Rise and shine. This is Early Bird Fishing. Prepare for world class fishing instruction, stories, and news, in less than 5 minutes.

Here’s what we got for you today:

  • The fundamentals on catching Catfish 🐟

  • Why you need to start teaching others how to fish 🎣

  • A generations old Louisiana fish fry recipe 🍳

  • Scroll To The Bottom - we have an unreal referral program and offer rewards for ONLY 1 referral 💸

🎣 Hooked on Whiskers

Catfish are bottom-dwelling, whiskered weirdos—and we love them for it. Whether you’re after channel cats, blues, or flatheads, these fish are strong, slimy, and delicious. The best part? You don’t need fancy gear or a PhD in bait science to hook one—just the right setup, some stink, and a little patience.

The Setup

Start with a medium-heavy rod and a reel with solid drag. Use 15–30 lb mono or braid and rig a slip sinker setup with a circle hook. Catfish are often caught sitting still on the bottom, so this rig keeps your bait where it belongs.

For bait? Get gross. Chicken liver, cut shad, shrimp, nightcrawlers, and even hotdogs have all landed cats. Channel cats love stinkbait, while flatheads prefer live bait like bluegill.

Where and When

Find deep holes in rivers, the mouths of creeks, and spots near submerged logs or brush piles. Cats are active year-round, but night fishing in summer is peak time—especially during a full moon.

Pro Tips

  • Use bait elastic (or mesh) to keep mushy baits like liver from flying off your hook.

  • Add scent trails. Drag your bait slowly upstream or use scent-soaked sponges if fishing moving water.

  • Skip the rod. Limb lines and jug fishing are legal in some places and can be wildly effective for big cats.

  • Tap the bottom. Occasionally lifting and dropping your bait kicks up silt—catfish come running.

Catfishing is gritty, slimy fun. It’s not about finesse—it’s about patience, smell tolerance, and dragging up something that looks like it came from the dinosaur age.

🎣 IN THE FIELD

  • Unleash your inner fishing Zen master by teaching someone else the fine art of bass fishing—because when you guide a newbie, your brain rewires itself to spot patterns you never noticed, and your catch rate skyrockets thanks to the mind-bending “Protege Effect.” Plus, swapping bait tips and trade secrets isn’t just about filling the boat—it’s about casting a legacy, leveling up your skills, and ensuring the next generation of anglers will keep the passion alive.

  • An absolute river monster:

  • Codie Carlson of Newport, Michigan, shattered the state record on June 29 by bowfishing a massive 64.46‑lb, 45‑inch flathead catfish from Plum Creek—blowing past the previous mark of 53.35 lb. Verified by DNR biologist John Buszkiewicz, it’s possible the same beast had been tagged years earlier, after being caught by the DNR in 2020 at 55 lb.

AI CORNER

Every week we generate fishing related AI images. See the coolness/weirdness below:

💋 CHEF’S KISS - RECIPE OF THE WEEK

If you’re lucky enough to have a catfish in your cooler, this recipe hasn’t missed since the beginning of time:

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