So, the experts on this board say to use shad or cut perch to catch larger catfish.

Can you guys post some detail on how to present that?
1. Do you use larger circle hooks? More standard hooks -- or still treble hooks?

2. If you litertally mean carving the fish into chunks, do you just run the hook through the chunk?

3. Is it better to fish on the bottom or use a slip float and float it off the bottom?

4. Do you have to worry about hiding the hook in the chunk of meat?

thanks

--gF

I use number 4 kahle hook and I cut my bait into chunks at an angle because I drift fish and the bait doesnt twist as much. Both bottom and slip float work. When I bottom fish I use a small split shot for weight and set the clickers on my reals. I like to drift fish you cover lots of water and catch a fair amount of fish. The ones you catch will be eating size most of the time. I dont have much problems with the dinks when I drift fish. Dont hide the hook. Catfish dont care. Leave the hook point exposed for good hook sets. Im no pro but thats what works for me. Good luck.

Sounds cool Bhunt - can you clarify what you mean by drift fishing? Do you literally just toss it out there with no weight or a float and let it meander? Is this more for river fishing where there is a current to move it along?

I let the boat blow in the wind. If the wind is to high you will have to use a drift sock. You can get them at Academy and sometimes when the wind is blowing real hard you will need more thamn one. I use a 1 once long slinder weigt and than put a swivel on and make a 2 foot leader with a small cigar float on it and a 4/0 kahle hook. This is also like a caroline rig for bass fishing a worm. I throw out the line aprox 50-100 feet and let it sink to the bottom and than just let it drag on bottom with the boat moving in the wind. Usually the slower your boat moves in the wind the better I do. You will get hung up fishing this way but the cigar float keeps the bait of the bottom and helps prevent some hang ups.

Ever break a rod or have one fly out of the rod holder when you get hung up while drifting? I've been meaning to try it but I'm afraid of what will happen if I get hung up.

You shouldn't ever break a rod or have one fly out of the boat while drifting. If the wind is that stong you might need to find a protected cove to drift in or use a drift sock like someone said. I usually use 20# line as it will straighten out a hook and not be too strong where I can't break it if I need to.

There are many tricks to use and I'm sure others have their methods. It's mainly what works for you on your particular lake, after you've got some experience. I'd suggest setting the drag to slip if you have a lot of snags where you drift. Also a lighter weight hook that will straighten out if you should snag. Another trick would be a small float attached about 8" above the hook on the leader between the hook and weight. Just make sure you are aware of the drag setting for fighting the fish.
On less windy days you can free line with just a hook and no weight at all, or use just a very small split shot above the hook. The stronger the wind the heavier the weight would be a pretty good rule.

CatDaddy, you won't have the problem you mention, if you'll remember to ease up on the drag a bit. A drag should never be sdjusted so tight that it will break a rod, or in my case rod holder.

I was anchored one day with shad down and had either a big cat, or a big gator gar pull one of my rods so hard it snapped one of those Atwood rod holders off. My bad.

GeekFish:

1. As mentioned 4/0 or even larger Kahles.

2. There are several methods. Depends on size of your shad. At a minimum chop them in half from the dorsal through the guts. The head is always the best IMHO.

3. BOTH

4. Never

Geek, Good info above...
I myself prefer Kahkle hooks but have Circle hooks,J hooks and Trebble hooks all have there applications.
Here are some good links on Catfish tips and basics...you might read and enjoy.
I ve fished for over 35 years now and thought I knew a little about catfishing but heck its really a new science and growing society of sorts these days and these guys have some good handy useful information....
http://www.catfishing.tv/
http://www.whiskerkitty.com/frameset.html

I also recommend the Catching Catfish Book, usually in stock at the local academy outddors or can be had from amazon.com following link...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/det...ks&n=507846

I didn't realize that setting the drag was such a crucial element of drifting. I'm anxious to get out there and try it now. Thanks for the tips guys!

CatCaddy, my best and favorite boat owning fishing buddy basicaly drifts fish 90% of the time and we simply use our Ambassadors Baitcast reels with bait click on and just enough drag set, say guessing about 20 or 30 percent the tensile/test of the line.
Easy to set drag on the ambassadors if needed.
Really works well and he a has it down to an art.
Before I got my two 6500s I had some large spining reels that a I set the drag on and used circle hooks,made for good set/fish trap.
Ive never broke a rod but thoguht I was going to break an 8ft fiberglaass rod once.At first I couldnt get the dang thing out of the rod holder,but I fianlly got the release on and it spooled before the fella,not my good fishing buddy, finally heard me tell him after 3 times I was snagged/anchored in trouble!
Havent went back with that fella since.

Having proper rods and good rod holders is essential to drifting.

If you have good holders, good rods and properly set drags there is not a problem.

I have broken some rods but they were el cheapo academy brand tournament choice rods. I cracked 7 of em in one day one time but luckily all on fish and luckily academy gave me my money back.

For your rod holders check out www.beereadyllc.om these are the best there is out there.

Getting hung up is a matter of fishing, regardless of how your fishing. Just deal with it and move on.

www.txcatfishguide.com

The way I always looked at it is if your not getting hung up your probly not fishing were the cats are.

Tried cutting up a blue gill today and putting it on a #4/0 circle hook---thinking if I did get anything, since it was such a massive hook, it would have to be a decent sized cat.

WRONG!!

Before I lost the rig in the rocks, I caught an aggresive channel cat the was not even keepr size I guess I will get some use out of those hooks, I just need a better rod to fling that puppy into deeper water during the day, yah?

Geekfish, I went fishing one day last year with the old boy who caught old "Splash" up here on Texoma a couple of years back.

I was laughing at his 8/0 to 10/0 monster hooks he had on. I'll be honest....Biggest hooks I ever saw used in fresh water.

He let me know right quick he had caught many a good eating size fork tail on those big hooks. And, this way he doesn't have to worry about breaking a hook if a battle with "Splash II" were to ever come along.

How did you break the Academy TC Rods? I have 14 of them and have only had the eye break on one of them. I've stepped on them, dropped em, pulled in big fish, and have got hung up and pulled my boat to the stump with them.....in my opinion they are great rods...and the fact that academy will replace them without question is awesome.