Catfish Equipment and Gear

Catfish Gear #80

Boss Kat Octopus Circle Hook BK11Z By Keith “Catfish” Sutton When you need one hook that does it all, consider Boss Kat’s versatile Octopus Circle. Boss Kat combined the best features of their Super Boss Circle Hook and a Boss Kat Octopus Hook to create the Boss Kat Octopus Circle Hook, an outstanding live bait […]

What’s New in Electronics 2024 Story and photos by Brad Wiegmann

Lowrance’s Eagle Eye was one of the new products released at ICAST.   What’s New in Electronics 2024 Story and photos by Brad Wiegmann One year ago, most anglers couldn’t afford forward-facing sonar (FFS), but with the release of Lowrance’s Eagle Eye, you can expect any one on the fence of buying an FFS unit […]

Catfish Gear #79 – Transform Your Fishing Experience With Driftmaster By Keith “Catfish” Sutton

Driftmaster rod holders will hold your rod securely, within reach, and release the rod the instant you set the hook. All the company’s products are made in the U.S. and have a lifetime warranty against breakage.   Transform Your Fishing Experience With Driftmaster By Keith “Catfish” Sutton Uncompromising rod holders and trolling systems made in […]

Zoom, Zoom to See More Story and photos by Brad Wiegmann

Bottom lock can be used to zoom in on the bottom layer when searching for fish or baitfish. Zoom, Zoom to See More Story and photos by Brad Wiegmann Zooming in on fish, baitfish, structure and cover is the easiest way to see what’s under your boat.     The question is to zoom or […]

What’s New for Catfish Anglers in 2024? Story and photos by: Joe Jellison, Fishing Guide, Scenic City Fishing Charters

What’s New for Catfish Anglers in 2024? Story and photos by: Joe Jellison, Fishing Guide, Scenic City Fishing Charters Here’s a sneak peak at the best new catfish gear from ICAST. ICAST is considered to be the world’s largest expo where fishing companies, anglers and social-media influencers can all network under one roof. It’s a [...]

Stinkbaits for Channel Catfish Story and photos by Terry Madewell

Professional guide Chris Simpson has used stinkbaits effectively for many years on multiple lakes.   Stinkbaits for Channel Catfish Story and photos by Terry Madewell Channel catfish can be caught on a variety of baits, but stinkbaits are highly productive, providing fast-paced action for these pugnacious catfish.      The first time I dipped a […]

CFN How-to Video—Using a Drift Sock with Rodney Crimm

CFN How-to Video—Using a Drift Sock with Rodney Crimm The action of a drift sock dragging in the water can help keep your boat straight or moving in the intended direction when drift fishing for catfish. It also helps to slow your boat to an ideal speed as it’s drifting across the water. B’n’M Poles […]

Catfish Gear #78

Atlas XH Catfish Rod Courtesy of B’n’M Poles The newest rod in B’n’M Poles’ catfish series has enough strength and backbone to subdue the biggest whiskerfish anywhere. If you need more backbone to land those monster cats, B’n’M Poles has you covered! The company’s all-new Atlas XH—a 7-foot, 6-inch one-piece rod made especially for the [...]

Wait Till You See This Screen by Brad Wiegmann

Can you spot the monitor in this group of sonar/GPS units? The NBT Marine Electronics is similar to a regular unit but costs less.   Wait Till You See This Screen by Brad Wiegmann Anglers can save money by adding a monitor instead of an additional sonar/GPS unit.    Just when you thought your boat […]

Catfish in Saltwater? You Bet

Gafftopsail catfish often show up in state agency surveys of shallow-water species. The fish are opportunistic and feed on live or dead items from the top of the water column to the bottom. (Credit La. Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries)     Gafftopsail Catfish: Saltwater Bad Boys Are Fun in a Pinch by Alan Clemons […]

Gafftopsail Cat

One Angler’s Trash Fish Just Might Be Another’s Treasure by Debbie Hanson Once a member of the “trash can slam,” the feisty sail cat is enjoying a new level of respect.   If gafftopsail catfish could talk, they’d likely borrow late comedian Rodney Dangerfield’s catchphrase, “I don’t get no respect!” Historically, saltwater cats have rarely […]

Where Did Catfish Come From?

Anietra Hamper and paleontologist Jean-Pierre Cavigelli and Tyler Greenfield, Tate Geological Museum Collections Assistant, searching for fossils on Casper Mountain. (Submitted Photo)   Fish Finds: Uncovering the Origins of the Catfish Family Tree by Anietra Hamper How evolutionary biologists are using nearly 50-million-year-old fossils for insight into the origins and evolution of catfish.   Staring […]

Try Shallow

I mostly fish the Ohio and Kentucky Rivers. Anglers should not overlook shallow water areas on sunny days in March and April. The sun will warm up the shallow water quicker and even a few degrees difference in water temp can make a huge difference. I have observed that the bait will generally move to […]

Catfish Basics #131—Learn from Your Competitors by Mackenzie DelRosso

Editor’s Note: As an avid tournament angler Mackenzie DelRosso has learned the importance of understanding catfish behavior at different times of the year. He applies that knowledge to the tournaments he fishes. He also understands that there are no better anglers to learn from than the ones he competes against. He offered this tip as […]

Catfish and Kids

by Jim Behnken, Western Program Director, C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation  At CAST for kids, EVERYONE wins! The C.A.S.T. for Kids foundation works with community volunteers to provide days of fishing for children with special needs. C.A.S.T. Is an acronym for “Catch A Special Thrill.” The catfish of all varieties provide “thrills” at a large majority […]

Catfish Kids: Fishing’s Future Reaches 1 Million Participants

Spreading angling education and promoting the growth of fishing and boating.   An important milestone in aquatic education took place July 28, 2018, in Indianapolis, Indiana, at Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park. Fishing’s Future, a national 501(c)(3) organization, celebrated and recognize its 1,000,000th participant attending an angling education Family Fish Camp. Fishing’s Future was founded […]

Nick Lyon’s Birthday Adventure

by Ron Presley The catfish birthday bash conspiracy. It all started for Nick as a casual conversation between him and his mom, Megan. They decided it would be fun to go bowling and go out to eat dinner on his birthday. When the date rolled around Megan woke Nick at 8:00 am with the pretense […]

Catfishing: A Sport with a Passion for Kids

by Ron Presley The key words are fun, simple, and educate.   It is a known characteristic of the sport of catfishing that family is often included on the shoreline and in the boat. Social media posts, tournament weigh-ins, and dockside conversations confirm the observations because they often include kids. Importantly, for the sport, it’s […]