Collection: Catfish Fishing Rigs

Pre-tied catfish float rigs, ready to fish

Catfishing is a waiting game, and the rig is the one part you should not improvise at midnight. These are pre-tied float rigs built for blue catfish, channel cats and flatheads: 90 cm leaders, 6/0–10/0 high-carbon circle hooks, 30–50 lb line, foam cigar floats and rattling beads, with bell versions for night sessions.

Why circle hooks are the right choice

Catfish swallow bait and then sit still, which is exactly the situation where a J-hook gut-hooks and a circle hook does not. With a circle, the fish turns away, the hook rolls into the corner of the jaw, and the float simply goes under. The technique is to reel down until the line is tight and lift — not to strike. Hook-up rates on big blues are as good or better, and release mortality drops sharply.

Setting the depth

Suspend the bait 30–60 cm off the bottom in still water, and closer to the bottom in current. Blue cats hunt mid-water over deep channels; channels and flatheads sit tighter to structure. In rivers, set the float so the bait drifts just above the snags, and let the current carry it — a float rig that moves is doing its job.

Frequently asked questions

What bait works best? Fresh cut shad or skipjack for blues, live bluegill for flatheads, and stink bait or chicken liver for channels. Freshness matters more than brand.

How heavy a weight do I need? Enough to hold the float steady but not so much that a taking fish feels resistance — usually 1–3 oz in a river, 0.5–2 oz in a lake.

Can these rigs be reused? Yes, if you rinse and dry them. Inspect the hook point and the knot after every fish; replace rather than retie at the bank.