A New Year on the Water

January always feels like a fresh page. The calendar flips, the holidays fade, and even though winter still has a firm grip on much of the country, most catfish anglers I know are already looking ahead. We’re checking gear, replaying moments from last season and quietly setting goals for the year to come. The fishing year may start in the cold, but for catfish anglers, it never really stops.

This time of year is about preparation as much as it is anticipation. Boats may be parked and ramps quieter than usual, but tackleboxes are getting reorganized, rods are being rerigged, and plans are being made. Winter gives us the chance to slow down just enough to think about how we want the upcoming season to look. Maybe it’s fishing new water, improving a technique that’s given you trouble or simply making more time to be on the water than you did last year.

January doesn’t mean the fishing has to stop, either. Catfish are still catchable for those willing to brave cold fingers and short days, and winter trips often offer solitude you won’t find in warmer months. At the same time, it’s hard not to look ahead to spring—when water temperatures rise, baitfish move and that familiar pull to be on the water becomes impossible to ignore.

Setting goals for the year is a natural part of this season, and that’s where CatfishNOW fits into the picture. Good goals are built on good information, and our mission has always been to provide anglers with insights they won’t easily find anywhere else. From in-depth tactics and regional patterns to gear breakdowns, fisheries updates and real-world experiences from anglers who live and breathe catfishing, this magazine is designed to help you fish smarter and with more confidence. Whether your goal is to catch bigger fish, understand new waters or simply enjoy the sport more fully, having reliable, experience-based information can make every trip more rewarding.

One of the things that makes catfishing special is the community around it. From bank anglers to seasoned pros, we all share the same excitement when a rod loads up and the drag starts to sing. A new year is a good reminder that we’re part of something bigger than any one fish or outing. Sharing knowledge, respecting the resource and welcoming new anglers into the fold all help ensure a strong future for the sport we love.

As we head into the new year, everyone at CatfishNOW looks forward to bringing you another season of useful information, great stories and shared passion for catfishing. However you choose to spend the months ahead, we hope they include clear goals, tight lines and plenty of time doing what matters most—being on the water.

I’ll see you downstream.

Keith “Catfish” Sutton, Editor