For many Texas anglers, summer is the catfishing season. Though in Cedar Creek Lake, blues are more common than channels, there is still some great channel fishing to be had.

If you’re targeting channel catfish, here we will cover the basics of where to catch them, some tips and tricks to help you catch more, and the gear you will need to get the job done.

Where to Fish for Channel Cats

In the summertime when the weather becomes hot the channel cats tend to head deeper in waters at least 25 feet deep. They are searching for cooler waters with lower light conditions to escape the heat. Though, nighttime you can still catch them coming out into the shallows to feed.

Tips

Try Vertical Fishing

Summer often means vertical fishing when you’re after catfish. If you end up casting for them you’ll very likely get stuck on the brush if there is a lot of vegetation in the area you are fishing.

Make Contact with the Bottom

You need to let your bait make contact with the bottom and then reel it up about two reel turns. Pay close attention to your rod tip because sometimes the cats will just mouth your bait so if you notice a little action, be prepared to set your hook hard to really bury it.

Use Chicken Liver

For many anglers, chicken liver is a favorite for catching cats. The blood can attract catfish and it’s also pretty tough so it will stay on your hook pretty firmly. It’s also pretty budget-friendly, and widely available, so you really can’t go wrong with it.

If you’re not having luck with chicken liver, stink bait and cutbait also work well for channel catfish.

Gear

If you’re targeting larger catfish you may want a baitcasting rod for fighting these heavier fish. If you’re fishing smaller catfish you can get away with a medium to medium light spinning rod.

Read more about channel catfish fishing tips here.