The Best Time of Day to Catch Catfish: A Comprehensive Guide
Fishing for catfish is a rewarding and exciting experience, whether you’re an experienced angler or just starting. One of the most crucial factors in successfully catching catfish is knowing the best time of day to fish for catfish. Timing your fishing trips based on when catfish are most active can greatly increase your chances of landing a big catch. The time of day plays a significant role in catfish behavior, feeding habits, and how they respond to different bait and lure choices.
In this article, we will explore when is the best time of day to catch catfish, how the time of year impacts catfish fishing, and how you can adjust your bait and lure choices depending on the time of day. We’ll also discuss the benefits of fishing for catfish at different times of the day, from the quiet, early morning hours to the active, nocturnal behavior of catfish at night.
Table of Contents:
- Understanding Catfish Behavior
- When is the Best Time of Day to Catch Catfish?
- Early Morning (Dawn)
- Late Morning to Early Afternoon
- Evening (Dusk)
- Nighttime
- How Time of Year Impacts Catfish Fishing
- Bait and Lure Choices Based on Time of Day
- Conclusion
Understanding Catfish Behavior
Before diving into the best time of day to fish for catfish, it’s important to understand catfish behavior and how their feeding patterns change throughout the day. Catfish are generally bottom-feeding fish, often found in deeper, slower-moving waters such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. They have a keen sense of smell, which is why they tend to be attracted to baits with strong scents.
Catfish can be nocturnal feeders, meaning they are most active at night, though they also feed during other times of the day, particularly early in the morning and late in the evening. The best time of day to fish for catfish can depend on multiple factors, such as water temperature, food availability, and the time of year.
You can also watch our video on the best fishing rig for catching catfish from the bank!
When is the Best Time of Day to Catch Catfish?
The best time of day to catch catfish varies depending on the species, location, and seasonal conditions. Here’s a breakdown of the different times of day you may want to target catfish and how each period can affect your fishing strategy:
Early Morning (Dawn)
Best Time to Fish for Catfish: Early Morning (Dawn)
The early morning hours, right before and during dawn, are considered one of the best times to fish for catfish, particularly in warmer months. This period offers a few key benefits for catfish anglers:
- Cooler Water Temperatures: During the early morning hours, the water is typically cooler than later in the day. Catfish are more likely to be active during these temperatures, which can increase their feeding behavior.
- Increased Feeding Activity: After a long night of feeding, catfish are still actively searching for food during dawn. They are typically found near the bottom of the lake or river, where they forage for food, making them more accessible to anglers.
- Lower Fishing Pressure: Many anglers tend to fish during mid-day, so fishing during the early morning hours allows you to take advantage of less pressure on the catfish population.
Best Tips:
- Focus on deeper areas of water near structure such as submerged rocks, logs, or drop-offs.
- Use scent-based baits, such as cut bait, chicken liver, or stink baits, as catfish are naturally attracted to these types of bait during early morning.
Late Morning to Early Afternoon
Best Time to Fish for Catfish: Late Morning to Early Afternoon
As the sun rises and the day warms up, catfish tend to become less active. During the late morning to early afternoon, catfish often retreat to deeper, cooler waters to escape the heat. While this is generally not considered the best time to catch catfish, you can still be successful if you target specific areas:
- Deeper Water: As the water warms up, catfish move to cooler, deeper areas of the body of water. They are less likely to be in shallow, sunlit areas.
- Slower Currents: In rivers, look for slower-moving water where catfish can conserve energy and avoid strong currents.
- Catfish Resting Habits: Catfish often rest during the middle of the day, making them less active. However, they still need to eat, so patience is key when fishing at this time.
Best Tips:
- Consider using live bait such as minnows or worms that move naturally in the water, enticing the catfish.
- Use a slower retrieve when fishing to give the catfish more time to locate your bait.
Evening (Dusk)
Best Time to Fish for Catfish: Evening (Dusk)
The evening hours, just before and during sunset, can be another prime time for catfish fishing. As the sun sets and the water cools down, catfish become more active and begin their feeding cycle for the night. Here’s why the evening is a great time to catch catfish:
- Cooling Water Temperatures: The cooling water temperature at dusk encourages catfish to move into shallower waters, where they are more likely to feed.
- Increased Activity: As night approaches, catfish become more active, foraging for food before the darkness of night sets in. They are more likely to be found near the shoreline or in areas with structure.
- Nighttime Preparation: The evening hours are often seen as a transition period, where catfish are preparing for the night’s feeding frenzy. This makes dusk a prime time for catfish to be on the hunt.
Best Tips:
- Use flashy lures such as spinnerbaits or crankbaits that attract catfish with visual cues.
- Target shallower areas or near structures like fallen trees, rocks, or weed beds where catfish might be feeding.
Nighttime
Best Time to Fish for Catfish: Nighttime
Night fishing for catfish is one of the most popular and effective methods, especially during the summer months. Catfish are nocturnal feeders, meaning they are more active at night when the water is cooler and food sources are abundant. Here’s why nighttime is considered one of the best times to fish for catfish:
- Prime Feeding Time: As night falls, catfish become highly active, seeking food throughout the dark waters. They are especially attracted to scent-based baits, making night fishing an excellent time to use stink baits, cut bait, or chicken liver.
- Cooler Water Conditions: During hot summer days, the night provides a respite from the heat, which encourages catfish to become more active and move to shallower waters for feeding.
- Reduced Fishing Pressure: Night fishing offers reduced competition from other anglers, allowing you to enjoy a quieter fishing experience. This can increase your chances of success, especially in popular fishing spots.
Best Tips:
- Use scent-oriented baits such as stink baits, cut bait, or chicken liver that release strong smells into the water.
- Fish near drop-offs, underwater structures, and shallow flats where catfish are likely to congregate at night.
- Bring along a good flashlight or headlamp to navigate your way to your fishing spot.
How Time of Year Impacts Catfish Fishing
The best time of day to fish for catfish can vary depending on the time of year. In warmer months, catfish tend to be more active at night due to cooler water temperatures. In colder months, catfish may be more likely to feed during the day, particularly in the afternoon when the water temperature is slightly higher.
- Spring and Fall: During these transitional seasons, catfish are more likely to be active throughout the day, especially in the cooler temperatures of early morning and evening.
- Summer: In hot summer months, catfish are typically more active during the cooler night hours, making nighttime fishing the best option. You can still catch them during early morning and late evening, but expect less activity in the middle of the day.
- Winter: In colder months, catfish are less active overall and tend to feed less frequently. However, fishing during warmer parts of the day, such as early afternoon, may increase your chances.
Bait and Lure Choices Based on Time of Day
Your choice of bait and lures plays an important role in your success at different times of the day:
- At Night: Catfish are more likely to rely on their sense of smell at night, so scent-oriented baits such as stink baits, cut bait, and chicken liver work best. These baits release strong odors into the water that attract catfish from a distance.
- During the Day: In the daytime, catfish rely more on their vision, so flashy lures like spinnerbaits or crankbaits that mimic the movement of smaller fish are more effective. You can also use live bait such as minnows or worms, which move naturally through the water.
Be sure to check out our article on the best spinning rod and reel combo for catfishing! You should also check out our article on the best rigs for catfish fishing!
Also learn how to catch catfish from the bank in our youtube video!
Conclusion
Understanding the best time of day to catch catfish is key to improving your fishing success. While catfish are most active during the night, early morning and evening hours also present excellent opportunities to land a big catch. Your fishing strategy should vary depending on the time of day, the time of year, and the type of bait or lure you use. Whether you prefer the quiet of dawn, the heat of midday, the coolness of dusk, or the darkness of night, there’s always a good time to fish for catfish if you know when and how to target them. Happy fishing!