May Means It’s Time

By Keith “Catfish” Sutton, Editor

There’s something about May that makes a catfish angler’s heart beat a little faster. Maybe it’s the warmth creeping back into the air, the greening of the trees or the way the lakes and rivers seem to come alive again. Maybe it’s the memories—of years past, of big fish and good meals and lazy days on the water. Whatever the reason, one thing is for sure: for many folks, May means it’s finally time to go catfishing.

While there are plenty of die-hard anglers who chase cats all winter long—bundled in layers, braving the elements, pulling blues from deep holes—catfishing has always been, at its heart, a warm-weather pursuit. It’s a tradition that’s tied to sunshine, sweat and the smell of cut-bait. It’s about the splash of a channel cat tail in the shallows and the tug of a flathead pulling back just when you thought he was done.

For most of us, May is the start of that season.

All across the country, anglers are dusting off their tackle boxes, respooling their reels, checking hooks and buying bait. Boats that have been sitting idle since fall are getting washed and fueled. Bank anglers are scouting out their favorite spots, hoping no one else beat them to it. Some are organizing night-fishing trips with old friends. Others are taking their kids out for the first time this year, excited to see their faces light up when that first fish hits.

And the fish? They’re waking up, too.

As the water warms, catfish begin to stir from their cold-weather sluggishness. Channel cats cruise the shallows. Blues begin moving up rivers and toward the mouths of creeks, chasing schools of bait. Flatheads get active, feeding in preparation for the summer spawn. In short, it’s prime time.

At CatfishNOW, we try to bring you good stories and helpful information every month of the year, but we know that May marks a shift. Our readers are no longer just dreaming about the next trip—they’re making it happen. They’re casting from the bank, drifting along a channel edge or working a slip-sinker rig with a box of nightcrawlers. And we’re right there with them.

This month’s issue is full of stories to inspire and advice to help you make the most of this season. Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a seasoned pro or a family just looking to spend time outdoors, there’s something in here for you. Our topnotch writers provide a variety of features on everything from dip baits and prespawn fishing tactics to properly fishing the tailwaters of big river dams.

So, here’s to May. To warm mornings and late sunsets. To peeling line and bent rods. To coolers filled with whiskerfish and fryers bubbling with oil. To kids laughing and grown-ups grinning. To traditions old and new.

Here’s to catfishing season.
I’ll see you downstream.

Keith “Catfish” Sutton, Editor