Winter catfish fishing
When temperatures drop and waters cool, catfish lovers know: it's the ideal time to try a different approach and win over this giant. Winter offers the perfect setting to target the often wary catfish. Today, I'm talking about a captivating method that combines technology and tradition: the "Clonk teaser".
An old method sometimes revisited
The teaser is a kind of lure consisting of a lead dressed with feathers, fibers or colored materials that imitate moving prey. The teaser is attached directly to the braid, which is ideally strong enough (30/100).
It can also be connected to a 100/100 fluorocarbon leader when discretion is required. This prevents the braid from vibrating as the water moves and helps maximise the chances of catching a wary sheatfish.
Earthworms, timeless baits
Simple and effective, earthworms are a sure-fire way to attract catfish, especially in winter. The secret lies in their ability to give off a natural scent that attracts these predators despite the cold. Set on a single or treble hook, this bait is perfectly suited to winter conditions. On a single hook, my advice is not to overload the hook: ideally, 3 or 4 worms pricked in the middle are enough.
Opt for a slow, steady animation, taking into account the mood of the fish. If the catfish is in a shy mood, coming to see the rig but not taking it, try a static animation. Occasionally, they will emerge from the fishfinder cone, disappearing from the screen, but that doesn't mean they've gone! In this case, don't move for a few seconds: no fins, no montage!
The clonk, a useful helping hand in certain cases
Using the clonk is a technique that may seem complicated, but continues to prove its worth. Properly handled, this special "stick" produces a sound on contact with the water that arouses the curiosity of catfish and encourages them to move. Mastering the clonk may seem difficult at first, but once you've got the hang of it, you're in business!
In winter, this method is particularly effective for stimulating fish that are sometimes not very active. But beware: if used excessively, the clonk may scare off your target. Don't clonk like a madman - it's not a magic wand that attracts catfish! Vary the rhythms and start the session without clonk. Try a slow animation, lifted 50 cm to 1 m above the bottom, and watch your sounder.
If no catfish show up, start slowly with the clonk: 3 or 4 shots at first, then watch. If a catfish comes up slowly and then goes down, try a single, dry shot of the clonk as it comes down. If it comes back up, it will often end up tapping!
An experience to live
Winter catfish fishing with this approach is much more than a simple technique: it's total immersion in an environment where every detail counts. The combination of float-tube fishing, a perfect depth-sounder reading and a precise approach to fishing spots promises sessions combining strategy and adrenalin.
It's up to you to rise to the challenge and arouse your curiosity. And who knows? Maybe you'll meet this water giant and experience an unforgettable fishing session.
