Catfish fishing

Catfishing is probably the most exotic fishery in Lithuania. Targeted fishing for catfish can result in a catch that is bigger than the fisherman himself. Catfish are without any competition the biggest catch in our inland waters. Catfish are caught in three ways: bottom fishing, spinning and with a quok from a boat.

Bottom fishing for catfish

Bottom fishing catches the most catfish, but statistically more juvenile catfish - small catfish up to 3kg - are caught. Only the more experienced and patient fishermen find a way to lure the larger catfish with a bottom fishing rod. First of all, you need to find the right place, and it won't be the place that everyone knows where small catfish are good. You are unlikely to catch a serious catfish where it is full of small catfish. The chances of catching more serious catfish are best in the long pits of the Nemunas, not in localised holes behind dams. Large catfish like to stick to the bridge pilings, but bottom fishing is very difficult there because of the very high number of snags. The bottom rod must be strong enough, with a powerful reel and a thick braided shaft. The system should be as simple as possible - preferably a floating, rubber-coated, carp lead, a 1mm diameter mono leader and a powerful hook that can take a handful of nightcrawlers.

Catfishing with a spinning rod

Catfish are caught with a spinning rod, both by throwing and trolling. Shore angling is most often used in urban areas near bridges or in larger holes. The best fishing rod for this purpose is a 2.7-3m long rod up to 30-40g with a strong reel and a 0.18-0.25mm braided shaft. Baits are usually classic Relax Kopyta rubber lures or rattlinks. On the Nemunas, rubber lures are more popular, while on the Neris, rattliners are more popular.

Catfish are also targeted from bridges using a large float and a crank type wobbler. For this method, choose saltwater rods and reels, otherwise you will not keep the catfish.
Catfish are one of the favourite catches of river and pond trollers. They are trolled with deep crankbaits, purposefully 'carving' potential long holes. A hole is selected and swum through with different baits.

Catfish fishing with quahog

Catfishing with quahog is a very traditional method of attracting catfish. A special quahog makes a kind of champagne-bottle uncorking sound when its head pierces the water. This causes the catfish to rise from the surface to the middle layer of the water, where a meal served by the angler on a large hook awaits. Special short and very powerful catfish rods and strong multiplier reels with a braided shaft of 0.35-0.4 mm are used for this purpose.