Catfish

How do you know you've landed an absolute monster? When it's too big for you to hold! Corky Lemon stands center in this shot with a 35 pound blue cat while his potential state record blue behemoth is to the left, being hoisted up by Dick Hinrichsen. To the right is Terry Matheny with his 71 pound monster.

Corky Lemon and his fishing partner, Terry Matheny, had a magical day on the water on July 21st, as participants…»

Professional guide Brad Durick uses half of a 12- to 14-inch goldeneye to tempt monster Red River channel cats like this behemoth. Photo courtesy of Brad Durick.

Catching eater-size channel catfish is relatively easy. However, catching a giant channel cat takes some specialized tactics and techniques. Here they are.

GFcatfishingnight_072612hL

With the heat of summer upon us, it’s time to pursue catfish at night. Here are some tips on this type of angling, so you won’t just be in the dark!

Photo by Brad Durick

This is a great time of year to target Wisconsin catfish, whether you want a true trophy flathead or a bunch of eater-sized channels.

ILtriple_072512hL

Illinois catfish water can be divided into ponds, rivers and lakes. All are part of the Mississippi River drainage, but…»

The author with a massive Red River catfish caught near the community of Drayton, North Dakota, while filming a television show.  Photo by Jason Mitchell.

The Red River of the North is one of the few rivers in the continental United States that flows due…»

Guide Inky Davis hefts a Lake Marion largemouth taken in hot weather from heavy cover. Photo by Terry Madewell.

Scorching temperatures during the mid-summer melt-down don’t mean anglers have to abandon hope of catching fish in South Carolina. The…»

Gary Doak Jr. shows off his state-record channel catfish from Taft Lake. Caught on Sept. 11, 2005, it weighed 35 pounds, 15 ounces and was 39 1/4 inches long. More monsters are out there! Photo courtesy of www.wildlifedepartment.com.

While drifting across the turbid waters of Arcadia Lake one early August morning, I spent a blissful few hours catching…»

Photo by Ron Sinfelt

Bass and crappie have headed for their deepwater sanctuaries and seem to prefer feeding early and late in the day…»

Photo by Ron Sinfelt

The sport of fishing for catfish can certainly be high-tech if one desires it that way. However, in its simplest…»

Photo by Ron SInfelt

Nothing says summer like going after some catfish, whether they are blues, flatheads or channels. Here are some places to…»

01_homemadecatfishbaits_061812

Why let the bait manufacturers have all the fun concocting surefire stinkbaits for whiskerfish? Our resident catfish expert has five…»

Bingham flathead

A Memphis, Tenn., fisher decided he wanted a change of scenery a couple months ago, and that decision led to…»

GFriverflatheads_060712hL

Flathead catfish seldom thrive in creeks, ponds and small lakes. Many are caught in large natural lakes and impoundments, but…»

GFkscatfish_060112hL

KANSAS KITTENS Kansas’ catfish resource is much like that of Nebraska. There is an abundance of channels, blues and flatheads…»

Akey flathead

A Michigan man reeled in the new state record flathead last month, breaking a nearly 69-year-old record. Rodney Akey of…»

Photo by Ron Sinfelt

Whether you are looking for big catfish or lots of those dandy “eaters,” great Texas catfishing can be found all across the Lone Star state.

Photo by Ron Sinfelt

Flatheads and blues are some of our biggest, while channel cats are yummy! So for a battle or a meal, Mississippi catfish are hard to beat.

Photo by Ron Sinfelt

Between the Catchable Catfish Programs of the IDNR and local government bodies, as well as natural reproduction, the catfish is…»

GAFP_1206_2cv_lead

CORNHUSKER CATS We are going to list the top three lakes and rivers in Nebraska where we feel you’ll have…»

Photo by Ron Sinfelt

All I could do was hope the cat would change its attitude before I ran out of line. I was…»

Photo by Ron Sinfelt

Catfishing is good in Oklahoma all year long. But the period from mid-May to early July is what I consider…»

It should be obvious that Wynne catfisherman Jason Griffin is pleased with this hefty flathead. He caught it while night-fishing on the Mississippi River in southeast Arkansas. Photo by Keith Sutton.

The June night was perfect for catfishing — warm, overcast and calm. I was listening to a great horned owl…»

Photo by Ron Sinfelt

You can catch plenty of catfish in June in south Alabama. But, you have to first find those fish. The…»

GFcatfishing_052412hL

Catching, fighting or weighing big catfish calls for the best gear on the market. Catfish expert Keith Sutton sets the hook on the top baits, tackle, lines, reels, rods and accessories.