Tips for Catfish Fishing in Texas

Catfish fishing in Texas is some of the best you will find. The waters in this state make the prefect habitat for this species so they have the opportunity to grow and thrive.

You will find a variety of catfish in Texas that grow to some rather impressive sizes. The catfish can be found in lakes, rivers and ponds located throughout the Lonestar state so you can enjoy some great catfish fishing no matter where you are.

Here is a list of a few of the lakes and reservoirs located throughout Texas where the catfish are plentiful.

Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir
Cedar Creek Reservoir
Belton Lake
Lake Palestine
Cooper Lake
Lake Travis
Lake Buchanan
Lake Conroe

These are only a few of the places where you can enjoy great catfish fishing. There are many more so whether you're visiting the Lonestar state for vacation or just moved to the area, you will be able to find this species most anywhere.

Basic Catfish Fishing Tips

If you are new to fishing for the mighty catfish it helps to know a little about the species before you set out on your trip. For instance, did you know that catfish is a bottom feeder? They lurk near or on the bottom of the water and wait for a tasty meal to come by. They will also eat just about anything that will fit into their mouths so you don't have to be too picky about what you use for bait. However, there are some things that will attract the catfish much faster such as the stink baits. The catfish has an extraordinary sense of smell and are attracted to anything that puts off an odor.

Other baits that will yield some great results include minnows, worms, shad and shrimp. If you want to catch the largest catfish in the area, then use the biggest bait. A large size catfish will not usually waste their time on a small puny piece of bait. This will attract the smaller fish in the area. The monster cats look for a big inviting meal and will go after it much faster. However, if you don't have a clue what size cats are in the area then experiment with different sizes. If the bait is too large or too small they will completely ignore it.

When fishing for catfish it's suggested you take along a few extras to make your fishing trip more enjoyable. It's always a good idea to have a thick pair of gloves and a pair of pliers available to help you remove the hook from the mouth. Some catfish species can cause a great amount of pain if you are stuck by its fin.

Take extra tackle with you. Sometimes you will lose hooks and your line will break. It would be a shame to leave early because you don't have enough tackle with you. Make sure the equipment you're using is designed for catfish fishing and the struggle they can put up. Otherwise, you may be going home with a broken rod instead of catfish.