With warmer weather right around the corner it will soon be time to go catfishing again and it doesn't matter if your going on your fishing trip to a local lake or river were going to reveal some great tips and tricks to make your next fishing trip a success.

There are some basic things you should keep in mind when going on a fishing trip for catfish. Remember catfish like to take bait that is laying still. So don't be bouncing your bait or reeling it in and out. And no matter what anyone tells you the two best baits for your average catfish is chicken livers or medium to large size shrimp. And remember when you are using shrimp for bait for catfish to remove the skin and tail from the shimp before using it for bait for your catfish. Chicken livers should be used just barely thawed out. If you use your chicken livers just barely thawed they will stay on your hook or hooks much better.

Other baits used for catfish are blood worms , night crawlers , cut up small fish, minnows both alive and dead and catfish dough baits. When you go on your fishing trip and get to your destination where your going to fish ask around at the local tackle and bait shops as to what bait works best there for catfish. But don't forget to take along some chicken livers and raw shrimp as the are two baits I have used to catch tens of thousands of catfish over the years.  

Believe it or not but a lot of those farm ponds contain some really large catfish so if you can get permission to fish why not plan a fishing trip to a local farm pond for some of the best catfishing you will ever find anywhere.

For the average farm pond fishing trip you will need a 6 foot rod or two with spinning reels on them with some good heavy duty fishing line as you are probally going to be catching some large catfish. You will want a rod stand for your rod or if your using more than one rod a rod stand for each rod. And for farm pond catfish fishing I would strongly suggest using chicken livers or green shrimp ( fresh frozen shrimp ) for bait. You can use small pieces of old pantyhose to wrap your chicken livers in if your having trouble keeping the chicken livers on the hook. And unless its illegal in your area use treble hooks to catch those big channel catfish you often find living in farm ponds.

Cast your baited hooks into the water and allow the bait to sink. Then tighten up your line and set your rod down on the rod stand. If your fishing in a good spot your going to see the end of your rod bounce up and down and then the line will be pulled straight out and you can grab the rod and set the hook. Hopefully you will habe just caught one of those monster catfish we all hear about and you better have your camera handy. Keep in mind that those big catfish can be cleaned and cut up into excellent catfish nuggets. Add slaw, french fries, and hushpuppies and you will have a excellent meal.  

There are some other things you may want to take along on your farm pond catfishing trip.

1. Pliers for removing hooks from the fishes mouth.

2. A folding chair for each person on the trip.

3. Mosquito Repellent.

4. Sun Screen.

5. Several washcloths or dish clothes for clean up.

6. A radio to listen to while you fish.

7. A ice chest for some cold drinks and a place to keep your chicken livers and shrimp.

8. A good knife for cutting bait etc.

9. A fish stringer or fish net pot to keep your fish in after you catch them.

10. A good fishing hat. Especially if its hot with out shade where your fishing.

Always watch out for turtles when you have your fish on a stringer in a farm pond. They can easily sneak up and eat part or all of your catch before you even know it.

Most farmers with farm ponds will usually give you permission to fish if you ask. And most will usually tell you where the catfish usually bite best in the pond and what bait they usually use to catch the catfish with.

So I guess thats about all. I hope you have a great fishing trip and I hope I told you something here that will help you to catch a few more fish. And if you like feel free to post a comment down below now.