Trophy-class catfish such as this heavyweight channel cat are easier to target under cover of darkness. Photo by Keith Sutton.

An owl's hoot echoed through the night air when I felt the first gentle tap on my line.

"Here, son," I said, handing the pole to 12-year-old Josh. "I think a big catfish is fixing to take it."

Josh tensed with anticipation.

"Don't get in a hurry," I said. "Wait till he starts swimming away."

"I feel him yanking it," Josh said. "It feels like he's got it."

Suddenly, the fish surged away, putting a stiff bend in the rod. There was no doubt now the fish was on. It twisted and turned as Josh grimaced and cranked.

After a brief but exciting tussle, the fish came in, resigned to its fate and croaking softly. It was a nice channel cat, 5 pounds of muscle and mouth, and before we left the lake, it would be joined by nine more of its whiskered brethren. For Josh, this was a little like heaven.

I've been fishing for catfish since I was big enough to hold a cane pole. Now I have six sons who share my enjoyment of the sport. When possible, we make our catfishing forays at night. That's when cats bite best, and a night-fishing junket is far more memorable for the boys than a daytime outing.

If your idea of a fun summer outing is sitting around the motor home sipping sodas and watching TV, then nighttime catfishing is probably not for you. But if you don't mind a snake dropping in for a visit now and then; if you don't mind reeking of shad guts and limburger stink bait; if the hummingbird drone of a million mosquitoes fighting over the tender cuts of your body doesn't drive you bonkers; if you're not repulsed by the feel of catfish slime and bottom ooze between your digits; then, maybe, just maybe, a witching hour safari for cats is your ticket to happiness.

A catfishing adventure is the best of all ways to scratch your fishing itch. You're almost sure to catch a few fish for the frying pan, and there's always a good chance you'll hook a big channel cat that outweighs any bass or trout you ever caught. This is memorable fishing, any way you cut it.

PLAN FOR ACTION
Thorough pre-trip planning can spell the difference between a good night-fishing trip and a bad one.

First, plan where you'll fish. The best night-fishing waters for channel cats have some deep water, are fertile, support abundant baitfish and have a good mix of structure and cover with areas of open water adjacent structural elements. The right conditions may be found in lakes, ponds and rivers.

In small, shallow waters, such as some small ponds, summer catfishing is generally poor. Catfish have no cool, oxygen-rich depths to which they can retreat. If water conditions are really bad, they become semi-dormant. They may scatter to conserve oxygen. Fishing suffers.