Catfishing Necessities
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“I am pretty sure I will need the net,” said Kyle Mohr during a recent fishing trip on the Mississippi River. The drag on his reel whined from time to time, with resistance from both the fish and the powerful current.
Those are the words catfish anglers long to utter, because it means you need a net to land the fish rather than simply lifting it with the rod and swinging it into the boat. I quickly pulled the net from under the lone seat in the boat, and we netted the fish, much to Kyle’s delight.
There was a time – a time I have often mentioned over the years – when I fished from the bank of the Fox River with only a couple rods, a can of worms, a small metal tackle box, and a stringer. That stringer had a ring on one end and a sharp rod on the other, which you pushed through the bottom of the fish’s mouth and back through the ring, then stuck into the bank to keep the fish alive and in the water.
In the bottom of that tackle box was a pair of rusted pliers that had gotten wet and frozen shut. I would have to work them back and forth to loosen them before removing a hook if a catfish swallowed the bait. It was during the extraction of such hooks that I usually got finned.
It was a much simpler time, when everything fit in a milk crate strapped to the back of my motorcycle, except for the rods, which were tied to the handlebars.
I miss those days, when fishing life fit in a milk crate. But my fishing has grown past that, though not out of control. It is easy to think that the more gear you have, the more catfish you will catch. If only it were that simple.
Over the years I have refined a list of necessities I ensure are in my boat before heading downriver. So this week, I thought I would share that list for those considering catfishing with a rod and reel on the big river.
Let’s skip past the obvious rods and reels. For tackle, you will need weights or sinkers, hooks, and swivels. Not a ton, but enough to re-tie if you lose gear a couple times on snags or rocks.
I prefer a sliding weight on my line so the catfish does not immediately feel resistance when it takes the bait. Then there is the snap swivel, which allows me to quickly attach another stink bait worm if I lose one or if a fish swallows it. Speaking of stink bait worms, I keep about a dozen in my catfishing bucket for myself or a guest.
As far as stink bait goes, I use Sonny’s Super Sticky. I carry two tubs – one blood flavored and one cheese flavored. If the fish are biting well, I cannot tell the difference, but I keep one tub in each end of the boat for convenience. You will also need a stick to dip the worms into the bait. While it is easy to find sticks along the shore, I use paint stirring sticks because they are easy to clean and reuse. I keep a couple under my boat seat and try to keep them separated so blood and cheese do not mix, though it still happens, and I don’t lose sleep over it.
That takes care of bait and gear for catching fish. Next is handling them.
At the beginning of this story, I mentioned my landing net. There are better nets than mine – some have webbing that prevents hooks from penetrating as easily, or stiffer mesh to reduce tangling. But a few years before my mother passed away, she asked what I wanted for my birthday. I told her I didn’t need anything. She insisted on getting me something I would use, so I finally said I wanted a landing net. I wish I could have seen her shopping for one at Farm and Home.
She bought me that net, and I do not leave home without it. It is suited for larger catfish, as smaller fish can be handled without a net.
I have replaced those rusted pliers with needle-nose pliers, and after fishing with family friend Ken Garkie, who uses a very long set, I switched to pistol-grip pliers with textured handles and a unique shape that allows better access to remove hooks. They are stainless steel, purchased at Cabela’s in Minnesota, and they have been incredible.
I also carry a couple other hook removal tools in the bucket in case they are needed. Additionally, I have a pair of locking grippers to hold fish while removing hooks. My left hand is weaker than my right due to surgeries, so the grippers help, and they allow others to hold fish safely for photos.
Oddly, I get finned by smaller catfish nine times out of 10, so I keep a pair of fishing gloves in my bucket, which also help during cleaning. I keep a sharp fillet knife for cleaning fish and an old utility knife in the boat for cutting line or general tasks. It was inexpensive and could easily be replaced if lost overboard.
Finally, I need a way to keep the fish I catch. In my boat, I have two wire fish baskets, one at each end, to keep each angler’s catch separate and ensure we know who has how many fish. If you only have one basket, you need a way to mark your fish, such as a small zip tie. If in doubt, err on the side of caution.
What I like most about those baskets is how well they keep the fish. Eventually, you may catch just one fish and later decide you do not want to mess with dressing and cleaning it. With a basket, you can release the fish back to the river.
