Are you a fisherman who loves fishing for cat? Are you looking to start catfishing but have never really done it before? Whatever your experience level with catfish fishing, it's normal to have questions and concerns. Can catfish be caught using lures? This is a common question and the truth is that they can and quite often, they are. How is this done and what types are used?



Statistics have shown throughout fishing history that catfish can in fact, be caught using artificial lures although most seem to prefer live baits. In fact, this theory was proven in the Nebraska Master Angler Program of 2002 in which 415 qualifying catfish were caught and a good percentage were caught with catfish lures. Many other states have their own contests and programs which have shown this to be true.

Spinners

Spoons

Jigs tipped with minnows

Many of these catfish were caught with these lures by accident - meaning the fisherman was trying for another type of fish and snagged a hungry cat instead. But this goes to show that if they really want it, they will come after anything, even artificial lures. Even though they may have been accidental catches while the angler was going for bass or walleye, etc, this still tells us something interesting; that catfish may be targeted with lures successfully.

If a hungry cat will snag an artificial lure when it wasn't even intended for him, then it seems practical that you could catch one if you were actually trying. So just how does one go about doing such a thing?

If you are using the right lures in the right conditions, then it is quite possible to catch a catfish with a lure. You can catch channel cat, blues and even flatheads with artificial lures if you have your timing right and you know what you are doing. To increase your chances at success with catfish lures, there are some things you should be aware of.

While catfish are very well known for their sense of smell, they also have a great sense of sight when the waters are clear enough. When fishing for catfish in muddy waters, this doesn't benefit anyone very much but if the water is clear, you can take advantage of the great eyesight of the catfish to help you catch them with lures.

In addition to this acute eyesight, catfish also have great hearing. Their ears are designed in such a way to allow for hearing a wide range of frequencies under water. And of course, as you probably know well already, the sense of smell and taste in the catfish is rival to any other in the animal kingdom.

The skin, whiskers, surface of the mouth and the gill are all covered with taste buds and they can smell as well as taste prey from very far away. When catfish are looking for food, they will use as many of their senses as possible to help them find a meal. This is a good thing to keep in mind when using lures to catch catfish.