I do almost all my catfishing on rivers and creeks. The key to this type of fishing is finding the deepest hole on the stretch of water you are fishing. The more snags in the hole, the better. Outside bends in the river often contain such water. Be prepared to walk long distances to find the best "cat" spots. The easy- to-get-to areas are often fished out by the "meat hunters". I find the best time to catch cats on rivers is late spring thru early summer, and then again in the fall. If you're after big flatheads, be patient. Even if you have found good water, these large predators do not feed every night. I highly recommend everyone release all flatheads, to insure the future of the fishery.
The area below dams on large rivers, is a great place to find cats. They are drawn to the tail waters of these areas to feed on the many bait fish in the area. The above pic, shows my wife fishing the Pike Island tailwaters, in June 2002.
The above image show a good spot to catch catfish. The submerged timber will draw both flatheads and channel cats. Fish around the timber but not in it at night for best results. Use a live bait fish if you can get them for flatheads, if not try a piece of cut shad. Channel cats can also be taken in this spot.
The above pic shows the spot where I have caught my two biggest Flatheads this year. Including my biggest ever of 50-lbs
It is a deep hole at the end of a riffle, with alot of submerged trees. You cant see the snags from the surface, but believe me they are there, as I have lost many rigs in this hole.
The above pic shows where I catch alot of channel cats in the fall, and winter.
For the most part the Cats are in deep holes during cold weather. However I have found that if you pick a nice
sunny day, during times of moderating temperatures you can catch Channels in the shallows.
Active cats will be feeding in the shallow water warmed slightly by the sun. Agin cut bait fish such as shad or sucker is the best bait to use. That is why I try to keep a supply handy in the freezer.
Just one of the loacations I fish for cats on a local river
Another stretch of a good catfishing river that I fish often.
In small creeks and some larger rivers, bridge pillars are a good spot to catfish. Deep water around the pillars, along with snags that collect offer sanctuary for flatheads and channel cats. These fish may be uncatchable in the daytime, but will venture to shallow water flats adjacent to the hole at night to feed.
The above picture shows a spot in a small Creek, where I have caught many nice fish.
Flatheads up to 25-lb, and Channels up to 10-lb have been pulled from this location, barely 30yds wide.
I would advise releasing all cats from small waters such as this..Because you can easily ruin a small spot by keeping to many fish.
I release all my cats no matter where I catch them..Promote the future of Catfishing, practice catch and release.
Secluded spots in small creeks can yield big catfish. The word secluded, is the key in finding good Catfishing waters. Almost all the easy to get to areas, are fished hard, and not really worth my time. Gaining access to fish Rivers and Creeks that run thru private land, is getting harder and harder. Way to many "slob" fisherman have made private landowners, reluctant to letting people on there land. Thus the few are ruining it for the many! I take my fishing way to serious to trash someones land, or to drink or party while fishing. Please pick up you litter, and leave the fishing areas better than what you have found it.
