Rod & Reel Combos
Ugly Stik Catfish Special Combo
A stout, long rod with a large reel for heavy sinkers and big cats.
Check PriceSpecies / Blue Catfish
Catfish
Blue Catfish Fishing
The largest North American catfish, common in big Southern and Midwestern rivers and reservoirs. Trophy blues often come in winter on cut shad.
Best Months: Nov to Mar
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Plan by Month
Best Flies, Lures & Bait for Blue Catfish
Month
2 picks for October.
Live Minnows 1 to 3 in
BaitLive Bait · Live shad or skipjack.
Cut Shad Chunk or fillet
BaitNatural Bait · Fresh is best.
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Rod & Reel
Blue Catfish Setup
Blue Catfish
Spin / Cast 7.5 to 8 ft medium-heavy casting rod, 5000 to 6500 levelwind reel, 30 to 50 lb line, 7/0 to 8/0 circle hooks.
The US
Where to Catch Blue Catfish
Lakes & Reservoirs · Alabama
Wheeler Lake
A Tennessee River impoundment with ledges that hold bass and trophy blue catfish.
Smallmouth Bass · Largemouth Bass · Blue Catfish
Lakes & Reservoirs · Kentucky
Kentucky Lake
One of the largest man-made lakes in the East with famous ledge bass fishing and crappie.
Largemouth Bass · Crappie · Blue Catfish
Lakes & Reservoirs · Oklahoma
Lake Texoma
A Red River reservoir on the Texas line and one of the few lakes where stripers reproduce naturally.
Striped Bass · Blue Catfish · Largemouth Bass
Lakes & Reservoirs · South Carolina
Santee Cooper Lakes
Lakes Marion and Moultrie, known for trophy blue catfish and landlocked stripers.
Blue Catfish · Striped Bass · Crappie
Lakes & Reservoirs · Tennessee
Pickwick Lake
A Tennessee River lake on the Alabama and Mississippi line famous for smallmouth.
Smallmouth Bass · Largemouth Bass · Blue Catfish
Rivers & Streams · Virginia
James River
Smallmouth in the upper river and trophy blue catfish in the tidal James near Richmond.
Smallmouth Bass · Blue Catfish
Recommended
Gear for Blue Catfish
Terminal Tackle
Gamakatsu Circle Hooks
Circle hooks set themselves in the corner of the mouth and make release easy.
Check PriceTerminal Tackle
Egg Sinkers and Swivels
Egg sinkers, swivels, and beads for slip-sinker and Carolina rigs.
Check Price