Hopefully by now you have read my parts of a baitcast reel article and have also read my article on choosing a catfish reel, and have picked up a round baitcasting reel like the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6500C3.
One of the key elements that most of the round baitcasting reels I have been writing about is they have a little switch called the bait clicker. Some manufacturers also refer to a bait clicker as a line alarm.
This is not something that is an absolute must have for catfishing but it is something that is essential for certain catfishing techniques, especially if you plan on fishing for blue catfish or flathead catfish.
It is possible to fish without this function but I cannot imagine doing so, and there are some specific techniques and times of year where it can be a critical piece of equipment in your catfishing tackle.
When I am fishing with clients on my guided catfish trips I often get a lot of “hey I never knew what that was for” responses when I start using this function on the reel and I also see a lot of people make a lot of errors when trying to use the bait clicker which causes not only lost fish but can also do damage to the reel.
With that in mind, I am going to cover the basics on what a bait clicker is, how you use this function on your fishing reel and a critical step you need to take to make sure that you don’t do damage to your reels when fishing with a bait clicker or line alarm function.
What is a bait clicker used for?
When the bait clicker is engaged it causes the reel to make a “clicking” noise anytime the spool on the reel moves. What this does is allows the reel to be set in “free spool” where a catfish can “run” with the fishing line allowing there to be no resistance from the rod and reel, and when the spool begins to move a clicking noise is made alerting you that you have a bite so you can engage the reel and set the hook on the fish.
The basic process for most techniques is to cast your line into the water (most commonly fished with a slip sinker rig), remove all the slack from the line, put the fishing rod into a rod holder (double check and make sure the slack is out of the line) and then set the reel in free spool (push the button in that you would use to disengage the spool when you cast).
When a catfish comes along and takes your bait, and moves the line the reel will begin making a “clicking” noise. At this point you would engage the spool (by turning the handle) and set the hook and begin your retrieve.
This is very common technique for fishing for blue catfish and flathead catfish, again using a slip sinker rig is most common (but you can use other rigs as well).
Blues and flatheads are well known for hitting hard and “running” with a bait so this is a very good technique for fishing for these species. Channel cats typically will not strike near as hard or run with baits so more often than not if you try to use this technique for fishing for channels you will miss more fish than you can catch (which is why I often mention when fishing for channel catfish that you should hold the rod, like I covered in catfish punch bait 101).
This is not an absolute technique because as you begin to use it you will find that there are times when the fish will not “run” with bait and without holding the rod you will be missing bites, but overall is a very good place to start when fishing for blue and flathead catfish, especially in shallow water. If the fish are not running with the line then using the catfish fishing line I suggest gives you the ability to see the fish moving to the side, and obviously your line will go slack if they are swimming towards the boat.
One of the major advantages of using the bait clicker or line alarm is that it allows you to fish for multiple fishing rods at one time and monitor your bites easily and effectively. I also find in many instances that my clients will catch more catfish when fishing with the bait clicker function because we keep the bait clicker in the rod holder and it prevents them from trying to set the hook too early and pulling the hook from the fishes mouth.
Like anything, you have to read the bite and if you are missing fish you may need to either adjust your leader length or turn the bait clickers off and hold the rod. It is just something that you learn through trial and error and reading what the fish are doing. Some days they will hit and run for 200 yards and others they will bite short and fast.
The added bonus is for most people a “screaming clicker” with a fish running is one of the best sounds you can hear when catfishing and it provides a great rush.
I have not gotten into a lot of information about circle hooks and my opinions on them or the pro’s and con’s but will ultimately do so. I did however write an article on kahle hooks. Just for clarification purposes before someone asks the question because I know they will, I do NOT suggest you use a bait clicker (line alarm) when fishing with circle hooks.
I have also been getting a ton of questions about drift fishing for catfish and just about every article I get an email asking if it pertains to drift fishing. DO NOT use a bait clicker when drift fishing.
The best use of this function is again fishing anchored with a tight line using a slip sinker rig.
Choosing a Bait Clicker Catfish Reel
Go back and read my article on choosing a catfish reel. All of the reels that are listed in this article have this function on them regardless of the price point. The major difference is often times the less expensive models will have a plastic clicker on them.
Plastic clickers are fine for short term use but after repeat long term use often times they will begin to wear out and will slowly start to be more and more quiet until they ultimately quit working. Higher end reels like the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6500C3 have metal in them instead of plastic which typically not only makes them louder but also makes them last longer.
Basic Care And Maintenance
One critical error many people make when fishing with a bait clicker or line alarm function is they turn the switch to the on position and leave it on when reeling the line in. What happens is when the clicker is on, the reel not only makes a clicking noise when the spool is turning in the forward direction but also when it is turning in the reverse direction as well (it will “click” in free spool and also when casting and when reeling in).
The switch should be turned off prior to casting and also prior to retrieving (or as you begin reeling in the line). The only time the switch should remain engaged is when you have the reel sitting in free spool waiting for a bite. The clicker should never make noise when you are casting or reeling in.
Leaving the switch on when casting and also when retrieving causes the reel to constantly make noise, which is not only annoying, but will also cause the part to wear out prematurely causing it to have to be replaced.
Hopefully you already have a fishing reel with this function on it. If not I would encourage you to go read choosing a catfish reel and to get one. As I continue to add information and build upon this website I will be covering more and more topics and covering techniques that having this function on your reel will be critical to your success while catfishing.
have you ever or do you use a bait clicker function? What are your experiences?
Make sure you check out my cafish tackle page and also choosing a catfish rod and choosing a catfish reel to get the complete listing of the gear I use as a professional catfish guide.
If you like this article and information remember to post a comment below, click the “like” button below and “help me help you”.
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I love the sounds of screaming clickers, especially when in 2 ft and when ya set the hook and see that big ol tail slap the water !
Once again Chad’s school of catfishing has made excellent points about the bait clicker. If I could only get my wife to read the article, I would not be furthering my career as a bait clicker fixer along with other reel cleaning and repairs. I use circle hooks and it is a good point that the bait clicker is not to be used in that situation. I think I watch deep sea fishing just to hear the sound of the reel,line and clicker going off, it starts my heart to flutter. Of course when you pull up a big freshwater drum, it takes some of the thrill away. Great information to the point. What is the deal with the FISHN site? I must have missed the catfish feature.
Can’t talk, I got to keep my worms warm.
Bob
Ha, sometimes you can lead a horse to water but …….
Chad;
Another great article. I use to use a Penn 155 and a cheaper Garcia Mitchel [made in France], IIRC, a Model 624 while fishing for Sturgeon & Trolling for Stripers in the Carquinez Straits and San Pablo. The Clicker was an essential item. There were times when I feel I would have missed catching fish, had it not been for the “Clicker”.
Stan
Great info on the clicker.First time I heard correct way to use the clicker.
Gramps
Interesting. A lot of people down here in South Texas use circle hooks when fishing with a clicker. I think maybe I’ll switch over to some kahle hooks and see if I can out-fish my buddies!
Steven
I could write/talk for days on circle hooks. I am going to put something together.
I’m confused why not leave the clicker on while using a circle hook and or drifting?
Circle hooks set themselves is the short answer. I am going to have to write another article to clarify more.
Love the info. However I currently use a couple of Abu Garica 5000′s which do not have clicker. DO you have a suggestion on how to use these reels for the method of fishing in you above article. Thanks for your help. Some day i will get a couple of 6500′s.
Yes, I will working on putting something together.
And yet one more inquiry. With circle hooks, our practice is to “reel down” when a kitty takes off with the bait. With Kahle hooks, should we sweep the rod and set the hook, or follow the same method that we use with circle hooks? Thanks.
I have a few 5000′s as well, and I’m interested to hear the best method with these reels, seeing as how a few of mine don’t have bait clickers (one does).
Steven
Set the hook with Kahles. I will go into some more detail on the 5000′s and techniques later.
Thanks, Chad! We know you are a busy person and we appreciate your info!
Steven
Great article. You can also add a clicker to Abu Garcia 5000 series reels that don’t have a clicker.
How do you do this.
The EASIEST way is to find the replacement side plate that accommodates the bait clicker mechanism that you want to install. The bait clicker that goes on a straight 6000 is the least complex, and it can retrofit a 5000, but you have to find a faceplate that does the trick……or, cut the hole out of your existing faceplate. The clicker assembly can be found on the net, so it’s a matter of finding or modifying the side plate to fit the mechanism.
Thanks for the info
Great advice!
Chad, I’m looking forward to your article on using level winds that don’t have a bait clicker (like a 5000 series without the option). Yes, I love to hear that clicker sing, but if you can catch fish without one, then why mess with a good reel? I’ll keep an eye on my phone for the notice of the article. Thanks again for your replies to our questions.
Bait clickers are a very useful tool when it comes to cat fishing, however I do all my fishing from the bank with the wind and boat traffic, and use it ALWAYS, even in the strong winds.
The only reel I have found that has a drag for the clicker is the Okuma Spinning series. I can set the drag on the clicker from nothing, to 2 lb. pull strength. It is so sensitive that it will pull line without moving the rod tip. I have found that when it moves only inches and stops, that 8 out of 10 times, a fish has sucked the bait into it’s mouth. Flatheads most in particular. In a heavy wind and/or lots of boat traffic, you can adjust the clicker so the wind and waves won’t take line and make it ring, yet it still sings when something runs with your bait. If anyone is interested in this type of setup, I have added a link to Cabalas. I have coupled this with a King Kat 10 ft. rod and am very happy with all my sets.
This is a salt water rig so it can withstand the punishment of salt water.
I am such a moron. Thanks for the site, now I will not feel like an idiot on my next outing. This is the first month I have used a Abu with a bait clicker. I was adjusting the drag, and then turning the clicker on. If I were to get a fish running, I would have to adjust the drag again to begin to reel it in. JUST PUSH THE BUTTON YOU IDIOT!!! Wow, I usually am not this dumb, but at least I am learning.
Jim, You are not dumb, just need to know the right way. Sounds like you have got it now!