Catfish Camp
Your home base for channel, blue, and flathead catfish intelligence. Heavy gear, big baits, and nighttime bends — locked to catfish from here on out.
Proven Techniques Catfish
Drift-Rigging Cut Bait
Santee-style drift rigs over river-channel flats — the deadliest trophy blue-cat technique.
Learn more →Anchored Bottom Rigs
Three-way swivels with cut skipjack — lockdown tactic on tailwater structure for blues and channels.
Learn more →Live Bluegill for Flatheads
Free-lined live bluegill around submerged timber — the only way to consistently target flatheads.
Learn more →Jug Fishing
Free-floating or anchored jug lines baited with cut shad — classic summer-night catfish technique.
Learn more →Stinkbait Dip Worms
Channel-cat specialty — ribbed dip worms treated with prepared bait dipped in punch bait.
Learn more →Trotlines & Limblines
Where legal — classic old-school methods for 24-hour passive trophy catfish harvest.
Learn more →On The Bank: Tools of the Trade
Catfish gear has to survive abuse. A 7'6" medium-heavy to heavy catfish rod paired with a baitcasting reel spooled with 30-50 lb braid handles flatheads pulling for brush without giving up.
Terminal tackle is where the battle is won or lost. Carry a supply of 5/0-8/0 circle hooks for livebait, a jar or two of dip bait with sponge hooks for channel cats, and a box of no-roll and slinky weights so bait stays put in current.
Items above are widely available at Bass Pro Shops and other major fishing retailers.
Recommended Gear Bass Pro
Seasonal Pattern
Notable Catfish Waters
James River
Tidal blue-cat factory with fish regularly exceeding 80 pounds — trophy capital of the East.
Wheeler Reservoir
Tennessee River impoundment with massive blue catfish and productive drift-rig flats.
Red River
Channel and blue cat super-fishery, famous for 50+ pound blues and eating-size channels.
Santee Cooper
Birthplace of the Santee drift rig — multiple state-record blue catfish on these waters.
Mississippi River (Lower)
Endless blue-cat structure; commercial and rod-and-reel anglers battle for giants year-round.
Community-recommended. Always check local regulations, seasons, and access rules before fishing.