Catching catfish in the spring: all about fishing methods, gear and bait

When does catfish spawn and its first bites begin?

From year to year, this time of first activity may change, but the water temperature at which the bite begins remains unchanged.
At 9-11 degrees, the catfish begins to come to its senses, leaving the holes in search of food. Question: how can you determine that the water has already warmed up enough and has reached level 11? The answer is simple - the air temperature will be 14-15 degrees, simply put, in the spring the water is 3-4 degrees cooler than the environment. Due to the beginning of his activity, he does not go far from his home - the pit, which was his home throughout the winter. In mid-April you should look for it here.

At the beginning of May, the water warms up to 13-15 degrees; its metabolism accelerates, so its activity increases. Being in constant search for food, he is making up for lost time over the past few months, and is also gradually preparing for spawning.

There is less and less of it in the pits, and it is increasingly found in shallow water, where there is a lot of food and where the water warms up faster. Larger individuals stay on reaches and shell rocks, in places with slow currents. As soon as the water heats up to 16-19 degrees. (mid-May) catfish begin to spawn, and the bite at this time dies down.

The duration of spawning is 1-2 weeks, unless there are sudden climate changes (cold snaps). From the beginning of June the feeding begins, at this moment the fish replenishes all its strength and begins to actively bite.

Habits of catfish in spring

The behavior of fish has seasonal differences. Her preferences are different in the spring months.

1. April:

• Not very active at night;
• Lives near holes in which it hibernated and in deep places;
• It is hungry, so it will covet all baits, especially at the beginning of activity.

1. First half of May:

• Comes out of holes and is visible in shallow waters;
• Pre-spawning zhor is characteristic;
• It hunts mainly at night, but is also active during the day.

1. Second half of May:

• goes to spawn, but does not bite;
• After spawning it is passive.

Article on topic: Hooks for catfish

What bait to use in spring

Catfish is a predatory fish, so live food predominates in its diet, especially at times when it is necessary to replenish energy reserves. The best ones at this time will be:

• Live bait, any small fish can play its role.
• Dung worms or crawling worms. This is the most affordable bait, which is not difficult to dig up. Any type of it will do, the main thing is to plant them in the form of a large bunch.
• Baby frogs are also actively used, actively attracting catfish with their movements in the water.
• Medvedka. Finding it is more problematic, since it is not found in all regions. In May, when they start digging potatoes, the mole cricket is often caught at the depth of a shovel bayonet, but is in a sleepy and inactive state.
• The pearl barley shell is the best bait of all time. If you have the opportunity to find it, then feel free to start fishing from it.
• Leeches
• Chicken or beef liver. Experienced fishermen have long used the liver as a bait, since it is accessible and catchy.

Of the artificial baits when fishing with a spinning rod, the following stand out:

• Large wobblers, deep-sea
• Rubber: twisters and vibrotails
• Oscillating spoons

Fishing attachment

When starting fishing, you need to know what catfish bite on. He has a good sense of smell and sensitivity, so you should use bait with a scent, preferably a little spoiled and capable of moving.

The attachments are very varied:

• Available in fishing areas - frogs, small pike, pike perch, shell entrails, crayfish.
• Insects – mole crickets, locusts.
• Earthworms, caterpillars, leeches.
• Pieces of poultry, liver, fried brisket.
• Pork – sliced ​​meat, liver.
• Mice.
• Artificial - vibrating tails, twisters, silicone worms, artificial mice, wobblers, etc.

Article on the topic: Catfish bait

The baits must be large, determined based on the desired size of the catch, and must have a ratio with the handle, 1:4, 1:8. There is a direct relationship between the size of the catch and the size of the bait. If you put a small worm on each hook, ruffs and minnows will eat them. Remember how a catfish bites - sharply, without pauses, pulling to the bottom.

Spring fishing methods

The methods that will be discussed are, for the most part, the same catches. The only thing is that when fishing with a spinning rod, it will be much more difficult for a novice fisherman to catch a trophy, since sometimes even experienced fishermen cannot do it. The most accessible thing for them remains to be the bottom tackle, and somewhere in the middle is the quok.

On the donk

Without a doubt, it is with donki that you should start trying yourself in this field. A universal method that does not require serious skills and equipment, allowing you to fish both from the shore and from a boat. All you need is a reel (a fishing rod, a piece of wood - it doesn’t matter), fishing line, a weight and a hook.

Next, the tackle is assembled as in the photo below, and the cast is made to the place where the catfish is caught. If fishing is done from a boat, then it is better not to put the bait at the very bottom, but to keep it at half-water. This option is often more productive if you use a kwok (read about it below).

Fishing with kwok

In this method you cannot do without a boat. First of all, in search of promising places, the bottom of the reservoir is examined. Large specimens may even be visible on the screen, but it is rather impossible for a beginner to identify them.

Having found a promising place (we wrote about them above, in the first chapter), the live bait is thrown into the mid-water and the fisherman begins to work with the hook. Its essence is simple: the noise made by the quok, for a reason unknown to anyone, attracts the catfish, luring it out of the hole. Rising to the noise, he smells the bait and swallows it.

Sequencing:

1. The tackle is thrown into the water
2. 4-5 strikes of the quok on the water without stopping
3. Pause for 20 seconds
4. Kwok strikes are repeated 4-5 times.

If you have an echo sounder, we advise you to carefully observe the catfish’s behavior through it. The first step is to remember how it is displayed in it, for identification in the future. Secondly, in order to see whether he begins to rise to the surface towards the sound.

At this moment, maintain complete silence, do not rock the boat, do not stomp in it, or make any sounds at all. Carefully observe the nod of the fishing rod or the tension of the fishing line. Be sure to securely fasten the rod (reel) so that when a fish bites, it does not drag it away with it. Often, fishermen hold the hook in one hand and hold the line in the other in order to make a hook in time.

Fishing rod from the shore

The fishing rod in this case will be the same bottom tackle, except that a blank is used instead of a reel. The larger the river or lake where fishing is carried out, the longer the fishing rod should be. The reel must be inertia-free, with a spool of 2000-4000.

A fishing line is tied to the spool, passed through the rings and mounted to the load. From the load comes a leash with a hook. All is ready. All that remains is to equip it with bait and cast. The method is suitable for both spring and any other time of year.

For spinning

Catfish do not like to chase prey, so in April you should put off the spinning rod; it is extremely difficult to catch it purposefully. In the second half of spring, in the month of May, the chances increase significantly, but you should follow simple rules. The bait should be deep-sea: jig or wobbler.

The size of the wobblers starts from 11 and ends at 17 cm, the rubber is selected in the same proportions, it is important that the depth be from 4 meters. The wiring should be sluggish, without sudden windings. If a spinner is used, the speed is sufficient for the spinner to start playing, nothing more.

The spinning rod should be tough, with a dough corresponding to the weight of the baits or jig heads (Cheburashkas). The reel should preferably be strong and reliable, with a adjusted friction clutch - this is necessary so that when the catfish jerks sharply, the line will reel in and not break off.

These are all just recommendations, use what you have. Of course, this cannot be an ultra light spinning rod; in this case, on the contrary, a “stake” will be more needed. Many novice fishermen generally have one reel, which is placed on the feeder, spinning rod and float - there is nothing wrong with that.

Features of catching catfish with bottom tackle

Bottom tackle is a combination of fishing line (cord) with a sinker and leashes with hooks. The peculiarities of fishing with the help of such a device are that it is done without the use of a fishing rod and is carried out mainly on boats. The tackle is held directly in the hand and equipped with a sinker weighing from 30 grams and a powerful hook. In addition, it is advisable to have two fishermen in the boat, since the method is not safe and requires caution, especially when catching a large specimen.

According to fishermen, fishing with bottom gear is the most convenient fishing technique.

What gear to use

A fisherman never knows what size catfish will bite on his tackle. Therefore, you should choose them with a margin of safety.

• Any rod will do, the main thing is that it is designed for the load. Conventional telescopes do this very well. Length 2.5-3 m
• Inertia-free reel with spool size from 2000-4000
• Reel (in case there is a classic donk, but there is no fishing rod for it)
• Main line braided from 0.3 mm, mono line from 0.50 mm
• The diameter of the leash is selected smaller than the diameter of the main line
• Hooks for specimens up to 10 kg No. 5-6, from 15 kg No. 9, over 15 kg No. 10-11. If there are no “monsters” in your reservoirs, then there is no point in equipping your gear with the most durable gear.

Read a detailed article about gear for catching catfish.

Tips for beginner fishermen

1. Never wrap braided cord or fishing line around your hand. This is especially true for donks and when fishing from a boat. With a sharp jerk, a large catfish will create such resistance that it can easily cut the fishing line through your hand.
2. In shallow water, start with small baits. Only if there is a complete lack of bite, change it to something larger.
3. When fishing from the shore, it is better to use smaller baits, since they will fly further when casting long distances.
4. If you catch catfish from a boat, then start with large baits (frogs, pieces of liver and others), since it is enough to immerse it in the water without long casting.

Fishing technique

Catching catfish with a donk in the spring is quite interesting, although it will require a lot of effort and patience. Having thrown the tackle, you need to wait until the catfish becomes interested in the bait. After the catfish starts tasting the prepared bait, you need to take a short pause. Then make a sharp hook and try to determine the size of the catfish. Do not take the catfish into snags or to the shore, but try to direct it to the current of the riverbed, where the predator will quickly lose its strength and be less maneuverable. Fishing for catfish can last up to several hours. However, catching catfish is unlikely to compare with any other fish.

For more details, watch the video - catching catfish in the spring with a donk:

What to use as bait and lures

Preparation is a very serious process of catching catfish, and the selection of bait determines 50% of all success. By nature, catfish fish are picky and indiscriminate, so they can fall for almost anything. But in the spring, after hibernation, catfish have a lot of food, so you need to choose a competitive bait that will definitely attract fish to you. Therefore, as bait, use:

1. Large insects (mole cricket, locust);
2. Small fish;
3. Pieces of meat (freshness does not matter);
4. Shellfish (mussels, snails);
5. Small animals (frogs, mice);
6. Worms.

The size of the bait determines the size of the prey, so to catch particularly large specimens, it is worth using the appropriate bait, namely mice, frogs, and so on. For small catfish, worms and insects are also suitable, but you will need a lot of them.

In addition to other baits, frogs and grasshoppers are also suitable.

Catfish activity and recommendations

After a long winter hibernation, the owners of the reservoir move closer to the shore in the hope of catching some prey and warming up in the warm shallows. In the spring season, catfish are caught using almost all types of gear, but they are mainly used:

• heavy category spinning rods;
• powerful feeder;
• donk equipped with a reel.

When the spawning period is over, some of the fish look for other shelters, while the other part remains in the same places for wintering.

After spawning and spring fishing in general, the next question arises: what method should I use now? A couple of effective methods should be added:

• floater;
• trolling.

Often, small catfish begin to bite already in the first half of May. Large specimens guard the eggs and become ill after spawning is completed. A few weeks after the end of spawning, the fish begin to eat really hard. This period occurs in June.

In summer, large individuals do not like daytime hunting and bright light, so their activity begins at night. And during the day, the fish hides among snags, near bushes that cast shadows, in large holes and pools. According to experts, to make fishing more successful, it is recommended to go out to catch catfish after 6 pm and before 12 am. The morning activity of catfish begins at dawn and ends at 9 am.

Almost all catfish are located near their shelters (pits); they can be at a short distance somewhere near a slight break in the bottom and wait for their prey. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully examine the area near the pit.

Unpredictable fishing begins in the fall. Catfish can bite both during the day and at night. The fishing process is complicated by the fact that previously the predator itself swam to the bait by smell, but in cool weather its activity decreases significantly.

In this case, a spinning rod equipped with large baits, which can be in the form of live bait or silicone products, will help . It is preferable to fish with a jig. Moderate wiring is maintained without jerking - this is necessary so as not to jump over the shelter of the catfish in which it is hiding. Sometimes moving the bait to the side a few meters helps to get a bite, and in the process of retrieving the fish begins to be tempted.

Where to catch catfish in April

Catching catfish in April requires that anglers know that after winter rest, catfish usually behave a little warily, not moving far from their wintering holes. With further heating of the water, catfish increasingly move to shallow places, and may even come out to bask in the shallows and reaches on a sunny, warm day. On such days, catfish bite almost all day; night fishing is not very effective. So, you need to catch catfish in April near wintering areas or in shallow waters, where the water is warmed up by the spring sun.

Catfish spawning

Typically, catfish spawning begins in May at a water temperature of 18 degrees and continues for two to three weeks. After which the fish rests for some time, and then the post-spawning meal of the catfish begins, which is quite strong and long-lasting. It is precisely at this time that the opportunity arises to experience the complete pleasure of fishing for catfish in the spring.

Catchy donka for catfish in May

No matter what kind of fisherman you are, be it an avid carp angler or a spinning fisherman, sooner or later there is a desire to catch the largest fish in our waters - catfish . You can catch it from the shore or from a boat, using a spinning rod or using a donkey. It’s up to you to choose, but I think that the most acceptable and catchable tackle for a novice fisherman will be the donka . It is best to catch catfish in May, since at this time its pre-spawning feast begins.

Tackle for catching catfish So, since we are going to catch the owner of the river with bottom tackle, which can be either an ordinary donka or bottom equipment with a spinning rod , then this matter must be taken with full responsibility.

Catfish fishing rod

For fishing, it is important to choose powerful blank rods with a large margin of safety - you must understand that catfish, as a rule, like to be stationed under fallen trees and snags and after you hook them they will certainly try to drag the tackle there. And here all the responsibility falls on the shoulders of your rod. In pursuit of real giants, it is advisable to use specialized carp or sea fishing rods. To
catch catfish
from the shore, use
rods
between 2.80 and 3.40 in length. They cost a fair amount, but they are worth it.

Catfish reel

Having chosen a reliable fishing rod, the question arises about the proper reel. Most fishermen use spinning reels with a large spool, which allows them to use a large supply of large-diameter fishing line (starting from 4000). Typically, such reels are used for carp and sea fishing. On the spool of each spinning reel it is written how much line it holds (the length and diameter of the line section). Keep in mind that this rule does not apply to braided lines; it always holds less than fishing line of the same diameter. Still, I advise you to use multiplier reels for catching catfish.

Fishing line for catfish

The diameter (thickness of the line) largely depends on the reel and spinning rod you choose, as they allow you to reduce the resistance of the fish and use thinner lines. Monofilament, of course, has higher strength (higher breaking loads), but quickly wears out on uneven bottoms, in particular, it is very easily cut off on shells. On a regular bottom without using a spinning rod, use a fishing line of at least 0.8 - 1 mm. You can also install a durable nylon cord. So decide for yourself what is better to use - fishing line or monofilament .

Sinker for catching catfish

When choosing the shape and weight of the sinker, you must take into account the strength of the current, what bait you will use, and of course the fishing conditions. If you are going to fish with live bait (frog, crayfish or fish), which may well drag the equipment to the side, then use a heavier sinker. When fishing in the current, do not use flat weights, but choose a ribbed one.

Hooks for catching catfish

First of all, when choosing hooks for catfish, decide on the bait: for fishing with live bait (frog, crayfish or fish), use treble hooks or double hooks, and for fishing with a “bundle” of crawlers or crayfish meat, you can use a single hook. Since the catfish’s mouth is large and it easily swallows bait, do not hesitate to use large hooks No. 18-20. Moreover, the hooks must be of high quality and strong. I do not recommend using hooks with a small distance from the end of the barb to the bottom point of the hook. Such a hook with a low hook will not be able to penetrate deeply into the mouth of the fish, and this will lead to its escape.

Donka for catching catfish

How to make a donk for catfish fishing ? Actually, your equipment will consist of the main fishing line, leashes with hooks and sinkers. And then a spinning rod and reel or just a reel. The sinker can be either a sliding intermediate or a blind end sinker. Depends to a greater extent on the bottom topography (in snags it is solid, on a bottom clear of obstacles it is sliding). Tie leashes up to 50 centimeters long, otherwise it happens that the catfish is just starting to take the bait, and your nerves, unable to withstand the tension, set the hook for hooking and you do it ahead of time and the catfish leaves.

How and where to catch catfish using bottom tackle?

So where can you find catfish? First of all, look for him in the pits - he spends most of the day there. Its presence will be indicated by the characteristic splashes and smacking sounds of a catfish rising to the surface. Or ask local fishermen; as a rule, we are not selfish people. It is also worth throwing the tackle into the coastal areas around the hole. It is better to use several donoks, as it is possible to fish a larger part of the reservoir, and know that if you catch a catfish in a certain place, then it is very likely that this is not the last catfish from this hole. Do not forget to be careful - catfish are very sensitive fish and can be frightened by extraneous sounds or light from a flashlight. Having cast the tackle from the shore or brought it from the boat, you must firmly fix the reel or rod. You should be prepared for a very strong jerk when it bites.

Bait for catching catfish

What to use as bait for catfish? This glutton is omnivorous and changes its diet depending on age. The young one loves to feast on worms, leeches, shells, etc. As it matures, it switches to larger prey such as frogs, crayfish and small fish. Old people do not disdain rodents, waterfowl, etc. that have fallen into the water. Moreover, the choice of bait also depends on the time of year.

• In the spring - a bunch of worms, frogs, fried poultry, meat, shells, live bait, spinnerbaits; in summer - live bait, frog, stale meat, bird intestines, crawler, mole cricket, spinner bait;
• In autumn - stale meat, fried poultry (Sparrow), live bait, frog, bunch of worms, crayfish meat.

I think it’s not worth feeding the catfish, extraneous aromas can only aggravate fishing by attracting small things that can pretty much nibble your bait, but here the choice is yours.

And then there is the bait, tested by many fishermen - these are all the baits listed, but missing and emitting a characteristic odor. The catfish's sense of smell is very developed and it simply will not be able to pass by your bait.

But lastly, I’ll say that if there is this giant in the river, then the rest is a matter of time and technology and of course NHNCH!!!