Catfishing Rigs

When fishing for catfish the rig is terribly important as the presentation needs to be just right. One has to consider both the correct selection of rig and size of live bait. It is pointless to use a 5 inch poly ball on a 3 inch live bait as the fish will not be able to swim as freely as if you was to use a 2 inch poly ball as the aim is to make the fish think it can escape from the rig. The direct affect of this is to create distress signals that attracts catfish thinking they are going to get a easy food.

If one focuses on the hooks to size of fish ratio, 3 inch fish. And your size of hook should ideally be a 1.0 treble. With a single hook of 1.0 in the upper mouth part of the bait. Using a single hook without two trebles will allow the bait to move more freely but only use this method on small live baits.

When the size of the fish moves up to, 6 inches long then you will have to have a rig system that will allow you to cover the length of the fish, as this is very important as the catfish may take from the tail end of the bait and completely miss the single hook in the mouth.

Images courtesy of Brian Atkins ©

Therefore dropping the bait once the fish feels the tension of the rig with two trebles allowing you to control bigger baits and have the better percentage to hooking a catfish then a single hook.

Now to contradict this idea there is one rig where you have to use a single hook and this is for eels the only reason you have to use a single hook in the tail is because if you tried to use the three hook rig you will end up with a tangle every time, as the eels swim and twist themselves into a death ball, where the cannot move and drown then you are left with a dead bait.

Now hooking the eel is not to every ones taste but here are a few tips. A damp cloth long enough to cover the length of the eel on a flat surface grab the eel and place the hook in the top 2 inches of the tail once hooked, place or throw in some cases the live bait directly in the water to stay alive for as long as possible.

Images courtesy of Brian Atkins ©

The size of the live bait is the reason cat fisherman choose the size of the leads, as the smaller your live bait then the smaller the leads. In certain cases it has been found that the compensation of longer hook links, that you can still use bigger 4oz leads with a three inch fish. I also recommend using a bigger poly ball, though this will only work if you have a longer hook link of 3ft hook and longer. This may only be applied once you have fished for catfish from the boat as it gives the live bait a false sense of freedom. Allowing the fish to swim more freely.

In turn creating distress signals to attract the catfish. But do be aware that a lot of fish can and do miss their bait on this longer hook link method.

One good tip is always to use the round ball leads you can place a piece of tube inside them by making the hole bigger and this will stop the lead rubbing on the line as it slides up and down.

The line to be used for the weak link when tying off to the far bank or the buoy rig will be cheap and only has to be of 8lbs to 10lbs strain, this I have found is a line that can have tension applied to it without breaking so enabling the line to stand clear of the weed or floating debris and with the tension applied this will aid to hooking the fish once again when you have used this method you find in some certain circumstances that you will use heavier line for example if the distance is over 100mts or the flow of the water is in flood conditions.

The line to be used on the hook lengths must be able to handle fish of 100lbs + so your choice will be of critical importance, my choice has always been Kryston's ton up range the 85-lbs. This line has out surpassed my expectations as the the line is resembles a lightly waxed braid, though it exact make up are a highly guarded secret held at Kryston's HQ.

Using the buoy rig is time consuming to set up especially for the likes of me when I have to set up 10 rods out along the bank. But the important things to get right is the bottle or buoy rig the size of the buoy should be suffice to be seen at distance and be able to hold a starlight the cord should be 4mm thick or even stronger.

And always use enough weight to hold it down in a flow or even in the event that the wind may pick up you do not want to go back out when it is raining or middle of the night to set it all back up always check your knots that are holding the all important rig leave enough room for the bait to move round do not tie off to close as the bait may swim round the cord holding the buoy rig in place.

Once you have tried this method all becomes clear, one might make some mistakes though these will be your guide to getting it right the next time. If you are to venture abroad try some of these methods at home first, then by doing this practice becomes perfect. The more confidence under your arm and a few fish for the memory's.

Gary Sheridan