How can cast out longer from the bank? how deep do you fish for catfish ( blues )?Not fishing long but just need some help always fish from the bank but can't get the line out far enough. I'm in TX so good a lake catfish would help too. thanks | |
How can cast out longer from the bank? how deep do you fish for catfish ( blues )?Not fishing long but just need some help always fish from the bank but can't get the line out far enough. I'm in TX so good a lake catfish would help too. thanks | |
Allow the business end to hang from the tip of the rod at about 18 inches, then fling it out there like you would normally cast it. This will give it like a whiplashing action to help it fly out there further.
By the way, it's not necessarily how deep to fish for the catfish, it's about putting the bait where they are most likely to be. If you want to get after the big ones, look for deep pockets like around the bends, behind structure like fallen timber and boulders, around dams, etc. They'll usually be facing into the current so you can try to let your bait drift right into them.
You need a long rod. Particularly a surf rod. Surf rods are used a lot by bank fishermen for Catfish. You can find a decent surf rod, such as the Daiwa Beefstick, for $20 - $40. 8' or longer is the best. 8' or 9' rod should be fine for most places. Step up to a 10' rod if you think it's necessary. Heck, some guys even use 15' surf rods when they need some VERY long casts.
One of these long surf rods paired with an Okuma Baitfeeder reel in it's largest or near largest size, and 65lb braid would be a Catfish KILLER. Use braid and spinning reels for extremely long casts. Spinning reels offer no resistance on the cast unlike baitcasters, which a spool has to move to let line come out. Braid is most often used because it's extremely strong and thin, making it the best choice for long casts.
You need a catfish pole. Heavy weight size pole from 6 ft up. I've seen all sorts of reels used for catfish, just ones big enough for walnut sized sinkers and heavy line. My favorite catfish setup has to have a bait-caster reel. Water this time of year is pretty cold. Fifty five degrees here in eastern Iowa; go for the 6ft or less water depth to get to that right temperature. If you already have the 65 to 70 degrees range find the still waters with holes for catfish spawning.
to cast farther, use a 7' plus rod, large capacity reel- try spinning reel. i use small diameter hybrid line- spider wire super mono- casting line.. braided works too. use 1 to 2 oz. weights.
you can fish on the bottom, or close to the bottom either using floating baits or using a float/bobber to suspend it off the bottom..