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With record heat across much of the country I have been getting pounded with questions about catching catfish in the Summer and in the heat and how high temperatures impact the fishing. This weeks episode of Catfishing Radio we discuss of the hot summer impacts the fishing and whether it’s better to fish during the day or night.
There is a lot of misconceptions about catfishing and there are masses of people out there that believe it’s impossible to catch catfish during the day and this couldn’t be further from the truth. That’s what we’ll discuss in this weeks show and talk about a wide variety of information on how that heat impacts the fishing and what you should do to overcome that.
Catfishing Radio Episode 32
This show was inspired by a headline I read in a magazine article in a popular fishing magazine a couple of weeks ago. I read this headline and immediately knew that this had to be a topic of this weeks show and something that I had to address. I have talked about this in the past in my article on Bad Catfishing Information Overload.
The headline read “Channel catfish always tend to feed much more actively at night during the summer. Anglers that target channel catfish during the summer need to learn how to fish effectively at night. Without fishing in the night success will be limited at best”.
This is a ridiculous statement again in a well respected fishing magazine yet something I continue to see in the traditional media. If you think that you have to fish at night to be successful catching catfish you couldn’t be further from the truth.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO FISH AT NIGHT TO CATCH CATFISH, PERIOD, REGARDLESS OF THE TIME OF YEAR.
I talk in depth about the misconception of fishing during the night and during the day and exactly why I prefer to fish during the day and find it more productive. I am not saying you cannot catch fish at night but I am saying that the statement “without fishing in the night success will be limited at best” is ridiculous.
Next I talk about fishing for channel catfish, blue catfish and flathead catfish in the summer months and the variables of each and why I prefer to fish for channel catfish during the summer as outlined in the Summer Channel Catfish techniques program. I also cover some of the when and why on targeting blue catfish in the summer and why I don’t dedicate as much attention to them in the summer months.
Fishing at night for channel catfish has very little to do with being able to locate and catch channel catfish during the summer months and everything to do with the comfort of the angler, NOTHING MORE.
Thermocline
Next I talk about the thermocline in reservoirs. This is a very basic overview of thermocline, what it is, and how it impacts fishing. I have talked in much greater detail on thermocline and lake turnover in the past so this is really just a basic overview for those that are new to the show. If you want more information on these topics you should check out the links below. I also cover some of the basics behind locating and finding a thermocline.
The Thermocline Show – Podcast Episode 12
More On Thermocline and Catfishing Q&A – Podcast Episode 13
Lake Turnover and the Impact On Fishing – Podcast Episode 16
Thermocline and Catfishing – Videos
Catching Catfish With A Thermocline – Videos
Lake Turnover – Videos
Hot Summer Catfish Wrap Up
Finally is a wrap up on some catfishing tips and tricks for fishing in the summer. I cover some basics on chumming for catfish, baiting holes, the best catfish baits to use in the Summer and my preference for fishing with punch bait and other prepared catfish baits in the summer months. I also cover some of the basic elements of locating feeding fish in the summer month to find productive locations for catching blue catfish and flathead catfish and a wealth of basic tips and tricks.
You can learn all of this and more in the Summer Channel Catfish Techniques program and the Secret Channel Catfish Rig book. Be sure to check out all of our other premium products as well to learn more effective ways to locate and catch blue catfish all year long.
About Chad
Howdy Chad,
A very well written article… Thank you…
Good article. I typically agree with you on daytime catfishing although i do believe one can be more productive from SHORE at night especially if there is not decent winds blowing. Don’t get me wrong i catch channels all day long but i typically dont get on any decent size ones until just before dusk till just after dawn. Unless there is a nice wind blowing and then its all day long 1 after another.
But I definately agree on the flatheads only after dark unless you can get your bait into structures. We fish all day whenever we get the chance but do not usually get any flathead until darkness unless we can get our bait deep into structures but then you risk not catching the fish.
However We fish from shore 99% of the time but i am confidant if we were to fish from a boat we would no longer need night fishing at all.
I totally agree with you Chad. I have to fish on flat ground because of a injury at work so I don’t trust the ground at night. I can go in the boat on the reservoir or on foot on the river and catch Channel Cats almost every time of the day.
The only time I can’t or have a bad time is when someone says “show me how to catch some Channel Cats” and I take them and that is when we get skunked. LOL
I also prefer day fishing. I used to fish nights only and primary by using trotlines. After I started using chum and slip floats with punch bait, I have no need to night fish. Even with the 100 degree days, I normally catch 15-25 keepers from daylight until noon. Last summer I went two days in August with it hotter than heck and caught 50 both days in 6 hours with my son. Find the birds, find the wind blowing into the brush and hang on. I also use your secret catfish rig and am ready for fall so I can get back to splat fishing.