The Space Between Bites
There’s a moment every catfish angler knows well—the quiet stretch between bites.
The rods are set. The lines are out. The bait has been carefully chosen and placed with confidence. And then… nothing. Just the gentle lap of water against the bank or boat, the distant call of an owl or maybe the soft hum of conversation if you’re lucky enough to be sharing the time with someone else.
In today’s world, we don’t experience enough moments like that.
We live in a constant current of motion and noise. Notifications buzz. Headlines scroll. Schedules tighten. Even our downtime is often filled with more input than rest. But when you’re sitting on a riverbank or anchored over a deep hole waiting on a catfish to make up its mind, all of that fades away.
What’s left is something rare—space.
It’s in that space where fishing becomes more than just fishing.
Tennessee River Hotspots: Wheeler and Wilson Built for Trophy Catfish by Capt. Richard Simms
Barbara Simms, the author’s wife, is understandably proud of her personal best blue catfish (68 lbs.) caught on Wheeler Lake while fishing with Capt. Mike Mitchell. (Photo by Capt. Richard Simms) Tennessee River Hotspots: Wheeler and Wilson Built for Trophy Catfish by Capt. Richard Simms It had honestly been sort of a slow day. […]
Alabama River Trifecta By Anietra Hamper
Joey Pounders and his son Leaf with a blue catfish caught on the Alabama River. (Joey Pounders photo) Alabama River Trifecta By Anietra Hamper Fishing the Alabama River offers something rare in today’s heavily pressured angling world: the chance to catch all three major catfish species in a river system that still feels largely […]
Catfishing The Yazoo River By Rodney Crimm
A highly effective tactic for catching catfish along the Yazoo River is positioning yourself upstream from wood structure like the two fishermen in this photo. Catfishing The Yazoo River Story and photos by Rodney Crimm The Yazoo River is a tributary of the Mississippi River that begins just north of Greenwood, Mississippi where the […]
Catfish Basics: Bank Fishing Smarter, Not Harder By Keith “Catfish” Sutton
Success from the bank isn’t about waiting longer. It’s about fishing smarter. Cover water, watch your lines, and don’t be afraid to move. Catfish Basics: Bank Fishing Smarter, Not Harder By Keith “Catfish” Sutton Bank fishing has a way of humbling you. You don’t have a trolling motor to reposition at will or electronics […]
Catfish Kids: Stocked Ponds, Big Smiles By Keith “Catfish” Sutton
A freshly stocked catfish and a young angler—hard to beat that combination when it comes to making lifelong fishermen. Catfish Kids: Stocked Ponds, Big Smiles By Keith “Catfish” Sutton If you want an easy way to get a kid hooked on fishing, keep an eye out for those stocking trucks. Last month, catfish stockings ramped […]
Catfish Gear: Boss Kat Tube Rigs By Keith “Catfish” Sutton
Catfish Gear: Boss Kat Tube Rigs By Keith “Catfish” Sutton When it comes to catching catfish on dip and punch baits, few presentations are as simple—or as effective—as a tube rig. Boss Kat has refined this time-tested approach with a lineup of ready-to-fish rigs built around their dependable Shure Stick tubes. The concept is straightforward: [...]
Catfish Conservation: Key Funding Source for Catfish Waters Faces Renewal Story and photo by Keith “Catfish” Sutton
Programs like the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund help keep access points like this open, safe and ready for anglers across the country. Catfish Conservation: Key Funding Source for Catfish Waters Faces Renewal Story and photo by Keith “Catfish” Sutton If you’ve ever launched a boat at a well-built ramp, fished from […]
River Rumors: Big Changes Brewing in Pennsylvania By Keith “Catfish” Sutton
Big river catfish like this don’t come easy, and in western Pennsylvania, new regulations could help keep more of them swimming for years to come. River Rumors: Big Changes Brewing in Pennsylvania By Keith “Catfish” Sutton If you fish the rivers around Pittsburgh—or know somebody who does—you might want to pay attention to what’s […]
Guide of the Month: Trent Thomasson – Wylie Guide Charters by Capt. Richard Simms
Capt. Trent Thomasson says he often targets eater-sized cats if clients prefer, but Lake Wylie also produces good numbers of trophy-sized cats for folks who want to “size up.” (Photo courtesy Capt. Trent Thomasson) Guide of the Month: Trent Thomasson – Wylie Guide Charters by Capt. Richard Simms Capt. Trent Thomasson with Wylie […]
CFN How-to Video with Michael Haney—Fishing Riprap for Spring Cats
In May and June, catfish often gather on long stretches of riprap (rocks covering banks to aid erosion control) to gorge on shad, crawfish and other forage animals. B’n’M Poles pro staff member Michael Haney explains how to catch these “catfish on the rocks.”
