FRESHWATER CATFISHIN’

CPT Clifton J. Malone

Information Brief

UNCLASSIFIED

Agenda

• Introduction• Required Fishin’ License• Gear• Bait• Types (Know Your Enemy)• Feeding Habits• Locations (General / Local)• Conclusion• Questions

Why Catfish?• Catfishing can be a fun and relaxing way to spend your day or evening

and won’t destroy your wallet

• Catfish can grow to monstrous sizes and they can be an exciting battle foe at the end of a fishing line

• Catfish are delicious fish that are easy to clean and cook

• Knowing how to catch catfish can prove valuable in case of the Zombie Apocalypse or worldwide famine

Fishing License

• Members of the armed forces are considered residents

-Annual Freshwater fish $23.00

-Annual Freshwater and saltwater $40.00

-Five day Freshwater $14.00

-Five day Freshwater and saltwater $24.00

-Fish in designated stocked trout waters $23.00

*Fishing licenses can be purchased at many gas stations

Close to bodies of water, bait shops, sportsman’s shops and

Wal-Mart

• ROD

-Long enough to clearly see the “tap” of a curious catfish (at least seven feet)

-Graphite is best so it won’t break in half at the wrong time• REEL

-Spincasting Reel-Like that old Snoopy Pole you used as a kid with the push button. Not recommended if you plan on fishing for more than 1-2 pounders. Good for brim or small bass

-Spinning Reel- Can be used for catching smaller and bigger catfish alike. This is the recommended choice. (Takes a short practice period)

*Rod and Reel combinations are normally sold at any bait or sportsman shop. They can also be found at your local Wal-Mart or even pawn shops.

Fishing Gear

SPINCAST

SPINNING

*A good rod & Reel combination can cost from $30-200 dollars and go up to over $1,000

• Rig

Fishing Gear

85lb Metal Line Leader

#2 Razor Hooks

3 oz Bottom Weight

Bait

*My favorite bait, fresh cut Shad or Skipjack in TN

Types (Know Your Enemy)• Blue Catfish

-Grow in excess of 150lbs

-Live in deeper areas of large rivers that have moderate to strong current; enjoy cover

but roam open water to feed

• Flathead Catfish

-Grow in excess of over 60lbs

-Primarily nocturnal feeders

-Live in areas with brush and cover in small streams up to large rivers

• Channel Catfish

-Grow in excess of 50lbs

-Most common catfish

-Can be found in several bodies of water but larger ones can be found in reservoirs and bigger rivers

Best Times to Fish (Spring)

0600-0900 Early morning

-SLOW, water is cold and doesn’t heat up because sun rays bounce off of water

0900-1200 Mid-morning to afternoon

-OKAY, Fish bite off and on; water starts heating up

1200-1800 Afternoon to evening

-GREAT, Fish are biting, they are hungry and the water is nice and warm

Best Times to Fish (Summer)

0430-0900 Early morning

-GREAT, water is not too hot so fish are happy and hungry

0900-1700 Mid-morning to afternoon

-SLOW, Water is too hot and fish move to deeper holes to cool off

1700-1930 Afternoon to evening

-EXCELLENT, Water cools off and fish rise to feed

Locations (General)•Catfish can be found in lakes, rivers, streams and reservoirs across the United States

•Blue and Flathead catfish like deep holes with cover on the outside edges of the rivers bends. Look for large logjams, cast under the edges and let your bait drift in and then hang on •In large lakes and reservoirs look for the big blue cats and flatheads in areas with lots of cover, submerged brush piles, or stumps

•The blues can sometimes also be found a little deeper along drop-offs and ledges like old locks on the river

Lock “C” in Clarksville, TN, One of the largest Blue in TN caught here at 114lbs

A Few Locations (Local)Hopewell Marina, Hopewell, VA

Great Shiplock Park, Richmond, VA

Weston Plantation, Hopewell, VA

Conclusion

•Fishing License License•Gear•Bait•Types•Feeding Habits•Locations (General / Local)

Questions

Blue Catfish

ChannelCatfish

FlatheadCatfish