| Ready to go catfish angling? You do not need | | | | 4 Tackle box, you do not need a big one but you |
| much equipment and it will not cost you a fortune. | | | | do need something to keep and carry your tackle |
| I am going to give you a list of what I believe to | | | | in |
| be the bare minimum catfish gear needed to fish | | | | 5 Stringer, if you want to keep the catfish you |
| from the bank and how to set your catfish rig. | | | | catch you will need this. |
| Ok, we are going to start with what you have to | | | | 6 Lantern, much easier to rig your gear at night if |
| have. | | | | you have a lantern. Turn it off though when you |
| 1 Fishing rod 61/2 to 7 ft medium/heavy action | | | | do not need it. |
| 2 Fishing reel, type is your choice but if is the first | | | | 7 Glow sticks, you can find these for the end of |
| time I suggest a spin casting model | | | | your rod for about a dollar and they will work |
| 3 Fishing line, your reel should have 8-10lb test line | | | | several hours |
| 4 Assorted sinkers, should include egg and split | | | | Pack everything above in advance and you can |
| sinkers | | | | carry it from your vehicle to the bank in one trip. |
| 5 Assorted bait hoots, sizes 6-1/0 | | | | Now its time to set up your catfish rig. I am going |
| 6 Small package of corks or bobbers | | | | to assume that you have the reel on the rod and |
| 7 Leaders, at least a half dozen 12-24 inches in | | | | the line is through the eyes on the rod. Slip a 3-5 |
| length | | | | oz egg sinker onto the line. Tie a 12-18" lead onto |
| 8 Bait, zillions of choices here but suggest a tub of | | | | the line using the Palomar knot. Simply put the |
| chicken livers and a tub of night crawlers | | | | leader though instead of the hook as shown. Clip |
| 9 Small scissors, need something to cut your line. | | | | your hook onto the leader and bait the hook. |
| 10 Pliers, needle nose are the best. You will need | | | | Your ready. Cast it into the water and wait for |
| to take the hook out of the catfish | | | | the catfish to bite. If you have a glow stick and |
| That is it, bare minimum and you can not keep | | | | do not want to hold your rod all the time attach it |
| any of the catfish you catch. Ok, want a little bit | | | | to the tip and you will be able to see it when you |
| more than the bare minimum, here are some | | | | get a bite. Do not get discouraged if you do not |
| accessories I am fond of for bank fishing. | | | | catch something your first time out. Catfish are |
| 1 Chair, much softer and more comfortable than | | | | very good at stealing your bait so reel it in every |
| a rock or log | | | | 20-30 minutes and check your bait. If the blood is |
| 2 Rod holders, a good stick with a Y at the top | | | | out of the liver change it. Cast again into a slightly |
| will work. Mine is homemade from pipe. You have | | | | different location. GOOD LUCK! |
| to have someway to set your rod down if you | | | | Doug Burns is founder of Catfish Angling. A leading |
| are going to be there for any length of time. | | | | source for tips, tricks and information on catfish |
| 3. Cooler, I have to have my soda. Mine is very | | | | fishing. Doug has been an avid angler for 35 years |
| small only holds 6 cans and a couple of | | | | and a steady contributor. |
| sandwiches. | | | | Have a Catfishing Question? Click Here. |