Two Catfish Questions

[QUOTE=know1;367859]Some of it might be bluegill, but I fish bluegill a lot too and these are more than just nibbles. These are the type where the float is popping sharply under the water or pulled completely under the water before I try to hook up.

The float I'm using is quite a bit bigger than something I would use with a bluegill.[/QUOTE]

Might be Skipjack or white bass. For grins, tie a second much smaller hook with teh same bait under the big hook soo it hands down say 4-5 inches form the big bait and hook. Next time the boobber starts doing this, you might just be able to catch and see who the culprit is.

[QUOTE=know1;367859]Some of it might be bluegill, but I fish bluegill a lot too and these are more than just nibbles. These are the type where the float is popping sharply under the water or pulled completely under the water before I try to hook up.

The float I'm using is quite a bit bigger than something I would use with a bluegill.[/QUOTE]

Catfish will pull the float under slowly and it will just stay under. When a cat takes your bait he eats it. They usually don't fiddle fart around.

What kind of bait are you using? Bluegill will pull worms and livers off your hook. A piece of cutbait they leave alone but you may run into gar with cutbait.

[QUOTE=HURRICANEBOB;367928]Might be Skipjack or white bass. For grins, tie a second much smaller hook with teh same bait under the big hook soo it hands down say 4-5 inches form the big bait and hook. Next time the boobber starts doing this, you might just be able to catch and see who the culprit is.[/QUOTE]

That's a good idea. I've not fished for catfish anywhere that had skipjack or white bass yet, so I do not think it's them.

I think I'm going to buy some smaller hooks and just see.

Hey guys,

Just wanted to thank you for all of the great tips that you've given me in this thread. I'm going to go buy some circle hooks, as those sound better than the plain regular hooks I've used. I have both a KY and IN license and fish all over the place. I'm not a great fisherman by any means, but I love to be out on a bank somewhere. This should make things even more fun.

Have a great weekend! - Mike

[QUOTE=know1;367790]I've been doing more and more catfishing and my question is on the type of hooks to use.

I'm usually fishing in places where I'm catching small channel cats. I'll get bites constantly, but I hook up about 5% of the time.

I use circle hooks and I know you're not supposed to set the hook, but with a fish that small, they'll nibble on the bait forever so I'll eventually do a slow, even pressure hookset with the usual result being nothing.

Right now, I do not know what size hook I'm using, but I'm wondering if I need to go to a smaller circle hook.[/QUOTE]

Just a quick question. Are you fishing on the bottom when you are getting those nibbles. In my experience with bottom fihing, you could be having problems with turtles or even mussels. I catch both on a consitent basis and the nibbling/missing could be either of those.

[QUOTE=the_donger;368240]Just a quick question. Are you fishing on the bottom when you are getting those nibbles. In my experience with bottom fihing, you could be having problems with turtles or even mussels. I catch both on a consitent basis and the nibbling/missing could be either of those.[/QUOTE]

I usually fish on the bottom, but this latest time I was fishing with a bobber. I know there were at least some catfish biting because I caught 4 in about an hour.