Dive Into September!
By Keith “Catfish” Sutton, Editor
Welcome to the September edition of CatfishNOW! As the waters begin to cool and a touch of fall is in the air, we’ve got a fantastic lineup of content that’s sure to inspire and educate every catfish enthusiast.
First up, we take you to the historic Mississippi River Monsters event at Vicksburg, where the largest payout in tournament catfishing history was awarded last month. In Catfishing’s Biggest Check, Ron Presley recounts the exciting moment when Jason Masingale, Daryl Masingale and David Coughlin took home the first-place prize of $100,000. This win is a testament to their skill, determination and a bit of good fortune—proving that big rewards come to those who pursue their passion with everything they’ve got.
Catfishing’s Biggest Check! By Ron Presley Photos courtesy of MRM
Catfishing’s Biggest Check! By Ron Presley Photos courtesy of MRM The MRM event at Vicksburg produced the largest payout in tournament catfishing history, including a first-place check for $100,000. Qualifying day for the Bill Dance Mississippi River Monsters (MRM) Mega Buc$ Pro Series Vicksburg event was Saturday, July 27, 2024. The catfish tournament was an […]
Finding Active Catfish Without Electronics By Brad Hierstetter
On this nautical chart, the author has identified several drop-offs from which he has consistently caught blue catfish within a stretch of Maryland’s Wicomico River. NOAA charts like this feature a lot of information about structure that is useful for pinpointing actively biting catfish. (Brad Hierstetter photo) Finding Active Catfish Without Electronics By Brad […]
A Guide to Hiring a Catfish Guide Story and photos by Brad Durick
How could anyone not love a smile like this? Seeing reactions like this let’s you know it’s a great guide trip. A Guide to Hiring a Catfish Guide Story and photos by Brad Durick Hiring a guide can be a great way to have a fun, educational and productive fishing trip without the headaches […]
Anchoring or Drift Fishing: Which is Best for You? Story and photos by Terry Madewell
Big catfish are caught via drifting or by anchor-fishing tactics. Anchoring or Drift Fishing: Which is Best for You? Story and photos by Terry Madewell Catfish are caught in excellent numbers using drifting or anchor-fishing tactics. For best results, pick the right tactic for the conditions being fished and your personal style. Catfishing techniques […]
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 […]
Channel Cats vs Blue Cats: Know the Difference by Capt. Richard Simms
Fisheries biologists say that color is sometimes the worst way to distinguish one fish species from another. For various reasons outlined below, there are times when even big channel catfish like this one have a color similar to a blue catfish. Photo by Brad Durick Channel Cats vs Blue Cats: Know the Difference by […]
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 […]
KDWP Commissioners Approve New Blue Catfish Regulation Source: Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks
KDWP Commissioners Approve New Blue Catfish Regulation Source: Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks New harvest limits aim to balance fisheries and enhance angler opportunities. Commissioners with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) approved a new blue catfish harvest regulation for Clinton, El Dorado, Elk City, Glen Elder, John Redmond and Melvern reservoirs […]
Why We Catfish: A Guest Editorial with Benji Brown Written by Terry Madewell
South Carolina cat man Benji Brown with a hefty blue cat caught in Lake Moultrie, one of the famed Santee Cooper lakes, on a rainy August day. (Photo by Terry Madewell) Why We Catfish: A Guest Editorial with Benji Brown Written by Terry Madewell For Benji Brown of Spartanburg South Carolina, catfishing is not merely […]
CFN How-to Video—Catching Skipjacks With a Sabiki Rig with Rodney Crimm
CFN How-to Video—Catching Skipjacks With a Sabiki Rig with Rodney Crimm For the best catfishing action, anglers need fresh bait, and nothing beats fresh skipjack herring. You’ll have more skipjacks to fish with if you use a sabiki rig that entices these baitfish with several small jig-like lures. In this video, B’n’M Poles pro staffer […]
Page From the Past: Mississippi River Fishing As told by Bluegrass Storyteller Chuck Larkin
Page From the Past: Mississippi River Fishing As told by Bluegrass Storyteller Chuck Larkin In the 1980s, Chuck Larkin hosted the WPBA-TV variety show “Tonight at Ferlinghetti’s,” a PBS music series taped in front of a live studio audience. He died in 2003 at the age of 71, but not before becoming one of the […]
