First Catfish of the Season Last Night

Caught my first catfish of the season last night. Channel cat, probably six pounds give or take, on cut shad I netted that morning.

Not a monster by any stretch. But man, that first hard pull of the year always gets me. Reminded me why I sit on a bank in the dark with mosquitoes for company. Night fishing just hits different.

Simple Setup

Circle hook, split shot, fresh cut bait. Nothing fancy at all. Set the rod in a holder and waited. That’s catfishing — patience wins every time with these fish. Always has, always will.

Next trip I’m going after flatheads. Got a spot I’ve been eyeing since last fall. Stay tuned for how that goes.

Dale Hawkins

Dale Hawkins

Author & Expert

Dale Hawkins has been fishing freshwater and saltwater for over 30 years across North America. A former competitive bass angler and licensed guide, he now writes about fishing techniques, gear reviews, and finding the best fishing spots. Dale is a Bassmaster Federation member and holds multiple state fishing records.

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