Everyone thinks summer is catfish time. Wrong. Summer is catfish nap time. They get sluggish in hot water.
The real magic happens in spring and early fall. When the water temperature hits 65-75°F (18-24°C), they get hungry and reckless.
In spring, they are spawning. They are aggressive and protective. In fall, they are fattening up for winter. Both are catfish “eating contests”.
Midnight Madness
Let’s get specific. If you only have one shot, fish from 10 PM to 2 AM. That’s the catfish happy hour.
Bigger catfish—the 30-pounders—hunt only in total darkness. They are shy giants. They wait until the moon is low or the sky is cloudy.
I once caught a 15-pound blue catfish at 1:17 AM. It felt like wrestling a wet log with a temper.
