Here’s a little secret that will save you hours of boredom: water temperature is your best friend. Flathead catfish like it warm—between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Channel cats prefer it a bit cooler, around 70 to 80 degrees. Blue cats? They don’t care as long as it’s above 60.
What Time Is The Best Time To Catch Catfish at Marsha Tibbetts blog
But the real magic happens when the water temperature rises after a cold front. That’s when catfish go from “meh” to “monster mode.” I keep a cheap thermometer in my tackle box, and I’m not ashamed to admit I check it more often than I check my phone. It’s sad, but it works.
Moon Phases: Science or Voodoo?
I used to roll my eyes at moon phase charts. I thought they were for people who also believe in lucky socks. But then I tried fishing during a new moon, and I had the best night of my life. The fish were active, aggressive, and honestly, a little rude.
The truth is, dark nights (new moons) and quarter moons push catfish to feed more aggressively. Full moons? They can be hit or miss. Sometimes the fish feed all night; other times they’re just floating around, staring at the sky like they’re in a trance. You never really know until you go.
