Catfish

[Mally]

UK fishing Tackle, do you mean the place at Kirton, Willow bank fisheries? Just wondering because I was thining about having a go for a cat and as such went to have a look round the fishery. When I got back to the car having had a look round I was approched by a Man from across the car park with a very determined look about him. The conversation went somthing like this,

 

Said man: Can I help you (aggressive manner)

 

Me: Not really, I've just been for a look round the ponds because I was thinking about coming and fishing.

 

Man: Well there my ponds, i'm the owner.

 

Me: Ok.

 

Man: Why didn't you come and ask me.

 

Me: Didn't know I needed two, I was only having a look round.

 

Man: Its not a f**king park you know.

 

Me: I know it not it's a fishery.

 

At which I got back into my car and drove off. Iff he thinks I will ever be going back to his fishery again then he is stupid. I dont know how he thinks he can talk to his prospective customers like that. Since then I have spoken to other people about him and they have all said he is an ar*ehole. Not only that, all his fish are bought in from abroard and on top of that the lakes are perfect rectangles of about half an acre and uniform depth I should think. Its a long time since I have seen anywhere so un-inspireing. Its would be like fishing in a (very dirty) goldfish bowl.

[Dick Dastardly]

Hi Dan.Over the relatively short 17 years that I have fished for cats I can definately say the "best" bait/rig/tactics for cats greatly depends on the type of water you are fishing.

 

Its a massive subject but I will try and keep it short.

 

BAITS

 

Best all round bait is a live carp or tench.Only problem is if there are a lot of pike in the water.They are selective on most waters and on some the only viable bait.

 

Leeches.A good alternative if the use of live fish is either banned or against your principles.Cats dont actually like them! (they can spit them out very quickly) general belief is that the cats are attracted to them by the vibrations they make,mistaking them for a fish in distress.Can be brought mail order in this country.

 

Dead fish.Not as good as lives but a good bait that can be fished whole ,in halves,sections etc.Any fresh or sea fish will do.Same problems as lives if pike present.

 

Squid.Pretty universal bail.Only ever had a problem with pike when retrieving but others have had pike pick them up static.

 

Liver.Chunks of raw liver dripping with blood are good.I prefer Ox liver as it has a stronger smell.

 

Lobworms.Great bait but lots of problems with pick ups from other fish if present.

 

Luncheon meat/Boillies/Pellets.Good if you can get them feeding on them or they are used a lot by other anglers targetting other species.But obviously recieves attention from all other fish.

 

TACTICS/RIGS

 

On "natural" waters the live definately reigns supreme.It is only in recent years with the use (and mass introduction) of pellets that cats have been caught on anything else from the big European rivers.The simple "Polyball Rig" is a good bnasic live bait rig-

 

http://www.anglers-net.co.uk/rigs/specialist.htm

 

For deads/fish sections/squid/meat I prefer to keep the set up as resistance free as possible and either freeline or use a free running ledger rig if fishing further out.

 

For leeches-

 

http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/ubb/ultimatebb...t=001790#000021

 

If a water is heavily carp fished and gets a regular dosing of boillies or pellets then the cats can soon switch on to them. Only problem is they arnt selective and you will obviously have to put up with catching carp etc as well! Best fished on any of the modern self pricking/hooking rigs.

 

Tackle wise here in the UK standard carp gear is more than enough.I would though recommend using a hook length of Kryston Qwik Silver,35lb is enough.You may land cats on normal braids/monos etc but eventually you will lose one through its pads wearing through the hook length.Why risk it?

[Norfolkdan]

Cheers budgie

 

No dead or live baits allowed. It's a specimen lake, mainly with carp so I guess they'll be switched on to boilies.

 

May try liver though