Blue catfish are among the largest species of game fish in the United States. Although they resemble the smaller channel catfish, with a blueish white color and similar body shape, channel cats rarely reach 10 lbs. Blue catfish, however, are somewhat stockier in the body, often reaching weights exceeding 75 lbs. with some specimens weighing in at more than 100 lbs. Fishing for these big fish requires heavy-duty equipment, determination and natural, preferably live, baits.
Feeding Habits
Blue catfish rely almost exclusively on their ability to detect scent in the water to find food. They can find items at great distances and target the location with their barbels, the whiskers at the corners of their mouths. To attract blue catfish, select a natural bait that has a lot of scent.
Bait
Unlike other some other species of catfish that will take stinkbaits, dough baits or chicken livers, blue catfish are more predatory, preferring live bait. This includes large earthworms, shrimp, crawfish and cut bait. For the really big fish, try whole bait fish--such as shiners, shad, sucker fish or herring--fished either dead or alive.
Gear
For smaller blue catfish, a light to medium spinning or bait casting setup with 8-lb. to 10-lb. test weight line will do well for anything less than 10 lbs. For bigger fish, especially those weighing more than 20 lbs, a trolling or bait casting rod and reel that is medium-heavy to heavy duty for fresh water is best. Load this rig with 20-lb. to 40-lb. test fishing line.
Rigging
A bottom rig is essential for catching blue catfish. To construct a bottom rig, thread your main line through a 1-oz. to 2-oz. egg sinker and tie it to a snap swivel. Tie a 2-foot to 3-foot leader to the other end of the swivel and a 1/0 to 3/0 hook onto the end of the leader, depending on the size of catfish you are targeting. Bait your hook, cast out and reel up the slack. Wait patiently for a blue catfish to strike, keeping an eye on the end of your rod to start twitching as an indicator a fish is on.
Locations
Though you can catch little blue catfish in smaller ponds and streams, the best locations for big blues are in large lakes and rivers. Blue catfish grow large, and these big fish need an environment that provides a lot of food to thrive. Focusing on these locations provides a greater opportunity for hooking into a truly big blue catfish. Blue catfish cruise the bottom regions of these larger bodies of water finding food and, hopefully, your bait.
Landing a Fish
When you hook into a big blue catfish, set the hook with several good yanks. Set your drag and play the fish, allowing it to take as much line from your reel as it wants without letting it up against anything that can break your line. Once the fish starts to tire, crank it in. Use a large net to make landing your blue catfish easier.
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