| Tweet | | | | hand actually works as the bait. Wiggle your |
| Share | | | | fingers and it entices the catfish to bite. Yea it's |
| To most people this may seem like a crazy idea. | | | | pretty crazy but it also is rush. You get a big |
| But if you are like me, catching the biggest fish | | | | enough catfish on there you almost have to |
| out there is the sign of a good day. Noodling | | | | wrestle the thing out of there. |
| makes it possible to catch fish where a hook and | | | | BE CAREFUL |
| line cannot go. Catfish are typically most active at | | | | Now as unsafe as it sounds...yea it's not really |
| night, and they rest or lay eggs in large holes | | | | safe at all. Even though chances are good that |
| made by them or abandoned by other animals | | | | hole has a massive catfish laying in it, there may |
| under banks and boat ramps, in the bottom of | | | | be some other toothy critters waiting on the |
| the lake, and so forth during the day. | | | | inside. Loggerhead snapping turtles, snakes, and |
| The best thing about this sport: no equipment. | | | | depending on where you live, alligators, also love |
| This method of fishing has been around for who | | | | to inhabit these former catfish holes.And some |
| knows how long. It really became popular | | | | people will dive down several feet to reach these |
| however during the Great Depression when no | | | | holes. I personally do not recommend this and I |
| one had any money. It costs nothing and yields | | | | have never tried it. I will only go a couple feet |
| large amounts of meat to feed a family. | | | | underwater just in case something were to |
| Where To Look and When | | | | happen. There is always that chance that fish will |
| I have had the most success under large boat | | | | be too big to swim up with attached to your arm. |
| ramps. I just feel around with my foot for a large | | | | And with you wanting to swim up and it wanting |
| hole then if I have to I'll dive down and stick my | | | | to swim down, it may not turn out pretty. I only |
| hand down there. If you find a good private boat | | | | do this in water where my feet can touch the |
| ramp that is hardly ever used is perfect. There | | | | ground for leverage. |
| are sometimes holes just borrowed out all along | | | | The Alternative |
| shallow parts of the lake but those can | | | | If you really want to give this a try but are |
| sometimes be hard to find. Your best bet is under | | | | scared of the consequences of choosing a bad |
| landmarks; ie: boat ramps and banks. Noon is the | | | | hole, I recommend using a long, thin PVC pipe |
| time I have had the most luck with. Fish generally | | | | with a line going through the middle attached to a |
| move to deeper water during the middle day, | | | | large treble hook. This allows you to make sure |
| while catfish will go to their usual holes. | | | | you have a catfish while not risking losing your |
| How to Bring 'em in | | | | fingers. It's a win-win for you. |
| Once you have your hole, all you do is slowly run | | | | That's basically all there is to it! Good luck and be |
| your hand down there until you a feel a CHOMP! | | | | careful! |
| Then grab its lower jar and pull 'em out! Your | | | | |