Soft lures for catfish
As with pike-perch fishing and other predators, the soft bait catfish model will be based around two main lures: shads and grubs. With complementary actions, they can successfully cover very different conditions.
The grub or comma remains the safe bet for use in a wide range of conditions. The water temperature will allow you to change the retrieve speed to be effective. The faster you go, the warmer the water will be, whereas you will inevitably reduce your cranking speed during the cold season.
The shad will also do well. A little less versatile for this fish, it is nonetheless an excellent companion for linear fishing in search of active catfish. You can rely on the large sizes available on the market. Don't hesitate to choose large paddles that will stir up a lot of water with a simple retrieve. Count on sizes from 15 to more than 25cm without any problem to make pretty fish react.
Catfish hard lures
This is a family not to be overlooked. In fact, catfish swimbaits include a number of models that will catch fish where all others fail. These include crankbaits with their large bibs and lipless for more vertical fishing.
The crankbait is probably the favourite of all catfish anglers. With its ability to descend quickly into pools, it leaves nothing to chance and will trigger reaction attacks quite easily. All you have to do is choose the length of the bib to match your desired depth, and moments of great intensity are likely to come quickly.
The vibration is the second option when it comes to hard lures for the Silurus Glanus. It can be used for both casting back and jigging close to a boat. The often very loud sound of this lure will get the fish moving at length, so you don't necessarily need to get close to congested areas or areas that could present a risk on contact. Look out for models with the Black Cat or Madcat labels to ensure you get a quality, hard-wearing hook.
Catfish spoons
These really are a safe bet. You may say that this is true for all predators. There are two main types of catfish spoon: spinners and wobblers. Their fields of action will be different, so you can rely on their complementarity.
Spinners are the easiest to use. All you have to do is throw them and retrieve them in a linear fashion. Depending on how fast you retrieve them, you can move them to different depths. Without knowing the area, it's always best to start high up in the water column and gradually work your way down towards the obstacles. By emitting fairly strong frequency ripples, it will attract predators from a distance, making it easier for you to approach them.
The sensations will be different with undulating lures. The descent phases in the water column will be the key moment in the success of your animation. They turn on themselves and descend like a leaf falling from a tree. This slow descent gives the predator plenty of time to fix its attack and target the lure. Even if it's risky, don't hesitate to let the lure drop to the bottom to lift some silt or sediment.
Catfish octopus
This is a more modern fishing technique that has emerged thanks to the passion of certain anglers who have tried to understand how these fish work. Made up of a head weighing from a few dozen grams to a few hundred, catfish octopuses use a dense skirt made up of different types of line and sometimes beads.
They emit a wide range of sounds that are sure to whet the appetites of fish, especially large ones. The triple hidden inside will be strong, of a suitable size and with a special coating if you opt for Madcat.
For the more technical among you, you can opt for models without a skirt, which offers instead a plate that triggers a wave by folding in one direction, but also by returning to its initial position. More discreet, this will overcome the mistrust of fish that have already been fished and are used to modern techniques.
Other products for catfish fishing :
