Ask the Gear Guy
Best catfishing gear
Q. What’s the best gear for fishing in rivers for catfish?
— Adam the Angler, Fox River Grove, Ill.
A. Now that’s the perfect summertime question. To answer it, I called my buddy Jimbo Meador, a legendary fishing guide from Point Clear, Ala. Here’s what he had to say:
“I grew up catching catfish on limb lines. Just find some low hanging tree limbs that hang right out over the river. Tie one or more lines on the limb and bait the hooks with cut bait. Cut up fish, eel, crawfish, or even cheese will work.
“If there’s current in the river put a little weight on your line, like some splitshot. Then let it sit. When you see the limb shaking you know you’ve got a catfish.
“I’ve caught plenty of catfish on a pole and line but you catch them way better at night, and with the limb line you can set your lines then be off doing something else while you’re catching fish — like maybe even sleeping. Then you can wake up to catfish and grits!”
Mar. 28, 2008 at 11:26 am
I love fishing so this is a great help!
Apr. 19, 2008 at 9:33 am
Thanks for the tips, Looking forward to trying this on the Juniata River this summer.
May. 10, 2008 at 12:29 am
Cool tip, I will try that next time I am camping by a lake or stream.
May. 17, 2008 at 9:29 am
Limb lines work great, but they take out some of the fun of reeling a 20 pounder. but if you are desprate and only want food, limb lines are the way to go. Oh yea, try bits of hotdog for carp and catfish!
May. 27, 2008 at 11:03 am
hey what will work for fishing on the bank for catfish and how far out do i throw the line out i went catfishing yesterday and cot dram insted of catfish we were using worms why was we not cathing catfish.
May. 28, 2008 at 8:45 am
thanks have to try that
May. 28, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Thats a good tip but catfish in our pond dont like cut bait wierd huh i use hotdog to catch catfish but i cant get brim to quit taking my hotdog
Jun. 1, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Thanks Gear Guy,i look forward to using it next time i fish.Oh yeah try using liver too.
Jun. 25, 2008 at 3:42 pm
great advice! Me and my grandpa go fishing all the time and that is some of the same exact things we do.thanks now i can teach my friends
Jun. 25, 2008 at 6:14 pm
limb lines are illegal in some areas check your local laws before using them
Jul. 20, 2008 at 12:17 pm
this is for noulin, the reason you didn’t catch any catfish with a worm is because catfish are bottom feeders. You need smelly like cheese or shrimp (basically any thing like leftover chicken from supper)
Aug. 25, 2008 at 8:42 pm
good tips. the next time i go fishing for catfish i will use limb lines and the tips you gave me.
Aug. 29, 2008 at 2:06 pm
hey, another tip is to use chicken liver to catch fish.you can get it at any supermarket, it usually comes frozen and is very smelly (thats great for catfish) so wwatch where you put it
Sep. 3, 2008 at 6:14 pm
When I fish the river and come up on these “limb lines” I cut em up. Where I come from people like to set up 100’s of lines on the river and only remember a few at a time. It kills fish unnecessarily and causes unwanted mess. My advice for anyone doin this is to make sure you watch your lines closely, don’t let them sit for days at a time.
Jan. 31, 2009 at 2:23 pm
oh and chicken livers do work good
thats how i catch my cat
ive cought a 25 pounder and got in outdoors news
Jan. 31, 2009 at 2:24 pm
what is better a bait caster or a open face real?