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Georgia - Fishing for Cats
Whether you are located in northeast or south
Georgia, there probably is a great catfishing opportunity located near
you! Angling for catfish has a broad appeal because there are elements
that can attract and hook a novice or an expert, according to the
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD).
In order to attract those who are unfamiliar with catfish or to give
those experienced anglers a new view WRD has put together information on
where to fish, recommended equipment, techniques and more.
Trying to reel in a catfish is a favorite pastime of many anglers in
Georgia, and we are fortunate that we have so many locations where this
experience can be enjoyed, says WRD Chief of Fisheries Management Chuck
Coomer. Catfish typically can be found in waters close to home, they
require relatively simple gear and they taste great on the dinner table
all leading to good reasons to get out and fish!
There are several kinds of catfish, including flathead, channel, bullheads
and white. Following is a breakdown of some catfish hot spots in Georgia:
- Lake Nottely Contains good populations of channel and white
catfish (averaging one pound or less) and fewer (but larger) flathead
catfish (weighing up to 40 pounds).
- Lake Tugalo Contains an abundant population of white catfish.
- Lake Marbury (Fort Yargo State Park) Supports an excellent
population of channel catfish.
- Flint River Great location for flathead (5-30 pounds) or channel
catfish.
- Andrews Lock and Dam (Chattahoochee River) Best location in
southwest Georgia for catching a flathead catfish over 20 pounds.
- Lake Seminole Good catches of channel catfish available throughout
the summer.
- Altamaha River Great location for flathead catfish current state
record (67 lbs. 8 oz.) caught here. The current state record channel
catfish (44 lbs. 12 oz.) also caught on this river.
- Satilla River Excellent fishing available for channel catfish,
white catfish and several species of bullheads.
Southeast Georgia Public Fishing Areas (including Evans Co. PFA,
Paradise PFA, Hugh M. Gillis PFA and
Dodge Co. PFA) Some of the best
locations for channel catfish in southeast Georgia.
WRD recommends that anglers use a medium weight rod with either a
spincasting or a spinning reel. The species and the size of catfish should
dictate the fishing line used. For example if channel and white catfish
are your species of choice, WRD recommends 8-14 pound test line and medium
size hooks (6 or 8) under a bobber and fished on the bottom. If you are
trying to land a large flathead, heavy tackle is a must. Large spinning or
casting tackle with at least 20-50 pound test line with weights to keep
bait on the bottom. Baits that work best for channel, bullheads and white
catfish include, worms, liver, live minnows, cut bait and stink bait.
Recommended flathead bait includes live goldfish, bream and shiners.
Anglers on rivers should target deep holes that contain rock or woody
structures during the day and shallow sandbars and shoals near these deep
holes at dusk, dawn and night. The best time of the year to fish for
various species of catfish is from early spring up to the peak of summer.
-Georgia WRD
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