Catfish
UncommonFreshwater
Hunts almost entirely by smell in murky or deep water rather than by sight, which is why scent-soaked bait consistently outfishes artificial lures. A stationary bait soak near a deep hole usually beats active casting.
Profile
- Fight: 8/10
- Trophy: 8/10
- Wariness: 3/10
- Abundance: 6/10
- Aggression: 3/10
- Table: 6/10
- Typical weight
- 3.3–13.2 lbs (1.5–6.0 kg)
- Record
- 132.3 lbs (60.0 kg)
Season
- Jan: 20%
- Feb: 20%
- Mar: 30%
- Apr: 45%
- May: 60%
- Jun: 75%
- Jul: 80%
- Aug: 75%
- Sep: 65%
- Oct: 45%
- Nov: 25%
- Dec: 20%
Seasonality shown is typical for temperate North America — your local waters may vary.
Time of day
- 12 AM: 70%
- 1 AM: 78%
- 2 AM: 82%
- 3 AM: 85%
- 4 AM: 80%
- 5 AM: 55%
- 6 AM: 25%
- 7 AM: 12%
- 8 AM: 8%
- 9 AM: 6%
- 10 AM: 5%
- 11 AM: 5%
- 12 PM: 6%
- 1 PM: 6%
- 2 PM: 7%
- 3 PM: 8%
- 4 PM: 12%
- 5 PM: 20%
- 6 PM: 35%
- 7 PM: 55%
- 8 PM: 70%
- 9 PM: 80%
- 10 PM: 78%
- 11 PM: 74%
Conditions
Temp68–81°F (20–27°C)
Depth7–33 ft (2–10 m)
PressureAny
LightLow light
Lures
Tips
- Use scent-heavy bait — catfish hunt primarily by smell in murky water.
- Target deep holes and channels, especially in warmer months.
- An overnight bait soak in a known hole is a proven catfish tactic.
Live bite index for your spot
Vobbl scores today’s weather against this species’ profile, hour by hour, wherever you fish.