Donka for catfish - how to catch catfish with donka

Donka for catfish is the most ancient way of catching this fish. Catfish are caught by casting from the shore and boats with various bottom gear. Among all the inhabitants of the ichthyofauna of our reservoirs, catfish enjoys special respect among fishermen. In adulthood, this fish reaches a weight of several tens of kilograms, and catching such a trophy is an honor for every fishing enthusiast.

Since catfish are a bottom-dwelling fish, catching catfish with a donk is the most effective. Donka is a catchy tackle that is used to catch the king of reservoirs both from a boat and from the shore. The design of the gear depends on the fishing conditions and the season in which the fishing takes place. We’ll look at how to catch a catfish on a donk and tie a rig with your own hands in this article.

Where and at what time of year do you catch catfish?

Like any other fish, catfish have periods of activity when it moves around a body of water in search of food, but even at this time, pits and undercuts in which potential food accumulates become their favorite stops.

During periods after puberty, the catfish does not like sunlight and prefers deep areas with silty and sandy soil. In small rivers with weak currents, this fish hides in the grass, even if the thickets are not far from the shore. The catfish searches for and even digs underwater caves, rests in the pipes of hydraulic structures and leads a sedentary lifestyle.

The period at the end of summer and beginning of autumn is considered the most productive for fishing by somyatniks and they go to the rivers for their cherished dream in the form of a many-kilogram trophy. This is the time when the rains begin and the water in reservoirs becomes cloudy, and other representatives of the aquatic world become active before the first cold weather.

If the angler manages to determine the site of the catfish, then 3–5 trophy specimens can be caught from one hole.

When studying a reservoir in search of a promising place for catching catfish, pay attention to the points where:

there are hydraulic structures, bridges and water pumping stations, with great depth and fast bottom current;
at the bends of the river, where there are eddies of water, whirlpools and areas overgrown with grass;
areas on the river with reverse flow, even if they are 5–10 meters from the shore;
deep places in the main channel, or old channel of the river;
there are perennial thickets of reeds, near which there are great depths;
there are fishing platforms or old boat piers and there are pits.

Finding the right place for fishing is 70% of success in catfish fishing and this point needs to be given special attention.

Old-timers who have been fishing in the same sections of the river for many years know where the holes are and where it is necessary to look for catfish first. Just don’t forget that new promising places appear every season and it’s important to be careful to discover them.

If you have a boat and an echo sounder, the search task is simplified and even those fishermen who fish from the shore will definitely use the opportunity to use search technology. In its absence, a weight on a rope is used, with the help of which the river bottom is “tapped” for the presence of holes and undercuts.

Such a search takes more time and will require greater physical effort, but the reward in the form of trophy fish compensates for all losses.

On artificial reservoirs, the deepest places are near the dam, and that’s where you need to look for catfish holes and trophy fish. In May, the catfish finally “wakes up” after the winter cold and periodically goes out into shallow water in search of food. In places less than two meters deep, it is useless to find it, and this also applies to young animals. In July and August, catfish fishing from the shore is especially productive, although it can also be caught from a boat quite successfully.

The inconvenience of fishing from a boat is that you often have to wait a long time for a bite and you need to remain quiet so as not to spook the fish. Not everyone will like sitting in a boat for a long time and motionless, so it’s easier to catch a trophy on a coastal bottom. Having discovered catfish parking areas, you should place shore gear in a place where there is a convenient entry into the water, because landing a large catfish will require not only dexterity and skill, but also space.

Usually fishing is carried out with several donks in order to brighten up the wait for a bite and increase the chances of a good catch. In summer, catfish bite better at night, when they go hunting in search of prey. If you can find paths along which fish pass, then there is a high probability that they will appear there on subsequent nights, so it is important to remember the place of passage.

Both large and small catfish do not like the heat, from which they hide in every possible way, but during summer rain or windy weather the likelihood of being caught increases significantly. With sudden changes in temperature, cold weather or a drop in pressure, the catfish bite practically stops and if you manage to catch fish at such a time, then this is rather an exception to the rule.

Catfish preferences depending on season

The behavior of the fish also depends on the weather and water temperature. It has been noticed that in the spring, catfish bite in the pits and in the area adjacent to them closer to lunch, and respond well to quok. This is due to the warming of the water and the emergence from wintering shelters.

At the beginning of summer, the same bite is observed in the morning and evening hours. Catfish actively moves around the reservoir in search of food; it can be caught both at depth and in shallows, especially with rocky rifts.

In summer, night fishing shows the best results. Be sure to place one of the bottoms in a quiet pool, especially if the bait is a frog; in warm weather, the catfish prefers such places.

Worsening weather and lowering water temperatures change the behavior of the catfish; it actively feeds. It bites better during the day than at night. In autumn it is more often found near holes, less often in shallow water, and loves the accumulation of other fish species. The most active bite is observed at dawn.

Important! Catfish can hardly be called shy, he is cautious, so try not to make noise, he loves silence, the only sound he likes is the kwok.

Varieties of catfish donks

Despite the fact that the catfish are very large, not every angler can catch a catfish weighing more than 15–20 kilograms on a donk. You need to be prepared for any surprises, and therefore the main requirement for catfish donks is the reliability and durability of the gear.

Such gear is:

with a fishing rod (spinning rod);
without a rod, with fastening on the shore to a strong pole;
multi-hook type - elastic bands.

Catfish are also caught using a net, but only if the size of the reservoir allows it. This fish can also be caught on a feeder with a method rig , but if there is a trophy fish on the hook, it will not be easy to get it into the landing net.

Place and time

More often, catching catfish on a donk from the shore is carried out at night, and from a boat they catch it during the day using a quok. It is its gurgling sounds that attract attention and promote activity.

The choice of location is important. Catfish love holes, and exits from the depths are also promising areas. On an unfamiliar body of water, use an echo sounder; if you don’t have one, try talking to the locals. On rivers, you can look for depressions by measuring the bends and turns of the riverbed.

Donka with a spinning rod

Donka with a spinning rod is the optimal equipment option, providing:

reliability of gear;
convenience when re-casting;
comfortable fishing.

It is better to cast tackle over a long distance with the help of a rod, as well as to fish out a trophy caught on a hook.

In addition, by working with a fishing rod, the fisherman manages to dampen the jerks of the fish and gradually bring it to the shore, where the landing net awaits. Donks can also be delivered from a boat, but in this case you need to be prepared for serious physical activity and there is no talk of outdoor recreation.

Choosing a spinning rod for catfish donkey

Spinning rods for catfish must withstand high traction loads and the best choice is marine blanks adapted to catching strong fish. For many years, fishermen have been catching catfish on metal spinning rods, but with a significant margin of safety, they are also heavy and it is quite difficult to land fish from a long distance.

Carp blanks with a dough of 3.5-4 Lb are also suitable, capable of lifting fish weighing 10 kg or more. After a bite, the catfish “presses” and tends downwards, so to lift it and bring it into the landing net you need a carbon rod with a hard tip. Feeder blanks are not suitable for catching catfish, even if they have a large test and fast action.

When going fishing, fishermen try to get as much information as possible about the reservoir and its inhabitants. If there is a trophy catfish in a river or lake, the rod needs to have a margin of strength and reliability. Catfish rods adapted for catching this strong fish are also sold, but only catfish rods buy them, since they are not suitable for other types of fishing.

Unlike carp fishing, when catching catfish, power casts over long distances are not used, so the requirements for the casting characteristics of the forms are lower than for carp rods. On the other hand, when landing a catfish, first of all, it needs to be lifted from the bottom of the reservoir and the traction power of the form is more important than the sending power. A rod length of 2.70-3.00 is enough to catch trophy fish.

Coil

The first catfish donks with spinning rods were equipped with inertial reels, because there was no alternative to them. Modern donkeys are equipped with inertia-free or marine-type multiplier reels with reliable mechanisms and a large margin of safety.

A multiplier is better, since the design of the reel prevents the cord from tangling during fishing, but the cost of such a reel is higher than that of a spinning reel.

When choosing a reel, pay attention to its:

reliability;
functionality and protection from warp overlaps;
moisture protection;
spool size;
number of bearings;
spool line capacity;
price.

The size of the spool is especially important, because when catching a large catfish, the fisherman has to make great efforts to pull the fish to the shore. Therefore, the larger the size of the spool, the more fishing line is wound in one revolution of the reel and the faster the fish is pulled to the shore.

On the other hand, when fishing, you have to release the line in order to tire the fish and prevent the equipment from breaking. A properly configured friction brake of the reel helps with this and makes it easier for the angler to get the trophy into the landing net. Even when fishing at close range, 100–150 meters of cord are wound onto the reel spool so that there is a supply of main fishing line for safely landing trophy catfish.

If the fishing distance is large, then the amount of cord on the spool should be greater, in the appropriate proportion.

Important! To comfortably fish for a trophy catfish, you need to have at least 50-100 meters of cord on the reel spool.

The weight of the reel for catfishing does not play a decisive role, because during fishing the rod lies on the stands and the fisherman picks it up only to make a hook and bring the fish into the landing net. The same applies to the number of bearings and there is no need to buy a reel with more than 6 bearings, it is more reliable and will last longer.

Somyat fishermen prefer to buy reels for sea fishing that have all the best qualities for catching trophy fish, including catfish. Such reels are resistant to aggressive environments, salt water, and with regular maintenance they will last a long time.

Useful tips for beginners

If you catch catfish from a boat using hooks, never wrap the line around your hand when fishing. A trophy catch, making jerks, can easily harm or fish you out.
After hooking, carefully throw the cord away from you so as not to get tangled in your own gear.
Do not go out on a night fishing boat alone, especially in a rubber boat.
When catching a large specimen, do not load it into an unstable boat. Moor to the shore and continue the fight there.
When fishing from the shore at night, assess the place before dark. If necessary, clean the area where the traps will be installed.
Decide where you will get potential prey and where the catfish might go. Try to avoid the proximity of snags, remember the catch is in no hurry to become land-dwelling.
When biting, do not untie the hook from a strong support; it will help preserve, if not the trophy, then the tackle.
When fishing with a donkey with a reel, be sure to loosen the clutch after installation.
For night fishing, use fireflies or bells, they will help you not miss a bite.

Successful fishing depends on several factors:

good tackle;
correct place and time of activity;
bait.

Experience plays a big role in fishing, but this is a learning experience. There may be like-minded people nearby who are ready to help, because even an experienced fisherman may not be able to cope with a giant alone. Tell your personal stories and add tips to the article in the comments below. This video will be useful and informative:

Fishing line for catfish

Despite the fact that not every catfish caught weighs 10 kilograms or more, reliable and durable gear is selected for catching this fish, and this also applies to the main fishing line.

Here the fisherman has to solve a difficult problem, because thick fishing lines with a large margin of safety can scare off cunning fish that are distrustful of all unfamiliar objects. If you take an inconspicuous fishing line of a smaller diameter, it will not withstand the jerks of a trophy fish and the tackle will break at the most inopportune moment.

As you know, the following are used as the basis for fishing tackle:

monofilament lines;
fluorocarbon fishing lines;
braided cords (fishing lines).

The best solution for choosing a base for catfish tackle is a dark-colored braided fishing line. Braid has the highest strength among all types of fishing lines with a small diameter, so catfish tackle is knitted on braid. At the bottom, such a base looks natural, reminiscent of aquatic vegetation, and does not frighten wary fish.

It is clear that bright colors of braid are undesirable, because this unmasks the entire tackle. The stores sell four- and eight-strand braided fishing line, and the second option is preferable, although it is more expensive. The eight-strand braid has a round shape along its entire length and the weaving of the threads is denser, which means the breaking load is greater.

The braided reel indicates how many wires are in it, so when purchasing a base for a donkey, it is not difficult to make the right choice. The rigidity of the braid is also important, because soft material, when wet, becomes more tangled, knots and puffs appear.

So, as a basis for the catfish donka, we take a rigid braid with a diameter of 0.25 and above, and it will cope with all the tasks.

Important! After fishing, be sure to dry the braid, this will extend its service life and maintain the strength of the base.

Hooks for catfish

The choice of hook for catching fish depends on the expected size of the fish in the catch, as well as on the size of the baits used, and this also applies to hooks for catching catfish. But at the same time, the edge of the catfish lip is hard and the hook must be wide enough to cut through the soft tissue.

The catfish has great strength and, when forced to fish, shakes its head, trying to free itself from the hook. The sharpness of the hook's tip determines how deeply it will penetrate the fish's lip and how reliable the hook will be.

Main characteristics of catfish hooks:

size;
The diameter of the wire;
the material from which the hook is made;
forearm length;
bend of the sting;
underhook width;
beard size;
sharpness.

Catching catfish using bottom tackle is not at all easy, and the fishing result depends on the sharpness and strength of the hook.

As an example, here is a small table of hook sizes for catching catfish of different sizes:

How to make donka for catfish

The construction of bottom gear requires a certain approach to the reliability of the material used in the collection. Since the catch can be significant in size and weight, and even provide strong resistance when fishing, you must initially plan on using accessories with an increased durability life. The thinness and miniature size of the equipment will allow you to attract and force the catfish to take the bait, but it will be almost impossible to remove it from the water. Somyatniks, adequately understanding these contradictions, consciously and deliberately go for the device of rougher installations, thereby reducing the likelihood of a bite, but increasing the success of capture. Let's look at how to properly make a donk for catfish using the example of the options for selecting elements of tackle recommended below, focusing on describing the characteristics and parameters of each of them in more detail.

Fishing rod for catfish

Crocodile rods are often used for catching catfish on a donk.
As reliable rods, we advise you to choose feeder versions of heavy carp plug gear no longer than three meters with high tests and medium types of action, which will allow you to quickly hook a fish that has taken the bait and at the same time, without fear of breakage fishing rods, exhaust the fish with a long struggle, using the ability to absorb shocks with a soft form of tackle. Reinforced rings, as well as the massive butt of the fishing rod, should not confuse the fisherman, because the intended catch will not tolerate the thinness of the tackle and will crush it at any opportunity.

Reel for catfish

Like the rod itself, the catfish reel is borrowed from carp fishing. The tackle is equipped with a massive spinning rod with a capacious spool and the ability to clip the cord. The volume of the spool should easily be able to accommodate hundred-meter sections of braided cord with a diameter of at least 0.3 mm. A prerequisite is the presence of a baitrunner reel and, of course, a friction brake in the device, which will protect the gear from loss and help more efficiently deal with caught fish.

Important! The gear ratio is not so important in this type of fishing and can be as small as desired, the main thing is that the traction force allows you to hold large masses without exposing the mechanism of the product to critical loads.

Fishing line for catfish

Rigid braided cords are more efficient in catfish fishing, allowing for finer control of fishing and providing a reliable feeling when fighting strong fish. Damping the efforts of a caught trophy is largely entrusted to the rod and reel, but preserving the catch directly depends on the parameters of the fishing line. Braided cords are used, starting from 0.3 mm. The color of the braid does not play a significant role, but shades of green tones are more acceptable, less noticeable in warm, algae-colored standing summer waters. At least one hundred meters of fishing line are wound onto the spools, avoiding knots and abrasions in its structure, which will significantly reduce the breaking loads of the accessory.

Hooks for catfish

Features of catching large catfish are the ability to use large and elastic hooks that reliably resist bending. On donks, hooks with a long shank made of thick wire and a sealed ring of a fastening element are used.

Important! The hook for catfish should have the tip bent inside its radius to reduce the likelihood of the bait bait spontaneously coming off.

The sharpened edge of the accessory allows you to avoid idle bites when the fish tries the bait, squeezed by the predator’s mouth in the area of the brush made of small and hard teeth.

Sinker for catfish

Lead forms in the form of cones and pyramids with the possibility of being firmly attached to the fishing line of the tackle are used as weights for hooks. The weights are selected based on the weight of the bait and casting distance. The method of mounting the load using the blind method does not in any way affect the number of bites, because even small catfish can easily lift hundred-gram lead ingots when biting without regard for caution, but it adds reliability to the gear, eliminating unnecessary friction of sliding loading options on the surface of the cord. When catching catfish from a boat on a donk, especially for elastic, it is possible to use a load in the form of a brick or other object that exceeds the weight of even a couple of kilograms.

Sinkers

The bottom is equipped not only with a fishing line and a hook, but also with a sinker, which presses the equipment to the bottom and falls into the visibility zone of fish suitable for the bait. Therefore, you need to disguise the load so that it does not scare away the fish. Lead sinkers are painted with dry camouflage paint, but there is a more interesting and economical solution - pebbles from a pond.

If the equipment for catfish is brought in by boat, then the flight qualities of the cargo do not matter at all, but an ordinary stone, of which there are thousands at the bottom of the reservoir, certainly will not frighten off the distrustful fish and the chances of successful fishing will only increase. Of course, you will have to take a larger stone than the lead weight, but you won’t have to throw it by hand, and the size is not as important as camouflage.

Advanced fishermen use carp fishing rigs with a dropped weight, and the use of pebbles in such cases is even more justified. When dropping the load, it is easier to catch fish, because there is no extra weight, and the loss of a stone does not threaten additional material costs.

If catfish fishing is carried out from the shore by casting, then lead weights weighing 80 grams or more are used, it all depends on the strength of the current in the reservoir. Lead weights are also used in installing a catfish bait, because this tackle is thrown by hand and it is necessary for the load to fly well and far, delivering the equipment to the fishing point.

The following weights are mounted on catfish donks:

deaf;
inline (sliding).

The choice of a specific type of sinker depends on the design of the bottom and the fishing range, but sliding sinkers have advantages, since when biting the fish do not feel the weight of the load.

Device

The design of the tackle can be with or without a rod, it depends on the fishing location and the preferences of the fisherman. Taking into account the strength and weight of the fish, it is necessary to select appropriate tests.

Donka with a rod

For catching catfish, carp or sea fishing rods are suitable, equipped with a powerful reel and strong fishing line of at least 0.5 mm or braid that can withstand the pressure and resistance of large fish. Catfish hunt in the water column, so they often use an underwater float that lifts the bait. Installation is done blind or sliding. The bite is detected by the tip of the rod. It is imperative to use a sinker, the weight of which depends on the current in the reservoir and the chosen bait.

Attention! The stronger the current, the greater the weight of the load.

The leashes are knitted from high-quality fishing line that is 0.1 mm thinner than the main one. Choose only strong, proven hooks with a long shank that will not bend or break during fishing. The size depends on the bait and the expected catch, put No. 10 - No. 40.

Zakidushka or “cord”

Experienced fishermen make this device themselves, and it shows good results. The following can be used as a cord:

fishing line from 1 mm;
network;
thick silk thread;
strong twine.

A sinker is attached to the end and the first leash is tied at a distance of 40 cm. Often, for long-distance casting and fishing in strong currents, a simple stone tied with twine is used as a weight.

Important! There can be several leashes on the hook, which increases the effectiveness of the tackle.

Fishing with a line can be done from a boat, then the bite is recorded in the “hand” or the hook is tied to the side and an alarm is hung on it. Be prepared to ride as the big catfish won't go down without a fight.

Carefully ! Keep in mind that when fishing without a reel, braid and fishing line can cut your hands.

More often, such tackle is used on the shore, which creates inconvenience when long-distance casting is necessary. In this case, a boat is used to install the line, and fishing is done from the shore. The end of the bait is securely tied to a driven peg or the nearest bush, since when bitten, a large individual can drag away the tackle.

Donkey installation

After assembling and equipping the bottom fishing rod for catching catfish, all that remains is to make a catchable installation that is in direct contact with the fish.

To assemble the catfish mount you will need:

leash with hook or double;
reinforced swivel;
a piece of cord with a diameter of 0.3 mm and a length of 45 cm;
two mounting beads;
two sliding weights (weighing 80 grams and above);
American type quick release swivel.

The installation of the bottom tackle is done in advance and already on the reservoir it is attached to the base using the loop-to-loop method, or using a swivel with a quick release.

In order to do the installation you need:

tie a reinforced swivel to the end of the cord;
pull the mounting beads onto the cord and lower them to the swivel;
put weights on the cord;
attach a swivel with a quick release to the end of the cord;
tie a leash to the lower swivel.

As you can see, installation is very simple and is easy to do even for a beginner in fishing. But at the same time, the installation is catchy, both in currents and in still water, and simplicity is an advantage, not a disadvantage.

Sliding weights are used in order not to spook the fish, and at the same time, if the gear breaks, the catfish can always free itself from the weight, and then from the hook. The beads are needed to prevent weights from hitting the knot with which the swivel is tied, and two pieces are placed in order to avoid accidental damage to the knot if one bead breaks.

The length of the leash is 25–30 cm, the hook can be tied with any fishing knot. The diameter of the braid from which the leash is knitted should be 0.05 mm thinner than the diameter of the main fishing line. This is necessary so that when the tackle is hooked and forcefully pulled out, only the hook breaks, and all other elements remain in place.

Donka with an underwater float

It is a big mistake to think that the catfish takes the bait exclusively from the bottom of the reservoir, and you only need to catch it by pressing the equipment with a heavy load. As practice shows, this fish also feeds in the bottom layer, and often a raised bait turns out to be more attractive to representatives of the catfish family.

To knit a donkey with an underwater float you will need:

leash 1.5 meters long;
2 hooks;
carabiner with quick release;
silicone tube 15 cm long;
sliding weight;
underwater float;
used firefly for feeder or float fishing;
stopper

Installation of equipment with an underwater float on a catfish:

a hook is tied to the leash using a knotless knot;
a tube 10 cm long, put on a leash, stretched and pulled onto the hook;
the second hook is threaded into the tube so that the ends of the hooks are directed in different directions;
The second hook is tied to the leash using a knotless knot;
the rest of the tube is put on the leash and on the second hook;
the float is put on the leash, pulled all the way to the tube and secured with a firefly;
a carabiner is tied on the back of the leash;
a stopper is put on the main cord;
then a sliding weight is put on;
the load is secured with a second stopper;
the base is tied to a carabiner.

This equipment is more complex and in it two hooks “look” in different directions and are located at different heights. The bait on the hooks is the same and the fish itself chooses which one is more attractive. The equipment with a float is brought in on a boat, because throwing it by hand and not getting tangled is difficult even for experienced fishermen, not to mention beginners.

The disadvantage of such equipment is that if the hook becomes dull, it is problematic to replace it; you will have to re-tie the entire equipment. Sharpening of hooks is allowed and for this purpose needle files with a fine notch or special sharpeners for hooks are used.

Catfish baits

Catfish is a predatory fish and its diet is very wide.
It contains not only small fish, but also other aquatic inhabitants. Therefore, the following baits are used when fishing for catfish:

grasshoppers;
frogs;
locusts;
worms;
mussels;
squid;
mole cricket;
meat.

As you can see, the list of catchable baits is large, but on a reservoir you have to experiment in order to select a bait that works in the existing conditions.

Catfish Snack

In cases where catfish fishing is carried out at short distances, a cast without a rod is used. The advantage of this gear is its simplicity of design, but it is offset by serious disadvantages.

It is very difficult to hook a large trophy and bring it to the shore manually, the fishing line cuts your hands and if the catfish actively resists, it will simply break the equipment. The rod absorbs the jerks of the fish and with its help, fishing is greatly simplified. Therefore, a catfish donka without a rod is used when catching fish up to 5 kg, and if a trophy of greater weight is bitten, such tackle will be useless.

Features of fishing from a boat

Donka is often used when catching catfish in pits. In order to determine the location of the recesses, several casts are made. Particular attention is paid to the bends of the river. Many fishermen use an echo sounder, which allows them to get a picture of the topography of the bottom of the reservoir. Also, to determine the most catchy places, you can ask avid fishermen. Often catfish hunt in the same space. Donks are also placed near reeds, water lilies, and under trees.

Quite often, catfishing is done from a boat. Using a boat to catch this fish has many advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include:

You can place a fishing boat near the hole in which catfish will be caught. This significantly increases control over the process.
Precise bait delivery increases the catch.
You can use short tackle with a thin line, since a short distance determines a significant reduction in the load on fishing equipment.

The following disadvantages should also be noted:

The catfish has a lot of weight and resists being fished for a very long time. When fishing from a boat, the fisherman is in an unstable position, which makes fishing even more difficult;
There are certain complications when fishing at night. There is great danger associated with going out at night on a rubber boat. If a large specimen is biting, the swing will be quite strong;
the difficulty of landing a trophy specimen increases significantly.

Techniques and tactics of bottom fishing for catfish with spinning rod

Catching catfish is most effective at night. You have to wait for hours for a bite, especially if you are hunting for large trophies, so the fisherman needs to create all the amenities and secure the gear. A large catfish is quite capable of dragging the rod into the water after biting, so the blanks are securely fixed on the shore, and the friction brake of the reel is weakened.

Somyatniks use from 3 to 10 rods mounted on racks for fishing. The alarms are mechanical or electronic, there is no big difference. Catfish bites are sharp and powerful, it is difficult to miss them and all that remains is to apply maximum effort in order to get the trophy into the landing net.

With the appearance of the first rays of the sun, you can stop fishing for catfish and return to the shore of the reservoir in the evening, when it begins to get dark. If the fishing location is chosen correctly, as well as the tackle and bait, the likelihood of catching a trophy catfish increases significantly.

Experienced somyat fishermen know well the places on the reservoirs where large individuals live, but luck will certainly come to beginners who make maximum efforts. After a bite, you can’t force the fish to fish and, using the friction brake, you need to tire the fish and calmly bring it to the landing net. A large catfish resists to the end and only if bubbles appear on the surface of the water does this mean that the fish gives up.

Fishing for catfish gives unique emotions, and rewards those who are patient with worthy trophies. Therefore, when favorable conditions arise, go to the reservoirs and try your luck in trophy fishing.

fish weighing up to 10 kg	4–6 numbers according to the European classification
fish weighing 1–15 kg	hooks 2–4 numbers
catfish weighing more than 15 kg	hooks 1-1.0 numbers