Among freshwater fish, one of the most valuable, without a doubt, is catfish. This breed is distinguished by large dimensions: the weight of other individuals can reach 300 kg, and the length is 5 meters! To catch such a monster, no doubt, not a single professional fisherman, let alone an amateur, would refuse. However, one should prepare well for such an event, understand the habits of somih, know what bait to stock, what gear.
Habitat and fishing conditions
Even knowing for sure that the catfish lives in this reservoir, you still need to be able to figure out exactly where its rookery can be. This is very important, especially for beginners.
How to catch catfish from the shore? This is a whole art, one should constantly master its techniques. So, the location of this representative of aquatic fauna can be influenced by the time of year, time of day, and even weather:
- For example, in early spring, when water bodies warm above +8 degrees, the fish wakes up and begins to appear on the surface, swimming in search of food. At this moment, it is important to determine the warmest places of the reservoir: for sure, the still languid giant is there. Usually these include shallows, swampy islets, shallow estuaries. They can be used by those who want to learn how to catch catfish from the shore. And as bait, pieces of meat or chicken liver, bird offal are suitable. In addition, catfish prefers prey “with a sweetheart”, here it tastes similar to alligator ones. When the water in the river, lake warms up quite well, the fish becomes highly active. She tries to find as much prey as possible in order to offset hungry winter abstinence. And here the main principle of how to catch catfish from the shore is to love shallows and transitions from shallows to deep places. Various flooded lawns, snags and coastal bushes are suitable. The bait should be installed there, and bunches of worms or mice, other small animals are most suitable for its role.
- In summer, catfish is mostly active in the cool time of the day: in the late evenings, at night and in the early morning. Being in full force, he is able, by the way, to drag a person or a large pet to the bottom. Fish spawning occurs during this period. And most of all, he reacts to the bait, which moves, makes sounds and smells. This should be taken into account when planning how to catch catfish from the shore or boat, especially since you can catch it in any part of the reservoir. But he still has shelters for him, whirlpools, pits, trees that have fallen into the water, previously sunken boats, etc. It is especially easy to catch him in the pre-storm: in the rainy season and especially before a strong weather, the fish tries to eat enough, and then lie low. He bites well on live bait, small fish, meat, all the same liver. But she also does not disdain bundles of worms! However, according to experts, what is better to catch catfish, it is on the liver. Slightly spoiled, it is for the freshwater giant the most desired delicacy.
- With the onset of autumn, cooling and dank weather, the fish changes its routine. At the beginning of this time of the year he still swims quite actively, trying to accumulate fat for hibernation. And here, given how to catch catfish, you need to observe a smaller fish. Carps, breams serve him as food: where there are a lot of them, catfish also lives nearby. Over long distances, he no longer swims, keeps closer to the prey. And the colder, the less mobile catfish become: they stay near the pits where they are going to winter. And here they need to be lured by a bait that does not stir: fish or meat fillets, worms. Although, when a catfish wants peace, it can be disturbed by artificial baits, and it will be provoked. And then catch him, “warm”, on the donkey!
These are the subtleties of catching catfish.