Three Tips for Catfishing in Illnois

Catfishing in Illinois is great most anytime of the year. With so many places in Illinois to find this magnificent fish it's easy to see why catfish fishing is so popular here.

There are many lakes, rivers and pond located throughout Illinois where the catfish are plentiful but two of the best-known hotspots include Powerton Lake and La Salle Lake. Both of these lakes are famous for their channel cats.

Most all anglers know that catfish are highly attracted to both live bait and stink bait but the type of bait you use is not the only thing that can make your fishing trip a successful one. There are many other things that you can do that will increase the bites you get and make your catfishing trip a more productive one.

The three tips for catfishing in Illinois listed below will prove to be very productive by helping you increase the amount of success you can enjoy.

Plan out Your Fishing Trip

By taking the time to plan out your catfish fishing trip you can make it a more productive one. Start by deciding where you want to go fishing and gather some information about that body of water. The type of catfish you want to seek out will determine where you go fishing.

Different types of catfish prefer different types of waters. For instance, channel cats prefer waters that have lots of structures and areas where they can seek cover.

Check the weather forecast to see if it's supposed to be cloudy, sunny, rainy, hot or cold. The weather does have a huge influence on how the catfish respond. It will also help to determine which type of baits would work the best at any given time. Decide ahead of time what bait you plan to use and figure out when and where you'll be picking this up if you plan on using live baits.

Get Prepared

It's important to take some time and get prepared before the trip instead of waiting till the last minute. After planning out your fishing trip, it's time to take a good look at your equipment. Check out your fishing rod and reel to make sure they're in good condition and ready for action.

Keep in mind that the catfish can put up a huge struggle and some of them can grow to some incredible sizes so, you need strong gear to reel them in. Medium to heavy weight gear is recommended to prevent breakage and to prevent you from losing your catch.