Catfish Lures: A Beginner’s Guide for 2024 Reading Time: 5 minutes

When anglers think about targeting Catfish, they mainly think about using real bait. Chicken livers, worms, minnows, sucker meat, and even cheese are on a Catfish’s favorite menu. Live and cut baits are potent, and the strong smells are the go-to for Catfish angling adventures. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have success with Catfish lures!

A man in a large hat, sunglasses, and white shirt standing on a boat and holding a large Catfish on a day with sunny intervals
Photo courtesy of Texas Fins – Central TX Fishing Guide

While they’re less popular, Catfish fishing lures aren’t off the table—nor are other methods. Noodling is one popular technique (in some states) that doesn’t require any fishing gear. It’s literally using your arm to draw a strike to pull the Catfish from hiding!

But if using your arm as bait doesn’t sound appealing, Catfish lures are the next best thing. Let’s see how you can utilize them…

Can you even catch Catfish with lures? 

You might be surprised to learn that lures are great for Catfish. They’re especially deadly when your hooks are tipped with baits, but lures can work on their own as well. The ability to make noise and add extra action with certain styles is a major bonus when targeting Catfish.

A man and a woman hold a Catfish between them aboard a freshwater fishing charter on a sunny day, with the shoreline visible across the water behind them
Photo courtesy of Markybob Catfishing

As with any style of fishing, you’ll need to make sure your lures reach the Catfish. Anglers who read the water well and make presentations in the most likely areas will have higher success rates. Experimenting with different lures and investing the time to find your favorites will help you master this.

But, while lures are great, it’s a good idea to keep baits handy as a backup. If not, be prepared to dig up a few worms to tip the hooks on your lures. Yet, as I’ve already said, lures can get the job done without any additional help—at least some of the time!

Favorite Catfish Lures 

Whatever you’re fishing with, make sure you have a stiff rod that’s capable of pulling strong Catfish from deep holes! Without that, none of the following Catfish lures will stand a chance. But with the right gear, the following lures will help you reel in that prized fish…

Jigs with Soft Plastics

A closeup of three, brightly-colored jig-head fishing lures on a wooden table

One of the absolute best lure options is the weighted jig head. It drops quickly and has the ability to get right in front of the fish. Reducing the distance a Catfish needs to travel for the strike will help your odds, so keep that in mind. Adding a soft minnow or crayfish to the jig hook is as close as it gets to using real baits. 

Look for plastics injected with scent for an edge using this method. You can also soak soft baits in scent formulas and reapply throughout the day. They work without the scent but it definitely helps to add attractants.

Spinnerbaits

A closeup image of a spinnerbait being used as lure on the end of a fishing line being held by a male angler on a boat on a cloudy day

Any action or disturbance in the water can help draw a Catfish strike. When Channel Catfish, in particular, are on the hunt, using lures is a great strategy. Spinnerbaits are ideal for trolling over weed beds and other areas that are rich with minnows and other forage that Catfish love to hunt. You can cover plenty of ground while seeking out the most aggressive fish.

Crankbaits

A closeup of a crank bait used for fishing in Kissimmee, FL, being held by a finger and a thumb pinching its top

Another deadly Catfish lure is the crankbait. As with spinnerbaits, these work well when fish are actively feeding. If water levels rise suddenly from rainfall, it can flush prey out from hiding and put Catfish on the hunt. Put your biggest crankbaits to work during this time to target big Flatheads, Blues, or Channel Cats. 

When to Target Catfish with Lures

A group of middle-aged male anglers hold a Catfish each back on druy land after a successful fishing trip in Kingston, OK, on a sunny day
Photo courtesy of C.C. Guide Service

We know that water level changes can expose prey but when are the prime times to try lures for Catfish? 

Look to the early mornings, late evenings, and the night for the best results. You can catch Catfish at all times of day but they’re most active in low light conditions. During daylight, make a very targeted approach, looking for holding and ambush areas. When the light is lower, try searching more water with lures to find fish where they’re actively feeding and exploring.

If you live in colder climate zones, focus on Catfish when the weather is warmer. Summer is the prime season, while winter conditions can really slow down activity.

Catfish Lures FAQs

Which Catfish lures will you try this year?

A group of four anglers showing off their haul of Catfish aboard a boat on a relatively clear winter's day
Photo courtesy of Afternoon & Evening Trophy Catfish

Baits are the most common choice for Catfish but that doesn’t mean lures won’t work well. Lures are easier to store and they don’t require coolers to hold cut bait or livewells for minnows. The convenience means you can keep a tackle box of highly effective Catfish lures ready at all times. Try your hand at using lures when the bite is especially hot to see which ones are most effective in your particular fishery!

Do you target Catfish with lures? We’d love to hear what’s working on your local waters in the comments below! 

The post Catfish Lures: A Beginner’s Guide for 2024 appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.

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