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Do you like to catch catfish? Have you tried catching white catfish? Would you like to learn how to catch white catfish? White catfish are members of the bullhead catfish family. They can be found in fresh and brackish waters along the Atlantic and the Gulf coast from New York to Florida.
White catfish is a bottom feeder where they feed on crustaceans, crayfish, minnows, and other baitfish. They are identified by their forked tail a silver bluish color, and more than 20 anal fin rays. In this article, we will discuss how to catch white catfish, explaining the fishing methods, tips, and tricks, the fishing tackle, as well as the baits and lures.
Table of Contents
How To Catch White Catfish
1. Baitcasting
Baitcasting is one of the popular fishing methods that anglers use to catch white catfish as well as other fish species. When baitcasting, the bait is put on the line using a hook, and the line is cast into the water.
Baitcasting involves casting and retrieving until there is a bite. When this happens, the angler will set the hook at the right time and reel in the fish. Baitcasting is a good method for beginners who are learning how to catch white catfish.
2. Bottom Fishing
Bottom fishing is another fishing method used by anglers to catch white catfish. White catfish are bottom feeders where they prey on baitfish, crustaceans, and other marine life.
Bottom fishing involves getting your bait to the bottom or very close to get the fish to go for a bite. Bottom fishing is a popular fishing method used by many anglers who target fish that are found at the bottom.
3. Drift Fishing
Drift fishing is another fishing method that is very effective when fishing for white catfish and other species of fish. When drift fishing, the boat is moving by the current as you let the line drift in the water carrying the bait. The bait can be at any water depth, at the bottom, or somewhere in the water column.
4. Still Fishing
Still fishing is a simple yet effective fishing method in which the angler sits and drops the line with bait into the water. After dropping the mine into the water, all you do is just wait, nothing else. When there is a bite, you reel in the fish. Still fishing is ideal for beginners who are learning how to catch white catfish.
5. Spin Casting
Spin casting is similar to baitcasting except for the fishing gear that is used. Spinning reels are used when spin casting and use lighter lines in the 6- to 10-pound test class. Most spinning rods are about 6-10 feet long.
Best Baits For White Catfish
- Worms
Worms are one of the widely used baits when fishing for white catfish.
2. Shrimp
Shrimp are also used as bait for white catfish as they are bottom feeders where they feed on baitfish and crustaceans.
3. Cut Bait
Cut bait is very effective when fishing for white catfish.
4. Live Bait
Live bait is the most popular bait anglers use when fishing for white catfish.
5. Minnows
Minnows are also one of the best baits used when fishing for white catfish.
6. Menhaden
Menhaden works well as bait for white catfish.
7. Frogs
Frogs are also used as bait for white catfish by anglers.
8. Crayfish
Crayfish are also used as bait for white catfish as it preys on crustaceans and other baitfish found at the bottom.
9. Clam
Clams are also very effective as bait when fishing for white catfish.
10. Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers are also used as bait when fishing for white catfish.
Best Lures For White Catfish
- Jigs
White catfish are bottom feeders and jigs can be used to target them at the bottom.
2. Deep-diving crankbaits
Deep-diving crankbaits are lures that are used by anglers to target white catfish at the bottom.
White Catfish Fishing Tackle
You don’t need any high-tech fishing gear to target white catfish. Your regular fishing rods ranging from 7 to 11 feet with a 10-14 test line will work. Circle hooks with sizes ranging from 3/0 to 5/0 are a good choice when learning how to catch white catfish.
White Catfish vs Channel Catfish
| White Catfish | Channel Catfish | |
|---|---|---|
| Head |
Wider head; broad & more rounded head |
Not as wide as that of White catfish |
| Sides | No black spots on the sides | Black spots on the sides |
| Anal fin |
shorter and rounder than that of channel catfish |
rounded and longer than that of white catfish |
|
Number of rays on the anal fin |
19-23 rays | 24-30 rays |
| Size | smallest of the large North American catfish species | Larger than White Catfish |
White Catfish Fishing Tips
- White catfish are omnivores; they feed on anything from fish to insects to crustaceans.
2. White catfish can be found near muddy bottoms, logs, brush piles, holes, or other hiding places.
3. White catfish feed more during the daytime than other catfish.
4. White catfish may feed at night but are not as nocturnal as other catfish.
5. White catfish spawn in early summer when the water temperature is in the range of 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit in still or flowing waters near sand or gravel banks.
6. Dragging the hook along the muddy bottom will encourage the catfish to bite.
7. Always fish close to the bottom as that is where the white catfish will be found.
8. White catfish will fight hard once it is hooked.
9. The best times to fish for white catfish are at night, early morning, or late in the day.
10. Always carry a net when fishing for white catfish as it will help you catch it when you are reeling it in.
11. When you are reeling in the white catfish, do it slowly and try to tire it out. This will make it easier to reel it in. When learning how to catch white catfish, this is a good approach.
12. White catfish is a delicious fish with firm and white flesh.
13. White catfish like freshwater bodies such as ponds, streams, rivers, and lakes. You can also find them in drainages, reservoirs, and river backwaters.
14. A bottom rig with a 3/8-1/2 ounce sinker will work using live or cut bait when bottom fishing.
15. Circle hooks with sizes ranging from 3/0 to 5/0 will work when learning how to catch white catfish.
The Bottom Line
White catfish are members of the bullhead family that are found at the bottom preying on baitfish, crustaceans, and other marine life. They are found on the eastern coast of the United States from New York to Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. They fight hard when hooked are tasty, and are a target for anglers.
In this article, we discussed how to catch white catfish, the best baits and lures, the fishing tackle, and other information to help you catch more white catfish. You can also read how to catch channel catfish, how to catch blue catfish, how to catch flathead catfish, and catfishing tips.
