The catfish is often one of the prized catches for any angler, though catching one of these big fish is easier said than done. With catfish, the best beginners’ catfish gear doesn’t involve a lot of bells and whistles. The best catfish tackle setup consists of a few key components.
The specific gear you will need to successfully fish for catfish will depend on the species of catfish in the area. However, some essentials usually work for any kind of catfish. Too much choice and incorrectly marketed products can cost you way too much money that doesn’t lead to any catfish.
These essentials can help you build a small but effective tackle box that’ll serve you well as you’re on your way to becoming an expert catfisher.
Fishing Line
Your fishing line choice is an important one because catfish can be heavy. The last thing you want is your line to snap as you’re reeling in a great catch. A trusty monofilament fishing line can withstand the weight of a big catch as you’re reeling it in.
Even better is one with high visibility, as they make it easier for you to see where your line is under the water. A fishing rod of quality construction is ideal for fishing for catfish, as a flimsy rod may buckle under pressure as well.
- Extreme fighting power for big game fish
- Super strong incredible strength for confidence and control
- Shock resistant controlled stretch adds fighting power
- Incredible strength for confidence and control
- Shock resistant – Controlled stretch adds fighting power
- MAXIMUM INVISIBILITY: Fabricated for maximum invisibility, strength and castability on all types of fishing reels
- DURABLE & SMOOTH: Made of formulated nylon material, Cajun Line is incredibly durable and provides strong knots. This smooth cast monofilament fishing line is designed to come off the spool smoothly for consistently long and accurate casts
- LOW-VIS RAGIN’ RED COLOR: The Low-Vis Ragin’ Red color of Cajun Line is visible to the angler, but nearly invisible to fish for a believable presentation of bait
- SPECIFICATIONS: Includes 1 spool of 450-yard, 30-pound tested and 0.023-inch average diameter monofilament fishing line
- TRUSTED: Since 1949, Zebco has been inviting people to explore the outdoors. Zebco products are warranted for a period of (1) year from date of original retail purchase against defects in workmanship and/or materials
- Tough Fighting strength for trophy catfish
- Super shock strength – Controlled stretch adds Fighting power
- Abrasion resistant – tough against rough or sharp objects
- Hi visibility – Fluoresces in sunlight or in black light for night fishing
- Manageable – ideal for long or short casts
Tackle
The choices for tackle and all its accompaniments can be overwhelming, especially when you’re just starting to learn how to fish. Regarding fishing for catfish, you need a few key components for the tackle.
Trophy catfish tackle will usually be larger-sized tackle. Below is a list of great starter kits for catfish fishing.
- INSIDE EACH ELITE MULTI-SPECIES BOX: Each Mystery Tackle Box ELITE Multi-Species contains about $60 retail value of the best quality fishing lures targeting freshwater Bass, Panfish and Catfish. This includes hardbaits, skirted jigs and spinnerbaits, soft plastics and terminal tackle (8-9 items).
- EXCLUSIVE PRODUCTS: Designed for freshwater Bass, Panfish, and Catfish, you’ll get exclusive and limited edition fishing products inside each Mystery Tackle Box ELITE.
- EXPERT CONTENT: Tips, tricks, and instructions to learn new techniques and help you catch more fish.
- IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS: We know a thing or two about packing a box full of fish-magnets. We’ve been doing it since 2012. Rip this fishin’ kit open and start discovering new fishing lures & techniques to up your angling game!
- BEST FISHING GIFT: Makes a great last minute gift for the angler in your life!
- INSIDE EACH MTB PRO MULTI-SPECIES BOX: Each Mystery Tackle Box PRO Multi-Species fishing kit contains about $40 retail value of the best quality fishing lures targeting freshwater Bass, Panfish and Catfish. This includes a variety of hardbaits, soft plastics and terminal tackle (6-7 items).
- EXCLUSIVE PRODUCTS: Designed for freshwater bass, panfish and catfish, you’ll get top named brands as well as exclusive and limited edition fishing products inside each MTB PRO Multi-Species fishing kit.
- EXPERT CONTENT: Tips, tricks, and instructions to learn new techniques and help you catch more fish. Perfect for kids and adults of any age from beginners to avid anglers.
- IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS: We know a thing or two about packing a box full of fish-magnets. We’ve been doing it since 2012. Rip this fishin’ kit open and start discovering new fishing lures & techniques to up your angling game!
- BEST FISHING GIFT: Makes a great last minute gift for the angler in your life!
- Funny catfishing tackle and fisherman apparel for channel catfish fishing with boilies or other baits.
- This fisherman joke outfit about being a channel catfish hunter and fishing enthusiast will be the perfect advertising that you are a fun and exciting person to be around.
- 8.5 oz, Classic fit, Twill-taped neck
The Best Catfish Bait
You have a few options for bait to lure in your desired catch. Stink baits work well with catfish since they’re cheesy and delicious to these fish. They come in different flavors and consistency.
We recommend you read our article, The Ultimate Guide to the Best Catfish Bait, which overviews the different types of bait available for catfish fisherman and how effective they at catching catfish.
- New formula is 185 percent stronger
- Pre-formed for quick and easy Rigging
- 1 1/2 times better than the leading competitor
- Super-sticky formula sticks to your hook without the need of cloth, sponges or metal coils to hold it on
- A tried and true producer for monster catfish
- Potent scent disperses in water, drawing in catfish from far around
Hooks
You’ll need to opt for sharp hooks to get a good handle on a catfish. They have thick mouths, and a hook that is too small or too dull will not be able to keep a catfish on your line for very long. Treble hooks are a good option for many species of catfish, and they come in various sizes.
Kahle hooks are another good option for many catfish, such as channel catfish, often found throughout the United States. For big catfish like blue catfish, a circle hook will be your best bet to get a secure hold.
It’s a good idea to throw some needle nose pliers in your tackle box or a bag because getting these hooks out of a catfish’s mouth can be very difficult.
- 150PCS value pack fishing hooks
- Assortment circle hooks for all sizes of fresh or salt fishery- size:#1 1/0 2/0 3/0 4/0 5/0 6/0 8/0
- Wide use fishing equipment for bass, walleye,trout, salmon, sunfish, channel catfish, blue catfish, and flathead catfish.
- Special sharp barb, offset barb head, special barb design, ensure that the hook point in the corner of the fish mouth rolling, reduce the mortality of fish.
- 30pcs for size #1, 1/0 and 20pcs for each 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 10pcs for 5/0, 6/0, 8/0, 150pcs/box in total. 8 different sizes are well assorted in a reusable ultra hard plastic box.
- What You Get: 180Pcs saltwater circle hooks neatly separated by 6 sizes (50pcs for each size 1/0 and 2/0, 20pcs for each 3/0, 4/0, 5/0, 6/0) and 5pcs fishing clips, all in a reusable box. A good selection of sizes can meet your needs.
- Versatile Fishing Clips: Stainless steel fishing clips designed for easier lures, rigs, leaders changing, many various lure types match.
- Saltwater/Freshwater Fishing Hook: Octopus circle hooks are effective to catch catfish, bass, trout, walleye, salmon, perch. Must-have fishing hooks for freshwater and saltwater fishing.
- Catch and Release: The inward bending hook tip and offset point help hook the fish in the lip or mouth, less gut hooked fishes and bleeding.
- Reliable and Trusted: Quality steel forged makes the fishing hooks solid and tough to catch some good sized fish. No escape, no bending.
- 13 Sizes Circle Hook: 13 sizes – 6#, 4#, 2#, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0, 6/0, 7/0, 8/0, 9/0, 10/0 circle hooks, small to large catfish hooks geared for most fishes in freshwater and saltwater.
- Versatile Circle Fishing Hooks: Circle Hooks is believed to be popular and effective fishing hooks for landing catfish, bass, trout, walleye, striper, musky, crappie, salmon, perch, panfish, pike, blue, redfish, blackfish, snakehead, halibut, snook, jacks.
- Catch and Release Catfishing Hooks: Octopus circle hooks features wide gap, closed eye，inward bending hook tip, aims for hooking in the corner of the fish’s mouth or lip and less damage.
- Fish Hooks Saltwater: Reliable forged saltwater hooks can maintain good shape in saltwater fish battles, no breaking or straightening out.
- Saltwater Circle Hooks: Commonly uses with live baits, shrimps, baitfish to catch big game fishes.
Catfish Rigs
If you want to set up a catfish rig, there are a few necessary items in your arsenal to set up the best rig. You’ll need to have some swivels, and either a ball-bearing swivel or a barrel swivel is best. A sinker slide is also recommended since you can change the weight easily without having to set everything up again.
It’s also advised to have foam peg floats in your tackle box, as this help keep the bait in the appropriate position to lure in catfish. Having some sinker bumpers in your tackle box just in case you’re fishing in some currents is also suggested to avoid having your line break.
- EFFICIENT CATFISH FLOAT RIG: As one of the most popular catfish fishing rigs, the catfish santee rig is famous for its ability to stimulate all the senses (not just scent) of the catfish to trigger strikes. Through the combination of hook, float, rattle, bead, lure, sinker, snap, swivel, and leader, the santee rig for catfish seduce big fish using smell, vision, sound and vibration, lead to more hits and harder hook ups.
- RATTLING CATFISH EVA FLOAT: An inline peg float used on catfish rigs helps lift the bait off the bottom out of snags and into the line of sight of catfish. Rattling float is deliberately designed to make noise and vibration, attracting the attention of target fish in more directions. Perfect match with the soft leader wire to realize the perfect display of the bait. Made of EVA foam, the fishing catfish float has strong extrusion resistance, water repellency and corrosion resistance.
- RIGS for FISHING BIG FISH: The pre-rigged high carbon steel catfish circle hook with higher hardness, thicker and stronger tension than the ordinary hook. Work with big snap and premium soft steel wire, the rattling catfish float rig is capable of withstanding up to 65lb of pulling force. Flexible swivel connection design preventing the current or action of catfish rigs from twisting the main line.
- GREAT FOR CATFISH FISHING: The Santee rig is a versatile fishing bait rig that can be used for all types of big catfish and all catfishing techniques. Must be an excellent choice for fishing channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish,etc in lakes or rivers. Great for drift fishing and trolling fishing as well and can be used when fishing from a boat or from the shore. A must catfishing tackle bait rig for your catfishing travel.
- EASY TO ASSEMBLE AND USE: Package included: 4PCS. 2sizes: float size: 2.5in,3in. TEST: 65lb. THKFISH catfish float rigs contains pre-rigged hook, rattle float, soft leader wire, swivel, snap, just bait your hooks, and rig your sinker according to the tide, then you are ready to fish.. It’s quickly and conveniently. If you have any problem, please contact our customer support and we will reply you within 24 hours.
- Specifications:3pcs Frog、Demon Snake、Black Shiner,catfish rattling line floats,each catfish rig floats comes with 1×7 stranded nylon coated wire and 8/0 circle hook for catfishing equipment.
- Material:Rattling catfish floats is made of ABC.play a very good waterproof effect,Non-indestructible 4” high buoyancy body,can withstand the super explosive power of the demon dragon catfish.
- Catfishing Method:Use our artificial rigs to attract catfish when trolling, drifting, or when stationary and current is present. and adjusted for water temperature and time of year.The length from your swivel to our auger will determine the height of the catfish auger in the water column.
- Catfish Senses: any species of catfish is more likely to detect vibrations and sounds than other fish species,This trait along with their excellent sense of smell and taste in muddy waters make our catfish rigs an excellent choice when targeting Channel cats, Blue cats, and Flatheads.
- Catfish Rattling Line Float：With a loud rattle and visual cues, gorgeous appearance and bait on the hook, it attacks the catfish’s soft spot from the visual, auditory and taste senses.
- What You Get: 25pcs saltwater circle hooks with steel wire leaders, fitting with strong fishing swivel on the opposite end. 10 sizes circle hooks 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0, 6/0, 7/0, 8/0, 9/0, 10/0 are available geared to different fishing needs. Please note that the larger circle hook equipped with thicker steel wire and the larger barrel swivel.
- Heavy Duty Fishing Leader Wire: 7 strands steel wire with 2 strengthened winding part, making it heavy-duty enough to hold up heavy fish without breaking apart during fish strikes. Wire in silver color can effectively conceal in water, increasing catching rate.
- Saltwater Circle Hook: Forged stainless steel ensures fishing hooks sharp and strong. Inward bending sharp tip designed for hooking fish in the corner of mouth or lip, reducing gut hooked fishes in catch-and-release fishing. Fully closed eye prevents your fishing line from cutting and sliding out.
- Smooth Fishing Swivel: Quality stainless steel fishing swivel can keep high-speed and 360° smooth rotation, avoids tangling line. Nice finish avoids hurting fishing line and winding end below the ring enhances strength to hold up heavy weight.
- Convenient Fishing Hook Rig: Solve the problem that novice cannot tie fishing line, enjoying more time to catch stripe, bass, catfish, crappie, salmon, flathead, bluefish in saltwater and freshwater fishing.
Where To Shop
Fishing can be an expensive hobby, but it doesn’t have to be. Shops like Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops are great for hosting deals and sales where you can stock up on gear occasionally. We’ve found that Amazon has some of the best deals for catfish gear. If you’re a fan of online shopping, Amazon is also a great place to find deals on large quantities of gear.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, the best beginners’ catfish gear doesn’t require you to have a lot of specialized equipment. There are just a few key components of a tackle box that many fishing experts have tested out and found to be the most effective for successfully catching this fish species.
With these few essentials, you’re likely to reel in your first catfish and continue to build your success rate.