Springtime Cats On The Prowl

The common channel catfish is far too often misunderstood and underrepresented as a game fish, despite having a significant growth in popularity over the recent decade. These bottom-dwelling, rod-bending, power-thrashing critters with whiskers do not ask to be respected- they demand it in their very nature. After all, what’s not to like about these sleek, silveresque beauties? They are often more than abundant, keen to indulge themselves in a variety of baits, pack one heck of a punch when it comes to fighting action, and can be treated as marvelous table fare, too. Contrary to popular beliefs, channel catfish opportunities are so much more than the scenario of bottom fishing with worms at night in the warmth of summer. From the day the ice begins to melt-off in the early spring, the party begins to get started for one of the best windows of the open water season to catch quantity along with quality.

From an anatomical perspective, the channel catfish is built for swimming long distance. Their long-pointed fins paired with what can be described as a “racing frame”, equips them to go back to where they will spend a majority of their time throughout the warmer months. Emerging from deep wintering holes and hangout zones, channel catfish start their migration engines and growing appetites as their metabolism surges to upkeep with their activity.

There are many fishing spots that have potential to yield, but what is it that makes one spot better than the rest? While the answer is not cut and dry, the elements of contour and structure can make the world of a difference as far as having a remarkable day on the water. Old river channel beds that connect to main lake basins act as a highway to be traveled. Just like a big family on the road to vacation, these catfish will stop along the way for a convenient bite to eat. Earlier in the spring for the first initial push of channel catfish on the move, locations along the catfish migration trail closer to the depths of adjacent deeper winter holding spots, is a recipe for action. This begins when the water temperature finds itself around the 40-degree mark. Fishing during overcast conditions in the daylight hours proves to be best during this transitional time of the season.   

A major point of consideration when targeting catfish during this time is to search for the warmest water. Even if it could be a few degrees, it makes it that much more comfortable to support them, along with early season plankton and baitfish. Factors to keep in mind are shallow depth, stained/muddy water, current/flow, and bottom composition are a few examples of what contributes to warmer water.

As the days march on and the masses have begun their upstream groove, finding points of structure becomes more important. Crayfish and other forms of natural bait become lively, and the channel cat strikes at the opportunity for easy pickins’. Rocky shorelines, stump fields, bridge pylons, points, pockets- you name it, and they will spend their time there taking advantage to find their next meal waiting to be picked off of the bottom or prey to be ambushed by surprised. Keep in mind that the bigger the spread of the structure and how elaborate it is, the more channel catfish will reside as they continue onward with their journey.

What additionally makes this time of year unique regarding targeting these fish is how sometimes fussy they can be, more often in the earlier weeks, by dropping the bait when they feel the weight of the sinker and force of the rod. A common Carolina/sliding sinker rig works well but yields more positive hookups when accompanied by a reel that possesses a bait clicker or line feeder mechanism. With two sets of drag, they have the ability for the fish to feel minimal secondary drag while pulling the line through the sinker. Once it’s time to send a hook point home, the action of reeling switches gears to the main drag system for the needed amount of torque and fighting power.

If reels with these capabilities are not available, a three-way rig can make up the difference, too, in order to coax a cat into hanging on and chewing the bait long enough to fall victim to your presentation. The idea behind this approach is so that when the channel catfish comes along and begins to munch and move with the bait, the force they are exerting on the line is reflected first in the rod and not immediately with the resistance of the weight. This will provide anglers in this situation with enough time for the catfish to take the bait unsuspectedly while granting a chance for a prime and proper hookup. When tying an efficient three-way rig, it is important to not be afraid to make the dropper line (the line between the weight and the three-way swivel) a little on the longer side. 18” or so should be more than sufficient. The leader line (the line connecting your hook of choice to the three-way swivel) does not need to be as long, so a happy-medium between 9” and 12” is recommended. To remember this on the water, think of 2/3 as a fraction. Having your leader line roughly about 2/3 of your dropper line length is a surefire way to success when they become sinker shy.

Generally speaking, if you have a rod and reel, chances are you are looking in good shape for using it as a component to set up a catfish rod parade. The tackle market for specialty equipment has seen an explosion over the recent years to accommodate the growing popularity of targeting catfish in general. Items such as composite rods with stainless steel guides, line that glows under black lights, and other articles are nice to use and have, but not by any means necessary for success. In general, a medium-heavy rod suits the task perfectly because it offers the backbone for fighting and the capability to handle casting bulky weights to keep the rig and bait affixed to the bottom.

Due to the nature of where channel catfish are targeted, line that is strong and abrasion resistant is crucial. A simple 12-20lb monofilament holds up well around timber, rocks, and other forms of structure content. Even though many of these fish are under ten pounds, the importance of in-between line sizes like these are to maintain strength needed while still being able to cast where needed. For longer casts or the desire for a no-stretch hookset, a braided line can help tremendously, but a monofilament leader is suggested in order to have a better chance at hanging on to a trophy channel cat around places that can be unforgiving and wear down line with ease.

Depending on the size of the fish being sought after, many baits used for channel catfish work, but some can perform better than others. Size and scent are factors in bait selection that need to be considered. An average sized channel cat is under 5lbs, and the do not require a hefty chunk of bait. In fact, they prefer bite sized morsels that take little energy to pick up, eat, and break down internally. Nightcrawlers, dip bait, shrimp, dough balls, and small pieces of cut bait prove themselves time and time again. Circle hooks or J hooks in sizes between 1/0 and 4/0 are ideal for this application.

In an effort to throw a curveball, additional scent, often in flavors such as blood, cheese, or fish oil, placed on the bait of choice benefits greatly to the factor of success. Channel catfish have over 100,000 taste buds across their entire body and providing a small dose of extra smell enables them to hone in on the bait better from further away. Especially when it comes to early season cats, a bite sized bait paired with the allure of scent is a hard choice for a whisker critter to deny.

Looking ahead with optimism, the reputation that they have carried for too long might someday be a forgotten element of poor attitudes of outdoor enthusiasts. Across the country, catfish are embraced and targeted with positive fervor. With opportunities aplenty and short list of required tools of the trade, it’s time that the channel catfish gets its’ highly deserved respect. Whether you find yourself on the hunt for a trophy, looking for an looking for an action-packed activity to share with young or new anglers, or looking to harvest for a freshly caught meal, springtime is excellent to fix a craving for conquering the misunderstood and underappreciated channel catfish.

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Delivery & Devour: The Art in Presentation of Detroit and St Clair River Walleye jigging.