Catching Alabama Channel Catfish

The first thing to understand about catching channel catfish is that you have to have the right bait. Shad and crawfish are the popular forage to use when fishing cats. The smaller channel fish are abundant in the shallower waters.

They are found during the morning hour's right after sunset and after dark. Many anglers can catch enough catfish during the day to make them happy, but the best fishing is still at night. The catfish are night feeders more so than they are day feeders. Alabama channel catfish are no different. You just have to work the right areas.

The channel catfish size is about fifteen to twenty four inches, however the biggest ever caught in this area was forty pounds when caught at Black Warrior River back in 1967. You can look for the channel cats in swamps, streams, reservoirs and rivers al over Alabama. They lurk around the gavel and sandy bottoms of the water, but also around downed tress and weeds. They will be found in waters that are slower in current. The cats do not like to fight strong currents. There are many places to find channel catfish since they are everywhere. If you find an area where moss is growing take a look in this area for some channel cats because they will feed on the moss.

The bait is important. Besides shad and crawfish, you can use your own bait. The smellier the bait, the more the channel catfish will want it. Use some recipes for stinky bait, catfish bait or smelly bait to find some good ideas for making your own bait. The more the bait smells the better. The recipes are easy to make and you will find that catching the channel cats is easier. All you need is a hook and some stinky bait.

Check the water conditions you will be fishing. The catfish like temperatures from sixty five to ninety degrees. The water clarity should be murky or slightly strained. The catfish are bottom feeders and the clarity of the water allows them more coverage when looking for their prey. You may find channels in clear waters, but it is very rare. The water must be dark for the channels to be out feeding. Once you have the right bait, water conditions and temperature conditions, you will be all set to catch a fish or two. It is common to catch your daily limit every time you go out.

There are many different ways or techniques to fish the channel catfish, but the best way is to cast and allow the bait to drop slowly to about six inches from the bottom. Then you can slowly reel it in until it is time to cast again. Some anglers will cast and let it sit for a while, but in all honesty. You need to keep some action on the end of the line to make sure the cats see it. It will work best if you drop and raise a few times until you catch something.