PUBLISHER
Dan Dannenmueller
EDITOR
Keith “Catfish” Sutton
SR. WRITER
Ron Presley
ART/ CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Matt Mullikin
WRITERS
Brad Durick
Brent Frazee
Michael Giles
Anietra Hamper
Terry Madewell
Ron Presley
Richard Simms
Keith Sutton
Jeffrey Miller
Richard Hines
Copyright © 2025 CatfishNow Online Magazine. A KMS, Inc. Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Cover Photo Credit
Lindsey Brown of Spartanburg, South Carolina caught this beautiful blue cat in Lake Moultrie, one of the famed Santee Cooper lakes. Lindsey and her husband are a well-known, highly competitive tournament team couple. (Photo by Terry Madewell)
Fantastic Fall!
Fall is a fantastic time for catfishing! As water temperatures cool down, catfish become more active and begin feeding heavily in preparation for winter. Here’s a guide to help you make the most of fall catfishing.
Best Time to Fish
- Early Morning & Late Afternoon – Great for shallow-water bites.
- Night Fishing – Still productive, especially in warmer fall months.
- After Rain – Increased water flow stirs up bait and attracts catfish.
Best Catfish Species in Fall
- Channel Catfish – Active in shallows and near structure.
- Blue Catfish – Found in deeper water but move shallower during feeding times.
- Flathead Catfish – Still feeding heavily before winter, often near wood cover.
Where to Fish
- Transition Zones – Where shallow water drops into deeper holes.
- River Bends – Slow-moving water near deep channels.
- Creek Mouths – Especially after rain; baitfish congregate here.
- Structure – Fallen trees, rocks, logjams or man-made structures.
Best Baits for Fall Catfishing
- Live Bait (especially for flatheads): Bluegill, shad or small carp.
- Cut-bait (great for blues and channels): Shad, skipjack or herring.
- Prepared Baits (for channel cats): Stinkbaits, dipbaits, chicken liver.
- Nightcrawlers – Work well in early fall for smaller cats.
Tackle & Rigging Tips
- Rod & Reel: Medium-heavy rod, spinning or baitcasting reel.
- Line: 15- to 30-pound test mono or braid depending on species/structure.
- Rigs: – Slip Sinker Rig (Carolina Rig) – Most popular for catfishing.
– Float Rigs – Good for fishing near structure.
– Three-Way Rig – Great for river fishing and keeping bait off the bottom.
Fall Catfishing Tips
- Follow the Baitfish – Catfish follow shad schools in fall.
- Fish Shallow on Warm Days – Especially during sunny afternoons.
- Go Deep on Cold Fronts – Catfish retreat to deeper holes.
- Slow Your Presentation – Fish become less aggressive as temps drop.
- Be Mobile – Don’t be afraid to change spots every hour if you’re not getting bites.
Take some time to check out catfishing in October. They are already feeding up for winter, and it will continue as the food is plentiful.
Check out this month’s edition for more tips and tactics for catching catfish.
God Bless,
Dan Dannenmueller, Publisher
