Catfish NOW – July 2024

Celebrating Women in Catfishing

By Keith “Catfish” Sutton, Editor

As the editor of our beloved catfishing magazine, I’m thrilled to bring you an issue that dives deep into the heart of our angling community. This month, we cast a spotlight on some incredible women who are making waves in the world of catfishing.

First, we shine a light on Nicole Weber, Mary Casmey, Shannon Hartwig and Madi Estad who for several years have worked with writer, guide and tournament director Brad Durick behind the scenes at the some of the country’s top catfish tournaments. Brad explains how their organizational prowess and dedication ensure that these events run smoothly, providing a platform for anglers to showcase their talents and share their passion.

Tournament Time: Women Make It Work Story and photos by Brad Durick

The weigh-in crew at the brand-new Moorhead, Minnesota tournament that is now known as the Marley Concrete Cats Tournament. It was at this event that the crew first truly came together as the team.   Tournament Time: Women Make It Work Story and photos by Brad Durick Great volunteers make for great catfish tournaments.   […]

Veterans Find New Hope Reeling in One Catfish at a Time By Anietra Hamper

U.S. Air Force veteran Beth Seemann caught several catfish during the 2024 catfish outing with Disabled Veterans Outdoors in Sandusky Bay in Ohio. (Courtesy of Beth Seeman) Veterans Find New Hope Reeling in One Catfish at a Time By Anietra Hamper Catfish outings reward disabled veterans with camaraderie, changed mindsets, and respect, while enjoying the […]

Women Who Catfish: Lindsey Brown Story and Photos by Terry Madewell

Spending her youth fishing with family prepared Lindsey Brown to enter the world of competitive catfishing.   Women Who Catfish: Lindsey Brown Story and Photos by Terry Madewell Lindsey Brown is fully committed to catfishing, not only for the competition of tournaments or fishing for fun, but for the camaraderie of the catfishing community.   Growing […]

3 Top Tactics for Summer Catfish by Keith “Catfish” Sutton

Bumping was developed by anglers on the Mississippi River like fishing guide James Patterson of Bartlett, Tenn. who shows a nice blue cat caught using the technique.   3 Top Tactics for Summer Catfish by Keith “Catfish” Sutton When summer catfishing gets tough, having some offbeat tactics in your bag of tricks can help assure […]

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 Basics #168—6 Tips for Hooking Summer Catfish with the Iowa DNR

  Catfish Basics #168 – 6 Tips for Hooking Summer Catfish with the Iowa DNR   Our friends at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources first posted this excellent article in July 2015. Since then, it’s been read by tens of thousands of anglers eager to catch a whiskerfish, and although almost a decade has […]

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 [...]

Catfishing Fun By Keith “Catfish” Sutton

Making memories: A mother and her three sons enjoy a fun day of catfishing on the lake. With some night crawlers for bait and a bit of teamwork, they’ve landed a nice catch, turning their fishing trip into an unforgettable adventure. (Courtesy of Rippin Lips Fishing)   Catfishing Fun By Keith “Catfish” Sutton How to […]

Can 84-Pound Maryland Record Be Topped?

Ed Jones, right, poses with his son, a friend and a charter guide while holding the Maryland state-record blue catfish in 2012. (Courtesy of Maryland DNR)   Can 84-Pound Maryland Record Be Topped? Source: Maryland DNR The Maryland blue catfish state record has stood for 12 years. Can it be broken?   The Maryland Department […]

Pennsylvania to Restore Ohio River Basin Blues By Keith “Catfish” Sutton

Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission fish culturist Andy Severns prepares to stock blue catfish fingerlings into the Ohio River near Point State Park in Pittsburgh. (Courtesy of Penn. Fish & Boat Comm.)   Pennsylvania to Restore Ohio River Basin Blues By Keith “Catfish” Sutton A fish considered highly invasive in the Chesapeake Bay now swims […]

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 […]

Page From the Past: A Protest

Page From the Past: A Protest In Volume 89 of the British periodical Punch, dated August 1, 1885, we find published this poetic objection to the proposed introduction of catfish into English waters. The author of the poem was not named, and despite his valiant attempt to prevent the spread of whiskerfish in European waters, […]