FishKillFlea· Guides · 5 min read
How to Catch Catfish: Bait, Rigs, Techniques & Best Spots (2026)
Reviewed by FishKillFlea Editorial Team
Catfish are one of the easiest and most rewarding fish to catch. Here's everything you need — best bait, proven rigs, where to find them, and when they bite.
Catfish are everywhere, they bite hard, they fight hard, and they taste incredible. They’re in every state, every lake, nearly every river, and they’re not picky eaters. If you want a fish that reliably shows up — especially for night fishing — catfish are your answer.
The 3 Types of Catfish in America
| Species | Average Size | Max Size | Where | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channel catfish | 2–10 lbs | 50+ lbs | Every state; lakes, rivers, ponds | ⭐ Easiest — will bite almost anything |
| Blue catfish | 5–30 lbs | 100+ lbs | Major rivers (Mississippi, Ohio, James); southern reservoirs | ⭐⭐ Medium — need cut bait |
| Flathead catfish | 10–40 lbs | 100+ lbs | Large rivers and reservoirs; prefer live bait | ⭐⭐⭐ Harder — require live bait |
Start with channel catfish. They’re the most abundant, the most cooperative, and they taste the best. Channels are in virtually every body of water in the US.
Pflueger President Spinning Reel
Smooth 10-bearing system. Great value for freshwater fishing.
Affiliate link · Prices may vary
Best Catfish Bait (Ranked)
For Channel Catfish
| Bait | Rating | Why It Works | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken liver | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Strong smell; channels love it; cheap | $3/tub at grocery |
| Nightcrawlers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Works everywhere for everything | $3–$5/dozen |
| Stink bait / dip bait | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Designed specifically for catfish; maximum scent in the water | $5–$8/jar |
| Hot dogs | ⭐⭐⭐ | Cheap and available; works surprisingly well | $2/pack |
| Cut shad | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Natural forage; irresistible scent | Free (catch your own) |
| Punch bait | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Stiff formula you punch a treble hook into | $6–$10 |
For Blue Catfish
| Bait | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cut shad (gizzard or threadfin) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | The #1 blue cat bait — fresh-cut chunks |
| Fresh cut skipjack herring | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Outstanding on big rivers |
| Whole live shad | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Drift or anchor with live shad |
For Flathead Catfish
| Bait | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Live bluegill / sunfish | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Flatheads strongly prefer live fish — this is the #1 bait |
| Live shad | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Hook through the back; let it swim |
| Live perch | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good alternative to bluegill |
Flathead rule: Flatheads almost exclusively eat live bait. If you’re targeting flatheads, don’t bother with chicken liver or stink bait — use a live bluegill or shad hooked through the back.
Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod
Premium Ugly Stik with improved sensitivity and lighter weight.
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Best Catfish Rigs
Rig #1: Carolina Rig (Bottom Fishing — Most Popular)
Best for: Channel catfish on lakes and rivers
Setup:
- Thread a 1/2–1 oz egg sinker onto your main line
- Tie a barrel swivel
- Attach 12–18 inches of leader line to the other end of the swivel
- Tie a circle hook (size 2/0–4/0) to the end of the leader
- Bait with chicken liver, cut bait, or stink bait
How to fish it: Cast to a likely catfish area (hole, channel edge, brush pile). Let it sink to the bottom. Set your rod in a holder. Wait.
Rig #2: Slip Bobber Rig (Suspended Bait)
Best for: Fishing over submerged timber or brush piles where bottom rigs snag
Setup:
- Thread a bobber stop onto your line
- Thread a slip bobber onto your line
- Add a small split shot sinker
- Tie a circle hook
- Set the bobber stop to the depth you want (usually 2–5 feet off the bottom)
Rig #3: Float Rig (For Rivers/Current)
Best for: Drifting bait through current on rivers
Setup:
- Clip a round bobber 3–4 feet above your hook
- Add a split shot sinker between the bobber and hook
- Bait your circle hook with chicken liver or cut bait
- Cast upstream and let the current drift the rig through holes and eddies
Penn Pursuit IV Spinning Combo
Rod and reel combo ready to fish out of the box. Great value for new anglers.
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Where to Find Catfish
| Location | Why Catfish Are There | Best Time |
|---|---|---|
| Deep holes in rivers | Catfish rest in deep water during day | Night — they move shallow to feed |
| Around dams and spillways | Concentrated baitfish; strong current brings food | Year-round; especially below dams |
| Creek mouths (where a creek enters a lake) | Fresh water influx attracts baitfish and catfish | After rain — muddy water brings catfish shallow |
| Submerged timber / brush piles | Cover and ambush points | Year-round |
| River bends (outside bend) | Deeper water; current scours holes | Night and early morning |
| Riprap banks (rock walls) | Crawfish habitat; good catfish feeding | Summer nights |
| Pond dams | Deepest water in a pond | Night |
| Bridge pilings | Current breaks; fish stack up behind them | Year-round |
When to Catch Catfish
| Time | Catfish Activity | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Night (10 PM – 2 AM) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Peak feeding | Best window; fish move shallow. Night fishing tips |
| Dusk (1 hour before sunset) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Starting to move | Transition period; good for setup |
| Dawn (first light) | ⭐⭐⭐ Good | Second-best feeding window; back to deep water by 8 AM |
| Midday (10 AM – 4 PM) | ⭐⭐ Slow | Fish the deepest holes and structure; bites are possible but slower |
| After a rain storm | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent | Catfish feed aggressively in muddy, rising water |
Best Months for Catfish
| Month | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| March–April | ⭐⭐⭐ | Pre-spawn; catfish start feeding more as water warms |
| May–June | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Spawn; some catfish are on nests (hard to catch), but non-spawners feed heavily |
| July–September | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Peak season; warmest water; catfish most active at night |
| October–November | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Pre-winter feeding binge; big fish get caught |
| December–February | ⭐⭐ | Slow in cold water; fish deep holes during warmest part of day |
Catfish Gear Recommendations
| Gear | Beginner Budget | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rod | 7’ medium-heavy spinning rod ($20–$40) | Needs backbone for big fish; doesn’t need to be fancy |
| Reel | 3000–4000 size spinning reel (comes with combo) | Smooth drag is important for big catfish |
| Line | 15–20 lb monofilament | Heavy enough for big channel cats; cheap |
| Hooks | Circle hooks, size 2/0–4/0 | Circle hooks are SAFER (hook the corner of the mouth, not the gut) |
| Sinkers | Egg sinkers, 1/2–1 oz | For Carolina rig bottom fishing |
| Rod holders | Bank sticks or forked sticks you find on the ground | Let the rod sit while you wait |
Total cost: $30–$60 for everything you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bait for catfish? Chicken liver for channel catfish — it’s cheap ($3), available at every grocery store, and catfish can’t resist the smell. For blue catfish, use cut shad. For flatheads, use live bluegill. See our Best Bait Guide.
What time is best for catfish? Night — specifically 10 PM to 2 AM. Catfish are nocturnal feeders and move into shallow water after dark. The second-best window is dusk (the hour before sunset). See our Night Fishing Guide.
Do you need a fishing license for catfish? Yes — a standard fishing license covers catfish in all states. There’s no separate “catfish license.” See our Cost Guide.
Can you eat catfish? Absolutely — catfish is one of the most popular eating fish in America. Channel catfish under 5 lbs have the best flavor. How to clean and fillet catfish.
Why are circle hooks better for catfish? Circle hooks catch catfish in the corner of the mouth (not deep in the throat), which makes unhooking easier and significantly reduces gut-hooking. Many states now require or encourage circle hooks for catfish.
For gear setup, see What You Need to Go Fishing. For knots, see Fishing Knots Guide. For more species, see How to Catch Bass.
