Catfish Noodling Instructions
- 1). Wade into the water near a place where there are underwater holes near the bank of a river or lake with a known flathead catfish population. These holes may even be old rotted hollow Cyprus logs or under stumps at the water's edge. If the water is shallow enough, you may need to get wet only from the waist down except for your arms.
- 2). Reach into one of the large holes under the water. In some cases, this will require that you become submerged to reach deeply into the hole. Pay attention to what you feel at this point. If what you feel does not feel like any part of a fish, extract your arm and hand as quickly as possible because other less desirable creatures can occupy these holes. If it feels like a flathead catfish mouth, you are right where you want to be.
- 3). Move your hand and fingers over the fish's mouth until you reach inside. When the flathead catfish closes its mouth on your hand or fingers, grip the fish and pull it forward and out of the hole. After the fish takes your hand as bait, it is best if you grip the fish's lower lip and reach in with your other hand to catch a gill plate. This will give you better control as you extract the fish.
- 4). Call for help as you pull the fish from its den. If it is an exceptional creature, you will need extra hands to control it and to keep it from escaping. A net or gaff hook may be needed to secure the fish until it is safely pulled to shore.
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