Catching catfish on a donk: from a boat or shore?

The variety of catfish fishing methods is a big plus for a novice fisherman. The mustachioed giant is caught using spinning rods, bottom tackle, on mugs and girders, and even with a float rod. An angler who is interested in catching this noble fish for the first time can choose the most convenient option for himself.

The fishing method of catching catfish on a donk deserves special attention. It is this method of catfish fishing that will be discussed in this article.

Tackle on Soma | How to catch catfish?

Fishing with an on-duty, everyday spinning rod is not a good idea. When choosing a tool for catfish from a boat, you should choose:

Ordinary onboard, durable fishing rod;

High-quality Spinning Rod, sharpened specifically for catfish;

Or just Hold the Cord in Your Hands;

Ordinary, self-catching fishing rods are also suitable, which are convenient to hold while waiting for a strike.

If you prefer Active Hunting, then give preference to Kwok. Despite its little popularity in our area, this principle of fishing has become widespread in the central and southern rivers of Europe.

Kwok is perfect for catching catfish in the deep southern rivers of our country.

Fishing for catfish from a boat on Kwok is suitable for companies, and less successful for lone fishermen. By simultaneously organizing catfish fishing from two or more boats, the chances of biting and finding catfish increase significantly.

Therefore, for a successful catfish hunt, you need to choose the right tactics, think through the route and cooperate with other fishermen. This method, more than others, ignites the excitement of the catfish and provokes it to bite. Therefore, a group of fishermen has an increased chance of catching catfish.

Top Popular Lures and Lures | Catching Catfish from a Boat on the Rivers

Having decided on the choice of fishing rod and fishing method, you should prepare the bait.

Catfish have a very developed Sense of Smell, so you need to try to ensure that the bait does not absorb foreign odors, as happens with Vibrotails and Twisters, but smells like fish.

Hence the following Conclusion:

It is better to attach a cut fish to the tackle, although you can use a whole one. Of course, it is possible to attract catfish with an artificial jig, but a natural piece of fish has a better chance of being noticed by this selective predator.

Fishing for Catfish on the Rivers has shown that the use of Homemade Tackle, made like a non-snagging type of foam rubber, is very successful. Only instead of a piece of foam rubber, a piece of small fish is attached. It is screwed with wire between the hooks.

You cannot take the first fish you come across for Bait. Catfish have their own preferences. He is not at all interested in fish such as ruff and perch.

Most of all, the catfish respects Asp; he likes the saberfish, white bream, roach and silver bream a little less. Although this is not accurate, and some catfish hunters line up the same types of fish - baits in a different sequence.

All these Lures are related to a dead fish carcass during stationary fishing. In the case of hunting from a boat, you can use any live fish that is available at the time of fishing. Each fisherman decides for himself what he is ready to offer catfish as bait.

You can, as in the popular English film about catfishing, use an asp. However, it is a good catch in itself, so it is better to leave this noble fish and fish for roach or silver bream.

In addition, this is the most suitable bait for attracting catfish in the lower reaches of the Volga - the place most popular among catfish hunting enthusiasts.

Preparing Bait for Catfish | How to Plant Correctly?

Properly prepared bait is half the success of catfish hunting. If you use silver bream or, as the locals also call it, tarashka, then you should choose a fish weighing about 200 grams;

From the back of the fish you need to cut a small piece 10-12 cm long and about 2 cm thick, maybe a little more. When making a cut, you should try not to touch the ridge;

Thread a piece of fish onto a tackle that has a powerful double hook. The first hook is inserted deep inside the bait, and the second is carefully attached to the side, pressing tightly against the piece of fish;

For greater reliability, the bait should be wrapped with thin wire on top.

If you make the bait larger, you will have to select a heavier sinker. Most often, when hunting for catfish, a head weighing 30 - 35 g is used, but this is if the fishing takes place in a relatively calm place at medium depth.

If the current is strong and the depths are significant, you need to use more powerful heads weighing more than 50 g. In this case, you should act carefully.

The chances of ambushing a catfish at great depths are higher than in medium waters, but not every fishing rod can withstand such a load without consequences.

Rigs and Baits for Catfish | Video

Catching Catfish from a Boat Weighing Over 30 Kg | Fisherman's Joy

In the 6th issue of “Russian Fishing” some aspects of catfishing were discussed. In this Series, much attention was paid to catching small and medium-sized catfish, which can be dealt with using light tackle.

Catching catfish from a boat, large in size, is a real success for the fisherman. Catfish weighing more than 30 kg are not found so often, and hunting for them requires special endurance.

No more than half a day was allotted for filming the story, and therefore the gear was selected in order to catch a small or medium-sized fish and, using this example, demonstrate all the features and tricks of catching catfish.

The plot examines in particular detail the moment of selecting tackle, casting and fishing. The right choice of tackle and equipment will not only speed up the bite, but also ensure an exciting and memorable hunt and competition.

This is what brings joy to the fisherman. A good fisherman respects his prey and always gives it its due.

Catfish baits

Catfish is a predatory fish and its diet is very wide.
It contains not only small fish, but also other aquatic inhabitants. Therefore, the following baits are used when fishing for catfish:

• grasshoppers;
• frogs;
• locusts;
• worms;
• mussels;
• squid;
• mole cricket;
• meat.

As you can see, the list of catchable baits is large, but on a reservoir you have to experiment in order to select a bait that works in the existing conditions.

Choosing a Rod for Catfish Fishing | Tips for Choosing a Stick

It is better to opt for a light rod - 3/4 ounce. This will give you the opportunity to experience those very pleasant sensations and tickle your nerves. You are guaranteed a thrill, even if the bait is caught by a not very large catfish.

With such a selection of bait and rod, the acceptable compliance is violated by more than one and a half times, and the bait together with the head weighs up to 40 g.

However, here such an advantage is very appropriate, since the cast will be done carefully and not very far. Sudden jerks and throws are not allowed.

Spinning for Catfish Catching from a Boat on Kwok | Video

Line on Soma | Which Line to Choose?

You need to choose a fishing line that is strong, but not too thick, so that it fits the thin rod. The ideal option is braiding, the strength of which is 10-12 kg.

When fishing with a thin rod, it is better not to use monofilament, as it is thicker and can withstand the same 12 kg. Plus, monofilament requires increasing the weight of the head, and this excess is no longer acceptable.

3 ways to improve your fish bite!

Over 15 years of active fishing, I have found many ways to improve the bite, and here are the most effective:

1. Bite activator . This pheromone additive attracts fish most strongly in cold and warm water. The Fish Hungry bite activator has proven itself to be excellent - Read more…

2. Tackle with increased sensitivity . You should first familiarize yourself with the features of using a particular type.

3. Pheromone baits . They attract the attention of fish, stimulate hunger and cause a schooling reflex, which allows you to collect a lot of fish in one place.

You can get the rest of the secrets of successful fishing for free by reading my other materials on the site.

3 ways to improve your fish bite!

Over 15 years of active fishing, I have found many ways to improve the bite, and here are the most effective:

1. Bite activator . This pheromone additive attracts fish most strongly in cold and warm water. The Fish Hungry bite activator has proven itself to be excellent - Read more…

2. Tackle with increased sensitivity . You should first familiarize yourself with the features of using a particular type.

3. Pheromone baits . They attract the attention of fish, stimulate hunger and cause a schooling reflex, which allows you to collect a lot of fish in one place.

You can get the rest of the secrets of successful fishing for free by reading my other materials on the site.

All this is true for those fishermen who go for catfish in order to experience the pleasure of the fishing process.

However, if the main goal of fishing is the size of the catch, then you need to select gear for a heavier category.

The rod should have a test weight of up to 1.5 - 2 ounces. You can use 30 lb line with it and choose a reel that suits it.

If extreme care is taken, 50 lb. cord can be used. If you choose a stronger fishing line, you will be able to catch catfish weighing more than 100 kg, but this is unlikely to be relevant for amateur fishing.

The reel can be selected to suit your taste. It is convenient to use both Multiplier and Inertialess here.

Of course, the half-sea “meat grinder” is practically in no way inferior to a classic baitcasting reel, however, the best reviews in the hunt for this predator were received by a strong and reliable baitcasting fishing rod with a Penn-965 reel.

Donka for catfish with your own hands

Catfish is the largest freshwater inhabitant of reservoirs. When fishing, it can offer decent resistance, and the whole struggle can end not in favor of the fisherman. Therefore, all elements of bottom equipment for catching catfish must have the necessary safety margin.

Rod

The best option for a “catfish” spinning rod is a composite plug with a test load of 250 grams. To cast a donkey from the shore, a whip 2.4 meters long will be enough. To cast tackle from a boat, a spinning rod with a length of 1.5 meters is quite enough.

Coil

An inertia-free reel with a small gear ratio and a reliable clutch is placed on the “catfish” rod. The capacity of the reel should not be less than 3000, and preferably 4000. At least 200 meters of cord should be wound around it so that it is possible to cast the line without forcing events when fishing for a serious trophy.

fishing line

As the main line, use a dark-colored monofilament line or a cord with a cross-section of 0.8 to 1.0 mm. Leashes can be knitted from a thinner monofilament thread with a diameter of 0.5 mm.

Hooks

Most often, no more than two single hooks are mounted on a bottom fishing rod for catching catfish. Doubles and tees are used less often. The owner of the river has an impressive mouth, so there is no need to waste time with hook numbers. For catching catfish weighing up to 10 kilograms, hooks with numbers 5.0-6.0 are suitable, for catching larger specimens from 10 kg. and more, you can attach hooks with numbers 9.0-11.0.

Sinker

The weight of the sinker for casting tackle from the shore or boat is selected depending on the strength of the current and fishing conditions. Usually its weight ranges from 150 to 300 grams.

Features of Catching Large Catfish | Subtleties You Need to Know

Both the 1st and 2nd Stages of catching this large predator have several serious nuances and differ significantly from hunting for other fish. It is more convenient and safer to fish from a boat, and a rubber flotation device is not suitable.

A real Metal or at least a Plastic Boat is required.

Of course, there is also a hunt for catfish on a rubber boat. However, when a fish bites and takes the boat in tow, it becomes obvious that a rubber boat is a risky thing in this matter.

Catching Catfish from a Boat is not an activity for those who like to fish alone. You definitely need to go hunting with a partner. A large, heavy catfish, hooked on a hook, is usually pressed to the bottom.

Here you will need a partner who can sit on the oars, because the boat will immediately begin to be carried away by the current of the river. It is necessary to take care of the length of the rope on which the anchor will be attached, because the depth of the fishing spot can reach 15 m.

The attachment point for the anchor and the boat should be reliable, but simple and can be untied with one free hand. After all, immediately after the bite begins, you will have to quickly weigh anchor. Therefore, you need to attach a visible buoy at the top of the rope.

It is better to cast the fishing rod closer to the river holes or directly into the depressions, this is where the catfish can most quickly grab the bait.

How to Make a Snap? Video

Where and at what time of year do you catch catfish?

Like any other fish, catfish have periods of activity when it moves around a body of water in search of food, but even at this time, pits and undercuts in which potential food accumulates become their favorite stops.

During periods after puberty, the catfish does not like sunlight and prefers deep areas with silty and sandy soil. In small rivers with weak currents, this fish hides in the grass, even if the thickets are not far from the shore. The catfish searches for and even digs underwater caves, rests in the pipes of hydraulic structures and leads a sedentary lifestyle.

The period at the end of summer and beginning of autumn is considered the most productive for fishing by somyatniks and they go to the rivers for their cherished dream in the form of a many-kilogram trophy. This is the time when the rains begin and the water in reservoirs becomes cloudy, and other representatives of the aquatic world become active before the first cold weather.

If the angler manages to determine the site of the catfish, then 3–5 trophy specimens can be caught from one hole.

When studying a reservoir in search of a promising place for catching catfish, pay attention to the points where:

• there are hydraulic structures, bridges and water pumping stations, with great depth and fast bottom current;
• at the bends of the river, where there are eddies of water, whirlpools and areas overgrown with grass;
• areas on the river with reverse flow, even if they are 5–10 meters from the shore;
• deep places in the main channel, or old channel of the river;
• there are perennial thickets of reeds, near which there are great depths;
• there are fishing platforms or old boat piers and there are pits.

Finding the right place for fishing is 70% of success in catfish fishing and this point needs to be given special attention.

Old-timers who have been fishing in the same sections of the river for many years know where the holes are and where it is necessary to look for catfish first. Just don’t forget that new promising places appear every season and it’s important to be careful to discover them.

If you have a boat and an echo sounder, the search task is simplified and even those fishermen who fish from the shore will definitely use the opportunity to use search technology. In its absence, a weight on a rope is used, with the help of which the river bottom is “tapped” for the presence of holes and undercuts.

Such a search takes more time and will require greater physical effort, but the reward in the form of trophy fish compensates for all losses.

On artificial reservoirs, the deepest places are near the dam, and that’s where you need to look for catfish holes and trophy fish. In May, the catfish finally “wakes up” after the winter cold and periodically goes out into shallow water in search of food. In places less than two meters deep, it is useless to find it, and this also applies to young animals. In July and August, catfish fishing from the shore is especially productive, although it can also be caught from a boat quite successfully.

The inconvenience of fishing from a boat is that you often have to wait a long time for a bite and you need to remain quiet so as not to spook the fish. Not everyone will like sitting in a boat for a long time and motionless, so it’s easier to catch a trophy on a coastal bottom. Having discovered catfish parking areas, you should place shore gear in a place where there is a convenient entry into the water, because landing a large catfish will require not only dexterity and skill, but also space.

Usually fishing is carried out with several donks in order to brighten up the wait for a bite and increase the chances of a good catch. In summer, catfish bite better at night, when they go hunting in search of prey. If you can find paths along which fish pass, then there is a high probability that they will appear there on subsequent nights, so it is important to remember the place of passage.

Both large and small catfish do not like the heat, from which they hide in every possible way, but during summer rain or windy weather the likelihood of being caught increases significantly. With sudden changes in temperature, cold weather or a drop in pressure, the catfish bite practically stops and if you manage to catch fish at such a time, then this is rather an exception to the rule.

Somovye Place | Where to look for Catfish?

One of the famous places on the Volga where fish take bait well and the bottom is quite clean and deep is Sedmaya Ognevka. The current here is very powerful, and the channel itself has overflowed widely.

Along the main channel of the river there is a deep hole, up to 14 m. On the right side of the river there is access to a depth of up to 7 m, where the flow noticeably slows down; even closer to the right bank there is low water, with a reverse flow of water.

In this place, the main bites occur in the recess, but if the length of the anchor rope does not allow you to position yourself there, you can stand at the exit and aim further into the pool.

In the shallows, bites also occur, but only for smaller individuals. You need to cast so that the bait passes through the hole or its dump.

To do this, the cast must be made higher to the side, so that after passing through the shallows, the bait begins to descend into the hole. In this case, it will reach the bottom only after a quarter of a minute. This time must be taken into account and careful attention must be observed.

You can start with short, frequent casts, trying to aim further and further. In this case, the bait will fall into the recess in different places, which increases the likelihood of the fish swallowing the bait.

Fishing technique

The question of how to catch a donk is very important. When fishing from the shore using this gear, you need to take into account some features:

1. After casting, the bait must fall into the area where the fish are supposed to be located.
2. It’s good if you manage to fit with your gear on the shallows not far from the hole. This will not only increase the bite, but also improve the chances of a successful outcome of the fight.
3. Fishing is usually done at night. Catfish do not like light and, as a rule, are more active at night. During the day, you need to prepare a place, sit comfortably, so that everything is at hand. For the rod you need to make stands, pick up a bell or other signaling device. For throwing, sticks and strong branches should be driven in.
4. The bites, especially from large catfish, are obvious and good. The fish usually handles the bait unceremoniously: it behaves impudently, if not “impudently”. Although each body of water may have its own peculiarities of bite.
5. It is advisable to catch large catfish together. This helps not only to act faster and without fuss, but also helps with fishing.
6. It is extremely important to maintain silence. Catfish are very sensitive to sounds, especially suspicious ones.

Catfish bite. How to Recognize that a Catfish Pecked?

Most often when catching a mustachioed river predator, this type of bite is encountered - a quick poke when reeling in during a short pause. Like when fishing for pike perch, but often more powerful.

You should strike sharply, after which the spinning rod curls into an arc, and the weight of the fish is fully felt. Catching catfish without hooking, when the bait is taken by the fish immediately after being poked. In this case, the bait will fall where it is needed, and there is no need to hook - the fish will land on its own.

Hooking is often necessary, since the catfish is a leisurely fish, and sometimes takes the baited meat, as if catching up with it, at this moment hooking is necessary.

As soon as the fish sits down, it does not stop immediately, but continues to swim forward for some time, this is immediately felt, and after a moment the attack of this predator begins.

An unexpected hook, which is called a “dead” hook, looks as if the bait suddenly wakes up. This happens infrequently and is associated with imperfect selection of gear or the inattention of the fisherman;

The wiring must be constantly monitored. If your rod has a low modulus or uses monofilament line, it is much more difficult to notice the bait sinking to the very bottom;

In this brief moment, a leisurely catfish can take the bait and lie down. Only having started reeling in with the goal of making another cast, the fisherman realizes that his hook unexpectedly hit the target.

Catching Catfish from a Boat on Kwok. Full version. Video

Fishing line for catfish

Despite the fact that not every catfish caught weighs 10 kilograms or more, reliable and durable gear is selected for catching this fish, and this also applies to the main fishing line.

Here the fisherman has to solve a difficult problem, because thick fishing lines with a large margin of safety can scare off cunning fish that are distrustful of all unfamiliar objects. If you take an inconspicuous fishing line of a smaller diameter, it will not withstand the jerks of a trophy fish and the tackle will break at the most inopportune moment.

As you know, the following are used as the basis for fishing tackle:

• monofilament lines;
• fluorocarbon fishing lines;
• braided cords (fishing lines).

The best solution for choosing a base for catfish tackle is a dark-colored braided fishing line. Braid has the highest strength among all types of fishing lines with a small diameter, so catfish tackle is knitted on braid. At the bottom, such a base looks natural, reminiscent of aquatic vegetation, and does not frighten wary fish.

It is clear that bright colors of braid are undesirable, because this unmasks the entire tackle. The stores sell four- and eight-strand braided fishing line, and the second option is preferable, although it is more expensive. The eight-strand braid has a round shape along its entire length and the weaving of the threads is denser, which means the breaking load is greater.

The braided reel indicates how many wires are in it, so when purchasing a base for a donkey, it is not difficult to make the right choice. The rigidity of the braid is also important, because soft material, when wet, becomes more tangled, knots and puffs appear.

So, as a basis for the catfish donka, we take a rigid braid with a diameter of 0.25 and above, and it will cope with all the tasks.

Important! After fishing, be sure to dry the braid, this will extend its service life and maintain the strength of the base.

The process of landing catfish after biting | The main thing is Patience

The behavior strategy after the fish has bitten depends greatly on your gear and the weight of the fish.

A Repp-965, a Banax ISO 2000 rod, or similar powerful gear makes it possible to start competing with catfish immediately, provided that the weight of the fish does not exceed a pound. With such equipment, there is no fear of experiencing defeat and losing gear.

If the catfish is larger, and the tackle is not so powerful, you will have to start a thoughtful and careful fight.

First, after making sure that the specimen is large, hurry to untie the anchor;

When the bottom is free and the supply of fishing line is sufficient, there is no point in holding the catfish tightly - it cannot escape.

There are exceptions:

For quok fishing, the length of the fishing line is twice the depth of the largest hole. In the described example, the reel should contain 150-200 m of fishing line with high reliability.

If the bottom is covered with snags, the catfish cannot be released. It must be braked smoothly and restrained, which is not easy.

The catfish is a decent fish, even a small specimen, once hooked, can suddenly rush into shelter under a snag and it will not be easy to fish it out. That is why it is important to notice the bite in time and tighten the clutch more than usual. This will make it possible to stop the catfish without delay.

The catfish, leading the fisherman, does not make particularly tricky maneuvers, but it has a large mass and therefore it is not easy to compete with this strong fish. His endurance and tenacity delay the fishing process.

At the same time, you need to be patient, because the fleshy lip of the catfish usually penetrates the hook deeply, and it can be very difficult for the fish to break free, so there are practically no failures.

If the bottom is clean, catching catfish is a matter of time. You should remain calm and confidently hold the rod, ready for battle.

Choosing gear

Bottom tackle in skillful hands is a catchy tool, so it is often used when catching catfish. At the same time, the “donka” is an inexpensive device, which makes it very accessible. If we compare it with a feeder, we can note that about one dozen bottom gear is bought for this price.

There are two main types of “donoks”:

1. With a rod.
2. A bait that does not have a rod.

The design option that the rod has can be characterized as follows:

• For beginners, a donka with a rod is ideal;
• you should pay attention to the fact that large specimens can have a very large weight, which the fishing rod must correspond to;
• You also need to remember that the reel and line are selected based on the possible weight of the fish. If they do not match the loads, then you will not be able to catch large fish.

Often the tackle is equipped with a monofilament fishing line, the thickness of which should be selected in the range from 0.5 to 1 millimeter. The braid can be selected within the range of 0.5 to .8 millimeters. When choosing a leash, you should pay attention to the smaller diameter.

The weight of the sinker used can vary from 100 to 150 grams. The large weight of the cargo and other aspects of the gear used determine that the bait is delivered to the fishing site by boat.

The large weight of the potential catch suggests that conventional hooks will lead to the fish breaking off. The risk of a river giant descending can be significantly reduced by using two hooks.

If catfish fishing takes place on a river without the need for long-distance casting of bait, ordinary bottom gear is used, which many call casting. Its features include:

1. The gear is inexpensive and simple.
2. Despite the simplicity of the design, you need to have certain skills to use it. If you handle it without due care, there is a possibility of overlaps and tangling.

An important point is that after throwing the bait, the donka is tied to a tree or a driven stake on the shore.

Quite often a nylon thread is used as a fishing line, and a fishing line with a diameter of 0.5 to 0.8 millimeters is used as a leash. A single, double or triple hook, which is made of durable metal, is attached to the created leash. The size of the sting is selected in accordance with the weight of the catfish being caught.

Home Tactics | Advice from Professionals

Don't let the catfish rest, it can lie deep at the bottom and here its patience is inexhaustible. Strong tension on the fishing line and rhythmic tapping on the rod will help to avoid getting stuck;

Try to bring the fish to a shallower part of the river, closer to the shore, it will be easier to catch catfish here.

At first glance, it seems that Fishing for Catfish is the preserve of select fishing professionals, however, this is not so. In many ways, the fisherman’s intuition, multiplied by patience and theory, is decisive.

In addition, all the efforts put in give multiple returns in the form of satisfaction from competition with a worthy opponent, a resident of the cold, dark depths. Happy biting!