
Rule Two: Don’t try to win the fight with just the reel. Let the rod do the heavy lifting. Lift the rod tip up high to pull the fish, then reel as you lower the rod back down to about a 45-degree angle. Pull up, reel down: that’s the rhythm.
Your rod’s bend is your best tool for wearing the fish out. Think of the reel as storage for your line, not as the muscle behind the fight.
If you’re fishing light tackle, play the fish gently. If you’re around heavy cover like logs, brush or thick weeds, step up your tackle ahead of time so you can keep control when a big one heads for trouble.
And above all, don’t rush. A strong, green fish can tear loose or snap the line if you reel too hard, too soon. Be patient, keep steady pressure, and let the rod’s flex and the fish’s own fight work in your favor. When it’s finally tired, that’s your time to reel it in and claim your prize.
(CatfishNOW editor Keith Sutton has been an avid catfish angler for almost 60 years. His magazine articles and books about catfishing have helped millions of people catch more fish.)
