Pond Catfishing

Pond catfishing can be just as exciting as fishing at any major lake or river. The fish in ponds may not grow to 100 pounds, but a 10-pound channel catfish can really give you chills when hooked up.

Recently, Sue and I fished our small lake, and it was game on for the channel cats while we were panfishing. Within minutes, Sue hooked up, and the loud squeal of the drag while that 8-pound channel screamed out into the lake was very exciting. I had to instruct Sue to tighten the drag before the scrappy fish ran the reel out of line. The B’n’M rod was bent double, the Gamma Fishing line was singing as it cut through the water, and the Tru-Turn hook performed perfectly.

Just because they are in a pond does not mean the fish are not powerful. It is astonishing how quickly they can generate speed and power.

Roughly 15 minutes later, I hooked one of the bigger giants, which was just about three feet long and very wide. The hook came out after a five-minute fight, but the fun had already begun. Not only are they fun, but they are good eating, too.

We caught these using small pieces of diced hot dog. They can’t resist it. And if you are using plastics, they love Bobby Garland Crappie Baits Slab Slay’Rs in black-and-chartreuse and black-and-pink colors.

Oh, and by the way, the hot dog pieces and the BG baits will also catch beautiful redear sunfish and hybrid bluegills.

Here’s wishing you one of these fun fishing trips.

Don’t forget to take a kid fishing!!

God Bless,

Dan Dannenmueller, Publisher