Black Water Catfishing

Many people are familiar with the Hank Williams Jr. Song, A Country Boy Can Survive and the line which says "I can catch fish from dusk till dawn." Because catfish are more active at night there is a common misconception that they feed all night long. Here are some helpful tips for catching catfish the lazy, old-fashioned way. A good rule of thumb in survivalist fishing is that you should catch 3 fish per day, per person.

When to Fish
In truth, catfish bite the best according to the phase of the moon, and will actually take the bait all night long when a full moon rises just after full dark. If there is a moon in the sky, day or night, you are likely to nab a catfish in dark pools, especially near springs or around the base of cypress trees. The fish activity will drop off severely after the moon has set, so plan your nocturnal fishing for when the moon is bright and long in the sky.

Catfish Bait
Catfish will eat anything, or so they say. For the best results, though, it might be a good idea to use bait that has been tested for centuries. Earthworms are always a winner for fish, and catfish also have a liking for bloody flesh. Chicken livers are an excellent choice, and often provide more bait for your buck than purchasing ordinary worms. In a pinch, use a net to catch minnows, or cut a small bream up and use small fillets as catfish bait. Save your money when it comes to commercial catfish baits. They won't improve your odds of catching a decent cat, tend to be many times more expensive than worms or livers, and is often smells like something the dog drug up.

Where They Hide
Catfish are nocturnal bottom feeders. Large fish can be found in deep pools with an immediate sandbar or other shallow zone immediately upstream. The reason for this is because the fish will lurk at the edge of a drop and prey on smaller fish and other food that comes blundering in from shallower --and safer-- locations. In rivers such as the Suwanee or St. Marys, you can often pick out the best spots by observing the water surface. Smooth areas tend to indicate deep water and a light rolling motion on the surface of a dark pool indicates that a spring is beneath it. Older cypress trees are commonly found near springs in these rivers, and their hollow trunks provide a source of food and shelter to many creatures including catfish. These are not the only place to catch catfish, but using this type of location will increase the size  and number of your catch.

A Tip for Using Chicken Liver
Chicken livers are very fragile and often fragment due to the force of the cast, leaving an empty hook to fall into the water and free food distributed in the area. A few casts of this sort might help to draw more fish into the area, but too many and you are only wasting bait. If you cut small squares out of old stockings, you can create miniature bait bags that fit any size hook. Using this method for fishing with chicken livers means less bait lost during casts, and often the ability to reuse the same bait multiple times before it is lost or becomes "bleached out."

Don't Frighten the Fish
Catfish are nocturnal, and are aware of even minor changes in the lighting, such as shadows moving across the water. Do not build a fire in a direct line between yourself and your fishing zone. Build your fire as far away from the water as is realistically feasible, and avoid the temptation to build a large fire. If possible, dig a hole to build the fire in and provide a low wall of stone or sand around the pit. Hang your lantern from a low limb or set it directly on the ground and turn the flame down low.

Nibbles and Bites
One very important rule of cat fishing is not to "set" the hook at the first sign of a nibble. If the line bounces and stops, the most likely scenario is that a fish is testing the food. Wait on the line to jump in a similar fashion two or three times, and then you can try to set the hook if you wish. Backwoods fishermen will tell you that you are wasting a lot of effort for nothing, but sometimes it works. Wait until you have a fish on the line, and then play it in to the bank.

Lazy Fishing
Cast out, and place the end of the pole or rod in a fixed rod holder. Wrap a small piece of aluminum foil around the tip of the rod without wrapping the line up as well. Now you can go over to sit by the fire and watch your line from well-lit comfort. When a fish is on the line, you will know. If the line is idle for more than 10 minutes and the moon is still visible in the sky, check your bait and cast into a different location.

Shop for Keepers
Use some sort of live well for your catch. A 5 gallon bucket with holes drilled around the bottom can be anchored by the handle in shallow water and sealed with a bungee cord and an old pillow case. At the end of the night, choose the fish you want to keep and return the others to the water for another chance.