Florida's Top Catfish Spots
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 Anglers perhaps think first of the Florida largemouth
bass and various other members of the
sunfish family, (bluegill, redear and black crappie) when they think
of freshwater fishing in the Sunshine State. However, many
anglers prefer to target catfish. These anglers find the consistency of
catching catfish, the less stringent regulations, simpler techniques and
greater shoreline accessibility all to be great incentives. Moreover,
there is a diversity of catfish species found in Florida that provide
not only fodder for the deep fat fryer but also trophy opportunities
equal to any of Florida's more heralded species.
The largest of our catfish are the blue catfish and flathead catfish,
which are found primarily in north Florida rivers. The state records for
these fish are 61.5 and 48.4 pounds, respectively. Channel catfish, the same species raised throughout the south
in aquaculture farms for grocery stores, and can also attain less
impressive sizes.
The
state record channel catfish weighed 44.5 pounds, while the record for
its smaller cousin, the white catfish, is 18.9 pounds. FWC's Big Catch Angler Recognition Program provides certificates
for individuals catch channel cats longer than 31 inches or white cats
over 22 inches. Closely related to these other catfish are the abundant,
but relatively smaller rown and yellow
bullheads which have a rounded tail, rather than a forked tail.
Obvious trademarks of the catfish family are their long
“whiskers”, or barbells, adjacent to the mouth. These
whiskers are loaded with sensory cells that enable catfish to
locate their food by smell. Take advantage of this by using
baits with strong odors: chicken liver or gizzards, shrimp, cut
mullet and commercial stinkbaits. Other baits work well too,
especially earthworms, and occasionally freshwater clams. Many
catfish become active just before dusk and at night, and fishing
success is best during these times.
Channel catfish, white catfish and bullheads are a great
starting point for kids, since simple equipment fished from the
shore or a pier can provide consistent action.
Whether you are a catfish enthusiast or just looking for a little
diversity in your fishing opportunities during one of those times the
other fish seem to have lock-jaw, you may want to check out some of
these top ten catfish holes.
TOP CATFISHING SPOTS 2006
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1.
Escambia River (north of Pensacola) |
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Species: Channel catfish,
blue catfish, flathead catfish
When: Big
channel catfish from mid-April through June and early October into
November if the water stays warm. Small catfish can be caught
year-round, but expect the action to slow when it is cold.
Where: Alabama state line to I-10 Bridge.
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2.
Apalachicola River (from
Florida/Georgia state line at Chattahoochee, flows south to city of
Apalachicola) |
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Species: Channel catfish and
flathead catfish
When: Big channel catfish from late May into early
June. Flatheads
pick up in April and action runs into the summer months. Small catfish
can be caught pretty much year-round, but the spring and summer months
are best.
Where: River bends and snags from Jim Woodruff Dam south, old creek channels,
Lake Seminole backwaters, and around mouths of tributaries.
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3.
Choctawhatchee River (northwest of Panama City) |
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Species: Channel
catfish and bullhead. Flathead catfish are also in the river in
increasing numbers and can exceed 30 pounds. Several years ago,
biologists collected a 46½ pound channel catfish, which was measured and
released. Had this fish been caught by an angler, it would have been a
new state record.
When: Big
channel catfish from May through early July, and October into November
if the water stays warm. Small cats are available year-round, but expect
them to bite slow when it is cold.
Where: Alabama
state line south to West Bay, and around the mouth of Holmes Creek and
other tributaries. Most larger catfish are found in the northern
portion of the river.
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4.
St. Johns River and Dunn's Creek
(flows north through eastern Florida
over 250 miles from Indian River County to Jacksonville) |
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Species:
Bullhead, channel catfish, and white catfish
When:
Big channel catfish from early May through June. Small catfish can be
caught pretty much year-round, but fishing is best in the spring and
fall months.
Where:
Dunn's Creek to Lake Crescent, Murphy's Creek from the St. Johns River
to Dunn's Creek, and the river from Palatka to Little Lake George. Try
the hole on the North side of Buffalo Bluff Bridge, but bring plenty of
hooks and weights, since lots of snags will cost you some tackle.
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5.
Oklawaha River (east of Ocala) |
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Species:
Bullhead, channel catfish, and white catfish
When:
Big channel catfish from May through June, and in October until mid
November. Small catfish can be caught year-round.
Where:
Rodman Dam to the St. Johns River, and the west end of Rodman Reservoir
to Moss Bluff lock and dam. Catfish tend to concentrate below Rodman
Dam in the spring.
How: Put soy cake
around fallen trees the day before fishing to attract catfish. When the
water is clear, fishing at night is recommended.
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6.
Ochlockonee River (west of Tallahassee) |
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Species:
Bullhead and channel, flathead, and white catfish
When:
Beginning in April for flathead catfish, and mid-May into early summer
for channel catfish. Both channels and flatheads bite until the water
turns cold in October or November. Small catfish bite year-round, but
slow down in cold months.
Where:
River-wide, especially in the Talquin tail-race area.
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7.
Suwannee/Santa Fe River
(flow south from North Central Florida to “Big Bend” area) |
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Species:
Bullhead, channel catfish, and white catfish
When:
Big channel catfish from late April through June. Small catfish bite
pretty much year-round.
Where:
Limerock areas throughout the river, but particularly upper and middle
reaches; deadfalls are best in lower river.
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8.
Clermont Chain of Lakes (near the city of Clermont) |
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Species:
Channel and white catfish
When:
Spring and fall are best, but fish can be taken year-round.
Where: Off-shore, open-water areas, particularly near
drop-offs or around bottom structure. Canals and channels that connect
lakes of the Chain may also be attractive to catfish during times of
flow.
How: Some commercial
trotliners catch catfish with chunks of freshly caught gar in bigger
channels and with honey bees in smaller channels of this system.
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9.
Haines Creek (near Eustis) |
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Species:
Bullhead, channel catfish, and white catfish
When: Big channel catfish from mid-April
through June, and October and November as water temperatures begin to
drop. Small cats will bite year-round, especially where there water is
flowing.
Where: The creek between Lakes Eustis and
Griffin, especially below the lock and dam.
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10.
Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes (south of Orlando) |
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Species: Bullhead, channel
catfish, and white catfish
When: Big channel
catfish experience peak spawning periods between April and June.
Bullheads primarily spawn from October into November, but can spawn
year-round. Moving water will concentrate catfish and make them easier
to catch, so areas with flow are recommended.
Where: C-31 (East Lake Canal), C-35 (Southport Canal), C-36
(canal between Lake Cypress and Lake Hatchineha) and C-37 (canal between
Lake Hatchineha and Lake Kissimmee), below the Kissimmee River structure
(S-65), around mouth of and in Shingle Creek, and in the lake proper
around fish attractors. Catfish are often found near drop-offs or
around bottom structure in the canals.
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11.
Southwest Florida Lakes |
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Species:
Channel catfish and bullhead
Where: Many
locations in southwest Florida offer excellent opportunities for
catfish angling, including:
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Lakes 2,3,4,5, B, and Picnic at Tenoroc Fish Management Area
(Polk County)
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Lakes LP2 West, Haul Road Pit, and Pine East at Mosaic Fish
Management Area (Polk County)
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Lakes 1 and 3 at Hardee Lakes Park (Hardee County)
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Lake Manatee (Manatee County)
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Medard Park (Hillsborough County)
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Ponds managed under the Tampa Bay Urban Fishery Program,
particularly Dover District Park and Stephen J. Wortham
Park.
When: Catfish
angling is best during the warmer months, but these fish can be
caught year-round. While fishing can be good throughout the
day, catfish are usually most active in the morning and
evening. Fishing at night can reward anglers with outstanding
results.
How:
Fish are usually best caught fishing on the bottom using a wide
variety of baits from chicken liver to commercial stinkbaits.
Larger catfish can be caught on small shiners and minnows fished
near the bottom. In lakes and ponds managed with automatic fish
feeders, catfish concentrate near these feeders and can be caught on
small pieces of dog food, bread, and hot dogs. Channel catfish
typically school where the bottom drops off sharply to deeper
water. They usually do not hide within vegetation, but can be
found along deeper, outside edges of weed beds.
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