Aug 28 2008
Catfish Fishing in Downed Trees, Are You Crazy?
Most anglers would say I am crazy to be catfish fishing in trees but that is where one species of catfish like to hang out. Channel catfish love trees. They provide a protected location from which they can hide and hunt.
The best trees are in locations that allow catfish easy movement between shallow and deep water. Look for fallen and flooded trees along channel drop-offs, underwater humps and holes, the edges of shallow flats and other fast-breaking structure. Other trees may hold cats, too, but these are among the best.
Found your location? Now it is time to gear up. Heavy line and tackle are a must for this type of fishing. Use braided line - 50-pound-test or heavier - and a long, stout rod. You will have to have a strong line to pull these cats out of the tree and the protection it provides.
My favorite bait for these channel catfish is cut bait. Big cats love cut bait and big cats are what I am after. Cut baits are also a little less likely to get caught in the tree. I use a 5/0 circle hook with no sinker unless the current is strong. My rig also has a slip bobber. This allows me to place the bait exactly where I want it.
Now you need to get right up in there, as close as you can to the tree, and carefully drop your bait into an opening. You can catch nice catfish along the outer edges of the tree but the big cats will be deep into the tree guarding the best locations. You have to put the bait right in front of them.
When they take the bait, react immediately, setting the hook hard and reeling like crazy. You have to pull the cat out of cover immediately or it will tie you up in the tree. If he does that you have lost. This is no time for finesse and is why heavy tackle is so important.
