First, try to shake off the old assumption that catfish are lazy scavengers who sit on the bottom just waiting for your stink bait to drop in front of their noses.
Catfish do indeed hunt using their senses of smell and taste more than their eyesight, and they will scavenge when and where they can. But they’re also active hunters.
Smaller cats will gobble up just about anything, but bigger catfish—especially flatheads—are more likely to strike something alive.
Anglers who go out after big flathead catfish in Arizona usually use live bluegills, small carp, shad or other baitfish. Waterdogs are a favorite bait too, if you can get your hands on some (be careful, they’re not legal everywhere).
Of course, if all you really want to do is sit back and haul in channel cats for your next fish fry, you have a lot of bait options. Chicken livers, nightcrawlers, anchovies, shrimp, chunks of hot dog, and a wide variety of dough baits and stink baits will do the trick.
Catfish do reside on or near bottom for the most part, so keep your bait down as close to the bottom as you can.
As a general rule, catfish spend their days in deeper water, and head shallow at night to feed. So, if you’re fishing from shore, night fishing is your best bet.
Oftentimes the best spot is right around the drop-off that catfish use to transition between deep and shallow water. These fish have a habit of holing up between rocks, amid log jams and in deep holes during the day.
Sturdy tackle and heavy line is a must. Many anglers prefer braided line, both for its strength and its ability to get to the bottom faster. If flatheads are on the menu, it’s wise to spool up with at least 50-pound test line.
Many catfish anglers use a baitcasting reel with a clicker. This allows them to set up a rod (or multiple rods) and leave them unattended, listening for the ‘click’ of the reel to alert them when a fish is on the line.
Looking for even more whisker fish catching hints? Try our free guide, Catfish Fishing: Simple How-To Techniques and Tips.
Catfish spawn from late spring into early summer, when water temperatures are between 70 and 80 degrees.
In most Arizona lakes, catfish start to make their way toward shallow spawning grounds in April and will continue to bite throughout the summer months.
While some types of catfish are available in many ponds, lakes and streams, the following waters are the best of the best when it comes to catfish fishing.
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