The Phenomenal Rise of Tournament Catfishing
By Keith “Catfish” Sutton, Editor
In the realm of fishing, there’s a trend making waves that goes beyond the serene solitude of a lazy afternoon by the riverbank. Tournament catfishing has emerged as a rapidly growing sport, captivating anglers with its unique blend of competition, camaraderie and the pursuit of the elusive whiskered giants lurking beneath the water’s surface.
In many respects, the sport of catfishing, once associated with laid-back weekend outings, has transformed into a dynamic and exhilarating competition, drawing participants from all walks of life. This shift is reflected in the surge of catfishing tournaments across the country, showcasing the prowess of anglers and the cultural significance of this pursuit.
One of the driving forces behind the growth of tournament catfishing is the sheer diversity of the species. Catfish, with their powerful strikes and unpredictable behavior, present a challenge that has anglers hooked. From mighty flatheads to spirited blues and channel cats, each species offers a unique test of skill, strategy and patience. This variety has contributed to the inclusive nature of catfishing tournaments, where novices and seasoned anglers alike can find their place in the competition.
Becoming a Catfish Tournament Fisherman by Terry Madewell
The Miller catfishing Tournament Team with a couple of big blues from Badin Lake in North Carolina. Becoming a Catfish Tournament Fisherman by Terry Madewell Fishermen who want to test their catfishing skills can begin fishing tournaments, but a plan of action before beginning can help them reach their goals. So, you want […]
Tournament Fishing Advice from a Director with Brad Durick
Troy Weber and Dustin Casmey are longtime tournament partners who have won tournaments and Anglers of the Year together. Great partners make for great tournament results. Tournament Fishing Advice from a Director with Brad Durick These tips from seasoned catfish tournament director Brad Durick can help you achieve success when you start fishing competitively. […]
Tapping Your Competitive Spirit By Brent Frazee
Big fields of boats aren’t uncommon at some catfish tournaments run by Twisted Cat Outdoors. Tapping Your Competitive Spirit By Brent Frazee Experts offer advice on how to get started in the catfish game. So, you’re trying to get up enough nerve to enter a catfish tournament, but you’re not sure you […]
CAT-aclysm in Memphis: A Tournament to Remember By Keith “Catfish” Sutton
Cary Winchester (right) and partner Harold Dodd proudly display the 108-pound blue cat Winchester caught to establish a new record for the largest catfish ever weighed in a tournament. CAT-aclysm in Memphis: A Tournament to Remember By Keith “Catfish” Sutton “Move over Elvis, a couple of new kings are in town!” That was […]
3 Patterns for Spring Catfish by Keith “Catfish” Sutton
Few baits work better than frogs when targeting trophy channel cats. Go out on rainy spring nights, catch some by hand and store in a wet sock or cooler. Leopard, or grass, frogs are among those most often used by catfish anglers. 3 Patterns for Spring Catfish by Keith “Catfish” Sutton Knowing what different […]
Go to Sleep and Save Power by Brad Wiegmann
Garmin’s home screen allows an angler to put the unit in sleep mode to conserve power. Go to Sleep and Save Power by Brad Wiegmann Forward-facing modules use less power than a large screen sonar/GPS unit One of the most underutilized modes on sonar units is the sleep/standby mode. In today’s world of […]
Catfish Basics #164—with Jim Lagacy
Taking proper care of your rods, reels, terminal tackle and fishing accessories can help assure you have an enjoyable time on the water whenever you can go fishing. Catfish Basics #164—with Jim Lagacy The holidays are over, and most of the hunting seasons have passed. So, what can you do to keep occupied and […]
Catfish Gear #74
Driftmaster rod holders have a patented locking stem design that will prevent the rod from turning left or right when a fish hits. Locking Stem System for Driftmaster Rod Holders By Keith “Catfish” Sutton You won’t have to worry about a big catfish repositioning your rod when it hits if you’re using Driftmaster’s patented […]
Rebuilding a Legendary Flathead Lake By Keith “Catfish” Sutton
Haylee and Logan Applegate caught 50-pound catfish from Lake Conway in Arkansas within days of one another. Rebuilding a Legendary Flathead Lake By Keith “Catfish” Sutton Arkansas’ Lake Conway is about to undergo an extensive five-year renovation For decades now, I’ve told anyone who would listen that Arkansas’ Lake Conway is one of […]
Two for the Books
Angela Dixon of Chidester, Arkansas with her 3-pound, 9-ounce record brown bullhead from Lower White Oak Lake. Two for the Books Sources: Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, International Game Fish Association A pair of whopper catfish have established new record-book benchmarks. Incoming news reports this month tell of two impressive catfish that will [...]
“When the Bull-Heads Bite.” By Francis H. Buzzacott
“When the Bull-Heads Bite.” By Francis H. Buzzacott Francis Buzzacott, aka “The Colonel,” was a well-known explorer, outdoorsman and author in the early 20th century. His many accomplishments included serving as a member of the British South African Expedition, 1878-9; the Antarctic Expedition, 1879-81; Voyage to the Arctic, 1881-4; the Spanish-American War Campaign, 1898; and [...]
CFN How-to Video with Michael Haney
Michael Haney with the B’n’M Poles’ Pro Staff shares some tips that can help you properly preserve skipjacks for bait.
