Big catfish may be caught this month by wading or from shore or boat. The secret is to fish structure from surface to bottom in a slow, methodical manner. Photo by Jared Meighen

July and catfishing go together like peas and carrots. For many anglers, what makes the sport so appealing is how much fun it is to catch these whiskered fish.

There is at least one species of catfish dwelling in a lake or river within a short drive of most Americans, and in most cases, it's a resource that's relatively untapped.

Here's a look at 10 proven catfishing tactics, presentations and approaches that will help you hook more fish. If you fish out of a boat, from a pier or off the bank, here's how to enhance your arsenal of catfishing tactics:

WADE FOR 'EM
The heavy, torturous heat of summer seems to dehydrate our bodies and slow our activities to a bare minimum. As expected, the heat has much the same affect on the rivers we fish, causing water levels to drop and slowing the current to a lull. For many anglers, this seems to be an inopportune time to pursue cats. But in reality, the timing couldn't be better.

On many small to mid-sized rivers, boat navigation can be hazardous when the water is low. But for those who don't mind getting a little wet, there are still plenty of fishing opportunities. Of course, I'm talking about wading.

Before wading any river, determine what sections are safe enough to navigate by foot. Wading may be not feasible, even dangerous, on a large and deep body of water.

Wading for catfish doesn't have to be complex. A pair of old tennis shoes, a fishing pole and the right terminal tackle is all it takes. Start by selecting a stretch of river that holds fish, usually an area with holes, timber piles and deep bends. Move slowly downstream, casting to any potential holding area. It won't take long for a fish to hit if one is present. In some areas, you may find it necessary to exit the river or creek and walk along the shore to bypass deep holes and tangled snags.

Use a jar or Zip-Loc bag to store your bait. If necessary, tie it to your belt. Grasshoppers, cut bait, worms and chicken livers are all great wading baits. They're easy to come by and easy to fish. Toss in a few ice cubes to keep your cut bait fresh. This approach works best on smaller rivers and creeks when fishing for channel catfish, although you'll occasionally get a surprise from a hungry flathead.

It is usually not necessary to use waders. Just jump right in and cool off. Put a fistful of extra hooks and sinkers in a plastic bag and store them in a pocket. Keep it as simple as possible.

USE A FLOAT
Floats or bobbers are underutilized in the world of catfishing. This is unfortunate, as these handy little tools have a broad array of applications.

When targeting rivers or creeks, floats can be used to drift baits downstream. Simply attach a float to the line, tie on a hook and an adequate sinker, and you're in business. Set the float so it will suspend the bait a few inches off the bottom. You can use this apparatus to cover long stretches of river quickly; allowing the bait to drift through eddies, around woody structure and through riffles. Some anglers make drifts up to 100 yards long. Long rods are useful in guiding the bait where you want it to go.