You don’t have to head down to the Gulf Coast or out West to enjoy some great catfishing. The Red River of the North flows right through the heart of Minnesota, and it’s home to some serious catfish. Here are 10 hot tips and tactics for catching a giant catfish on this river.
If you’re looking to reel in a trophy-sized catfish, then you need to check out the Red River of the North. This river offers some excellent opportunities for anglers looking to land a giant fish. In this article, we’ll share ten tips and tactics for catching a monster catfish on the Red River. So put these techniques to use, and start reeling in those giants!
About The Red River of the North
The Red River of the North is a beautiful, flowing river that runs along the Minnesota/North Dakota border from Wahpeton ND to Breckenridge MN. It provides water for both countries as it passes through many cities and towns on its way there! Some major ones include Moorhead(which has one of my favorite breweries in town), East Grand Forks which was once known by pioneers because they thought this land would never be settled before them; Drayton South Dakota – where we can find some awesome wildlife viewing opportunities while fishing too if you’re into those things…for example see above about “the magnificent muskrat.”
The Red River is the only place on earth where you can find an opportunity to catch a huge, 20+ pound catfish with every hookset. It’s no wonder that this river has been home to over 70 species of fish and countless fishermen from all across America who traveled here just because they want one too!
There’s no other catfish experience quite like a trip on The Red River of the North.
10 Hot Catfishing Tips
#1 Floats
Fishing with floats is a great way to fish in still waters such as rivers and lakes. They are especially useful when water levels are high because the bass moves away from strong currents that might stir up prey too much for them! Floats also work well at times nearshore where there’s an outlet channel created by damming up-river or other obstacles like trees on shoreline banks which make it easier for cats to hunt food underwater without having any interference from wind patterns cutting across what would otherwise be open ocean space right next door down south.
Flots are one of the most important tools in any angler’s arsenal during the pre-spawn period. The dead shad is a great bait to have on hand, but nightcrawlers often work just as well and can be easier for you to get them if needed! But if you’re looking for an under-the-radar type of fish that’s often overlooked and can be found in shallow waters, take a look at these three types. With scattered boulders on the bottom as well as plenty of room to move around among them without getting too close together or having your line pulled out by some other lurking creature waiting patiently just beneath us all – this is how we’ll find our target! One technique sure not do any harm while catching it? Drift fishing with bait drifts slowly upstream alongside channels where there may otherwise only see smooth sand between rocks.
Catfishing is all about patience—and having the right equipment. With a larger float, you can see at greater distances—like when fishing through rough or fast-moving water with Thill Big Fish Sliders or Pole Floats I often make drifts of up to 100 yards down current seams on drops off edges where there’s an abundance small fish that tend not be so active during still periods but instead spend their time cruising around looking for food sources such as garbage waves meant just waiting patiently until we doze them out by moving too soon then catching one once our lines go taught because now they know something.
There are several ways to fish for panfish with this rig. You can experiment by moving the slipknot up and down your line, tying it off at different depths according to what you think will be productive areas in shallow water or not so many current-driven breaks where they hold more tightly along distinct edges created by shoreline lips and rocky ridges near dams.
When casting a rig to an edge, make sure you hold the rod tip high so as much line off of it. This will allow for less drag on your float and help keep it drifting downriver without getting caught up in any current eddies or hung-ups.”
I have long-used cut suckers that I typically take with me frozen in an ice chest. This trip, however, seemed key – they are oily coldwater fish native to the River Red and enter it from Lake Winnipeg at a time when we’re looking for the most! We filleted bigger ciscoes of this variety before cutting their sides off just enough so as not to damage any organs or tissues while keeping one-inch steaks on offer throughout fall/winter periods if you prefer your meat fresh-caught rather than preserved by freezing straight away like myself usually.
Channel cats are fickle creatures, and it is important to take their moods into account when drift fishing. The best way for you the angler will be to find out what type of depth they prefer as well as where on your line or fly rod control lies in this equation- from 1 foot all way up past 6″.
#2 Hooks & Rods
With the fish more lethargic, taste and scent play a bigger role in getting them to move towards your bait. The Eagle Claw 84 J-hook design works great for catching catfishes especially when you purchase it in hundred counts or larger sizes that range from tiny up through 10/0 – perfect!
Hooked once? No worries. Circle hooks are close to being foolproof when they’re used correctly, and these types of fishing lines always have a strong hold that catches most fish in the corner of their mouth; you never need to worry about losing them unless broken off or deeply hooked.- The Red’s catch-and-release policy makes it an entirely catch-and-release fishery – one reason why angling has been so good lately.
The miracle of Circle Hooks lies in its design. These unique hook points roll back at an angle, making them perfect for avoiding catching flesh when fishing with this type of bait – especially since you’re using it correctly! When a fish takes your catch right up into its mouth and starts to chew on the point of the hook; line tension moves around without any contact between skin cells or tissues which is why these types never hurt anyone who feeds themselves via relistens feeding Share.
No need to set the hook and, indeed doing so can cause your line or jeopardize it. So instead of trying for a catch right off the bat with no time invested into getting ready (setting), let’s start by dropping our rod tip toward fish as they bite then reel them in when there’s pressure on.
Catfish are expert pullers, and because of this, they love rods with a limber tip. These types of fishing rods can be used for many kinds of rivers including bank sticks jugs lines poles and even limblines! This means that if you’re looking to catch these pesky fish then there is no better way than using one on your line instead of when baitcasting typically works well enough alone but not always…
The Shakespeare Ugly Stiks rod line is still the largest selling catfish rod on today’s market. I use their bigger, heavier duty models for blue cats and flatheads – like my old friend Doc Brown! For channels though you’ll want two of my favorite sticks from this company: an 8-foot 6-inch MDS1186 MH (heavyweight) which can cast lots of weight; AND CAI 1176 ML light/medium action model that shares many properties with its counterpart but takes up less space in your truck when packed away due to shorter length .
The Ugly Stik rods are more than a match for channel cats, even those the size of fish on Red. They’re good-looking and durable–I also use them as walleye trolling coupled with line counter reels or baitcasting outfits when feeling particularly aggressive about catching something huge! Another nice option from this company would be their CAL 1100 rod which comes in at just $50-$60 depending upon where you buy it – an awesome price point if your looking to get into fishing without breaking too many budgets while doing so!!
The Lazer Sharp L7228 is a great hook for beginners. It has forgiving gaps and will not break the fish’s mouth when you set your bait into their wide-open jaws, but sometimes they can be too tempting as well because of how easy this type/size comes up in Deep Sea fishing – usually without any warning whatsoever! Make sure that if using smaller sizes (1-2) where there isn’t much depth see to setting them deeper than what might typically fit on another rod or line.
Related Articles: How To Bait A Worm On The Hook For Trout
Though there are many different designs out on the market, my favorite is a heavy-duty Lazer sharp 2004. It has less gap than 7228 and comes in platinum black or lightening aluminum shank with EL version for Photographer’s License Holders (PLH). 702 hooks work similarly but feature offset circles at the throat which makes them better suited towards deeper waters where you want your bait to hang up faster rather than flitting around more shallow areas near the bottom – especially if they’re schooling!
The best way to increase your hook-up rate is by not tying directly onto the eye, but instead sliding the line through before making a snell knot. This will cause more rolling circle-cam action in comparison with set lines; a proven fact when it comes down to commercial longline fishing.
This phenomenon has been seen at play among fishermen who use both types of gear simultaneously – even though one style may provide an advantage over another depending on specific circumstances (e..g., weight class).
#3 What to Look For in a Reel
Baitcasting reels provide better reeling in those monster fish while spinning ones work best for shore and distance casting.
I almost always recommend using a spinning reel instead of one on your line rather than having to carry two different sets with you wherever fishing goes!
If you are on a budget and have any sort of 30/300/3000 series reel or greater, then your kit is going to be good enough for catfishing. If not in the finances though – don’t buy it! Whether using spin cast gear (the most affordable), bait casters like myself; or spinning reels- make sure that they can handle big fights before heading out with them because those fish will give everything needed right off the bat without much trouble at all so long as there’s plenty around–even small ones sometimes get lucky if we’re feeling generous enough towards our own prey.
Related Articles: Best Fishing Reel For Catching Catfish
#4 Line & Swivel
Brad’s tips are designed to help you get more fish on your line. One of the best ways is by using heavier-weight braid and leaders, which has been his specialty over time with bigger catfish that can often exceed 20 pounds in size! To avoid damage from constantly beating up against knots when fishing heavy-duty setups like this one – Brad suggests adding some plastic protectors above all swivels or attached pieces so they don’t take too much abuse while helping keep weight off crucial areas where durability matters most (like around barbs).
#5 Bottom Rigging
When fishing for catfish, it is important to find the right spot. A good place will have heavy current and deep water near or within the boat navigating over rocks with an outgoing flow of water towards deeper channels where there are no rapids present at all because these fish like having something solid below them as well so they can hang onto while swimming around trying not to get eaten by other predators!
As you drive downriver, the level of water varies from 9 to 11 feet deep. In between these deeper areas are 50-100 yard stretches with slightly confusing names like “mid-river flats” or ‘downstream near Selkirk’. These latter spots tend to be around 13 meters (about 4FB) underwater – perfect for catching fish!
Leaders should be shorter rather than longer when fishing in moderate currents because lighter braids twist more easily. A leader with an 8- to 12-inch length works well for most catfishes, but a heavier braid will make it easier on your line and give you better control over where the bait goes downriver – whether upstream or downstream!
When fishing along the edge of a current created by an open gate pushing up against and rolling over slacker currents from closed gates, you should use no leaders at all. Let your slip-weight ride right next to where they are trying to put their bait so that it will be more accurate than ever before! I have tried using circle hooks in these situations with success too – good thing because this is one tough environment for us, recreational fishermen…
Hooking a catfish is not an easy task. It takes patience, skill, and sometimes even luck to find that perfect spot where they are feeding on bait or other food items such as insects which can be found near rocks at the bottom of rivers
You need something heavy enough so it will stay hooked while you work your way along with slack spots gathering these pesky little critters up for dinner! The most popular weight today replacing old ways like eggs sinkers isn’t just one type but many depending upon what kind we’re going after here: flat No Roll Sinkers holding better in current conditions; round Clark’s hook types ideal when fishing fast-moving waters.
#6 Catfish Bait
I know that there are a lot of different ways to catch catfish, but I’ve found the best one is using suckers. You can get them at any time during spring and summer when they’re running around in the water looking for food! Cut up your favorite piece as though you were going fishing with artificial bait or live offerings so all it takes is some patience from me-the angler -to reel this beauty right back onto my line again soon enough.
#7 Use Fishing Finder
Catfish spotters will be excited to know that there are hidden waterways just waiting for them under the surface of their lakes and rivers. A fishing finder can show where these underwater hotspots exist, giving anglers an opportunity they might’ve never seen before!
#8 The Quick Change Program
Catfishing is a great hobby, but it can be time-consuming and frustrating when you have to stop fishing because of snags or broken lines in the water. Thankfully there are ways around this problem with quick-change rigs that allow fishermen easy access back into their reels after being away from them for only momentary periods while still catching plenty of big catfish!
Catfishing is an excellent way to spend time when you’re bored, but it can be tedious if your line gets tangled up in something in the water or breaks. Thankfully there are tricks that allow fishermen easy access back into their reels without having any major problems while still catching plenty of big catfish!
#9 What is the best time to fish for catfish?
Catching catfish can be done year-round, but it’s most common in the summer. In order to find these deep water creatures, you need a fishing rod and line for when they’re hiding near shallower areas of oceanography such as estuaries or riversides with slower-moving currents that offer up food sources like small insects which makes them easier targets because there isn’t much competition around at this time compared what we see during winter months—that is unless someone else has already caught one before us!
Related Articles: Best Time Of Day To Catch Catfish (Seasonal Guide)
#10 Use a Combo
When you are looking for the right fishing rod and reel, it can be difficult to determine which combination will work best. The combo that I recommend has been one of my go-to’s in recent years – a 7′ or 8-footer with a medium power rating paired up against fast action bed; this setup allows me to drag big fish onto light line while still having plenty left over after fighting off cookies! Look out there if your tastes lean more towards bass rather than bluegills–I’ve found success using spinning gear too when they’re on offer at local pro shops.
Ugly Stick Catfish Spinning Combo
- A medium-heavy
- Moderate-fast action rod
- Spinning reel
Berkley Big Game Baitcast Combo
- A medium-heavy
- Baitcasting combo
Abu Garcia Catfish Commando Spinning Combo
- A medium-heavy
- Moderate-fast action rod
- Spinning reel
FAQ
Q: How do you attract catfish?
Catfishing is a lot of fun, and if you’re looking to catch some catfish then it’s important that the lure catches their attention. A great way to do this would be with bright colors such as orange or red! One particularly effective type is Cheetos puffs; not only will they get your fish excited by its appearance in front of them but also because those delicious cheesy corn smells encourage bites on whatever prey may lie beneath.
Q: How deep should you fish for catfish?
Catfishing for catfish has been around for as long as there have been fishing trips. It’s not uncommon to see people trying their luck with this ancient sport, especially in lakes where they thrive and can be found dwelling at depths between 15-20 feet deep. If you’re planning on heading out into nature soon make sure that your equipment is updated because nowadays it seems like every smartphone camera captures something worthy!
Q: Do catfish like hotdogs?
Hot dogs, the go-to food for many fishing enthusiasts and catfish anglers alike have been used throughout history. Most people use them as a last resort when they run out of traditional bait such as worms or cutties; however, there are some who discover their benefits unexpectedly – one such person being Lee Trevino himself!
On occasion, you may come across someone with an unusual taste in cuisine but it’s always best if we can avoid eating unknown items so please don’t take my word on this matter without research first because I could very well be wrong about a hot dog.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to reel in a giant catfish this summer, we hope these tips and tactics will help. The Red River of the North is a great place to fish for catfish, especially if you use some of the techniques mentioned here. With a little bit of practice and patience, you should be able to bring in one of these trophies! Have fun fishing and good luck!