CATFISHING TIPS AND TRICKS FOR WHEN THE BITE IS SLOW AND THE FISH ARE BEING SHIFTY
1. Smaller And Lighter May Be Better
We have found that sometimes you need to give a medium rod or even a crappie rod such as a whoopin stick a try. Try to bait down and use a little smaller tackle. The less weight (bait and tackle) and less resistance (lighter rod selection) that catfish feels is going help aid in the bait and hook getting into the catfishes mouth. Always remember not all of those little thumps you see are baby channel cat’s big fish do the same thing when the bite is like this.
2. Feed Them
And no we don’t mean keep losing your bait. On many occasions we have pulled our rods out of the rod holders and engaged the cast and just let them run with it until they get the hook. This trick goes along with #1 Smaller and lighter is better especially when the catfish are inactive and pecking your bait.
3. Don’t Sit Too Long
Don’t sit in one spot too long. We typically won’t sit longer than 45 minutes in one spot unless we have marked an absolute monster in the area. Even if you are marking a good amount of fish in that spot, you could be sitting on a group of inactive fish.
4. Try Different Things When Drift Fishing
Normally .4-.6 MPH is money but we have found when the bite is tough slowing down can help, We might try not to even go over .3 MPH. On the other hand we have tried speeding up and throwing all the noise adders on our lines to try to induce a reaction bite. Speaking of the reaction bite try to keep your baits fluffed reel them in a couple cranks or give them a few jerks and set them back in your rod holders.
5. The Double Hook Rig
The double hook rig is a good weapon to have tied up and ready on days like this. What do you have to lose having 2 baits and 2 hooks in the water? You get double the scent and double the chance of a catfish finding your hook. Be sure to follow all local laws and regulations! Click here for an example of how to tie a double hook rig.