How To Catch Catfish In A Pond: Tips And Ways To Have A Successful Catch
Fishing is sure a fun and at the same time, a very challenging activity. And if you happen to live in an area where there is an abundant catfish in the pond, you will enjoy fishing for catfish. And although catfish is not considered as a trophy fish, you still need to exert effort and to rely on your fishing techniques to get a good catch. Unlike other fishes, you need to handle the catfish with safety precautions. How to catch a catfish in a pond? We guide you through the process to get a great catch.
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What will you need?
Before you start, here are the things that you need:
BAIT/LURES
Soft baits: chicken liver. Via Catsandcarp.com
You need to find one that has a strong smell. The reason behind this is that catfish is easily lured by this type of bait. For instance, you can use crawfish, chicken liver, chad and night crawlers.
FISHING REEL
Shimano Sonora Spinning Reel. Via: Amazon.com
You need to at least estimate the size of the fish since this the rise of the reel will depend on it.
FISHING ROD
Entsport 2-Piece 7-Feet Casting Rod Graphite Portable Baitcasting Fishing Rod Medium Heavy Baitcast Rod Baitcaster with an Alternative Top Piece. Via: Amazon.com
Going for a shorter rod that is less than 8 inches is the most suitable choice. Find the suite rod for you catfish fishing trip.
COOLER WITH ICE
Via: Diynetwork.com
HAND GLOVES
Rapala Marine Fisherman Glove. Via: Amazon.com
To avoid incurring injuries, you might as well have the right protection by wearing fishing gloves.
ICE PICK
Via: Webstaurantstore.com
Step-by-Step Instructions How To Catch a Catfish
To have a successful catch, simply follow the step by step instructions:
Step 1: Find The Right Location
In fishing, picking the best location is important to successfully catch the catfish. This fish tends to go into the deep areas of the pond so find a dip or hole in the underwater. If there are rocks, pile or dam, there is a bigger chance that the fishes are there. You can also find catfish if there is vegetation or algae in the pond.
River Right Location To Catch Catfish
Step 2: Move discreetly
Catfish are quite sensitive, and they can easily hear the noise outside. You need to be quiet, so you need to choose the right position. Walk and move slowly. When you are preparing your bait and rod, you have to be discreet. Catfish that hears the motion will tend to go away.
Step 3: Choose The Right Time
When fishing catfish, it is best that you fish at night. They are more likely to be easily found at night. If you can do it at night, then it is best that you fish at nighttime. Just bring with you a flashlight or any light source so you can easily find your way to the pond.
Step 4: Go For The Tight Line Technique
With this particular technique, it needs to attach a small weight to the line. This enables you to have the line to go really deep into the pond as this is where the catfish stays. Using the tight line technique makes it easy for you to feel that pull off the catfish in your line.
Step 5: Be Prepared For The Resistance
Catfishes are known to be really strong. Once a catfish takes the bait, the fish may resist and you need to be prepared for the resistance. Pull your rod really hard when you spin the reel.
To see the real life catfish catching action, see this video.
Ways to Handle Catfish Safely
Once you have successfully caught catfish, the next step is to handle the fish in the safest way possible. They can be quite sensitive so here are some ways for you to handle them safely:
Step 1: Wear gloves
Wear gloves when you handle the catfish as you pull the fish out of the water. Without wearing gloves, you might get cut especially since catfish tends to squirm when they are frightened. To avoid incurring injuries, you might as well have the right protection.
Step 2: Hold The Fish
Hold the fish when you remove it from the line. Your safety will also depend on in the way how you hold a catfish. Remove the catfish from the line. Wrap your hands around the catfish behind its dorsal fin. Make sure that your fingers behind the fins and gills. To remove the hook with ease, you can also use pliers.
Cat Fish Hooked
Step 3: Stun The Catfish
Kill the catfish using either spiking or stunning. You can choose any of the two. If you opt for stunning, you have to give its head a huge blow with the aid of a blunt instrument. Aim for its eyes. The catfish may not die in the first blow. Be ready for the second blow. If you go for another method the spiking, you need either a screwdriver or ice pick. Use the ice pick to spike the catfish.
Step 4: Keep The Catfish Fresh
Put the fish on ice. When the catfish is already dead, you need to put the fish right away on ice to protect its freshness. When fishing in the pond, always take with you a cooler that has ice in it. This can preserve the quality and the flavour of the fish.
Step 5: Prepare The Catfish Dish
Clean the fish before you cook it. Soak the fish overnight to ensure that it is clean prior to cooking the fish. When you soak the fish, add some vinegar and salt. There should be enough water and put the pot in your fridge overnight. The next morning, rinse the catfish using cool water before you start cooking it.
Prepare The Catfish Dish
Tips From The Experts
Man with big catfish on hand.
Are you planning to head out to the pond to fish for catfish? Here are some of the best tips to help you through your fishing.
1. Find The Best Bait
Baits will always be one of the things you need to catch any fish. When it comes to choosing the best bait, you need to find one that has a strong smell. The reason behind this is that catfish is easily lured by this type of bait. So make sure that you choose that bait that has a strong odor. For instance, you can use crawfish, chicken liver, chad and night crawlers.
2 .Choose the Reel and the Appropriate Rod Length
Your bait will only be just as effective you can have the right rod length and reel. When selecting for a reel, you need to consider the size of the fish. Estimate the rough size of the catfish or you can also ask the fishermen for some information. You need to at least estimate the size of the fish since this the rise of the reel will depend on it.
If the catfish in the area is relatively smaller, you should be using a lighter duty reel. For bigger catfish, you need a much more heavy duty reel. What if the fishes in your area come in different sizes? To keep it safe, it is better to just opt for a heavy duty reel.
Next is you identify the appropriate the length of the rod. In fishing catfish in a pond, there is really no need for a long rod. This is only suitable for catfish in streams. Going for a shorter rod that is less than 8 inches is the most suitable choice.
In addition to these gears, you also need a lightweight slip singer to sink the fishing line. Go for a lightweight sinker so the catfish can get the bait. You also need to be sure that the hooks come with bait holders so the baits get easily hooked into the fishing rod.
Final Thought
Catfish is a challenging activity for those who are into fishing. This fish is also perfect for making different dishes. To increase your chance of getting a good catch, just follow these tips and step by step instructions.
By having these things in mind, you know exactly how to do it and to protect yourself while you are catching catfish.
Do you have any recent plans to go to the pond to catch a catfish? Share with us your experience, and we are glad to hear from you!
