Went out fishing tonight and around 2 in morning couldn't buy a bite. Stayed till 4 and nothing. Was wondering if they stopped. At some time or if pond in my neighborhood was just really over fished.

no

more than likely the second reason. neighborhood ponds get overfished quick

Depends,sometimes right at dark then for a couple hours and at sunup for a couple hours is best. Has always been peak time for me in ponds/sm lakes. If a lot if food is in the tank,those times seemed to be when they decided to eat.

I have found that the fish totally stop biting, when I show up to fish!

Are you chumming the waters at all? If you're fishing for eating size channel cats that's pretty important, especially when the bite is slow.

Chumming is not allowed, check the regulations to make sure.

Often times when I fish for catfish I chum with sweet corn or bread and then bait up with whatever I have chummed with. But I am fishing ponds in the day time so I couldn't answer your question for night fishing. I have heard catfish are more active at night and are usually very shallow when feeding. This is what I usually catch and release. I like using corn the best as I can use a circle hook.

LOL! Beat me to it!

I fish smaller ponds all the time and my experience is that they either are or aren't biting. Time of day really makes no difference. Normally if I don't get a bite within 30 or 45 minutes I should probably pack up and go somewhere else yet I never do that. My preferred baits are punch bait or cut perch or shad.

Never tried chumming. I caught 6 or so before it got really late even one on a Texas rigged power bait. First time catching a cat on a bass rig. After all the input here sounds like maybe I caught all the fish. Tried punch bait (first time) also chicken livers which always catch for me. Thanks for the help everyone.

BTW - Catfish will bite just about anything that a Bass will. I've caught them on top waters, rooter tails, spinner baits, crank baits and more. It all depends on how hungry they are and how close the bait is.
Chumming would be recommended. It might take a little while for them to show up, but they will.

One of my favorite ponds for catfish produces prodigiously between 10 PM and 3 AM, usually from right around the 4th of July, to about Labor Day, give or take a week. Chicken liver is usually the #1 go getter!

Maybe its just me, but remember, I am a "deep night" aficionado.

Rudy