| Seems like a no brainer, doesn't it? You just | | | | over the country. This is one of the things that |
| throw your bait and tackle in a bag, grab your | | | | makes catfishing so great. |
| interstate map, and hit the road. Actually, a good | | | | You might talk to some friends or folks down at |
| fishing trip depends more on planning than you | | | | the bait shop and see what they recommend. On |
| might imagine. You can always just hit the road, | | | | the other hand, since catfish are found all over |
| find a stream somewhere, and stand a good | | | | the country, why not just pick a pretty area you |
| chance of catching something. But, some good | | | | want to go anyway, and make that your |
| planning will make the trip go much smoother, and | | | | catfishing trip? I would recommend heading down |
| you'll enjoy your fishing vacation much more. | | | | south, or fishing in the tributaries of major rivers |
| What to Take | | | | like the Mississippi, Missouri, or Red River of |
| First off, make a checklist. I would recommend | | | | Oklahoma and Arkansas. |
| starting your checklist well before you leave for | | | | What Do You Want To Catch? |
| your trip. Include fishing gear like rods, bait, lures; | | | | Another thing to consider when deciding where to |
| clothes including boots, gloves and bad weather | | | | go, is whether you want to catch a bunch of little |
| gear like a poncho; tools for sharpening hooks and | | | | fish, or a couple of big ones. This might also |
| little things like that, and whatever else you need | | | | influence what gear you take. Certain parts of the |
| to keep yourself comfortable. When you pack, | | | | country are known for having lakes and streams |
| separate all these things in little bags within your | | | | full of tiny catfish that you can catch lots of. In |
| big bag, like a small bag for tools, one for fishing | | | | other places, there are giant cats prowling the |
| gear, etc. | | | | river bottoms, and you might get lucky and snag |
| Now, there will always be some little thing you'll | | | | one of them to take home. Fishing gear, method |
| forget. Each time you go on a trip, you'll end up | | | | and location will be different depending on what |
| getting there and smacking yourself on the | | | | you want to catch, so keep this in mind. |
| forehead, saying, "I can't believe I forgot THAT." | | | | Where to Stay |
| It's no problem; packing perfectly takes some | | | | Next, think about where you are going to stay. |
| practice. I guarantee that you won't forget it next | | | | Most of us head out on fishing trips, especially |
| time, and after several catfishing outings, you'll | | | | long ones, in order to get away from the city, |
| have packing down to a science. | | | | stress, hassles and everyday life. If that's what |
| Before you pack, you'll also have to think about | | | | you want, you might consider roughing it and |
| what fishing method you are going to use. For | | | | camping out somewhere near the fishing spot. |
| example, if you plan on wading into streams, you'll | | | | The only thing about that is it means taking |
| want to take the appropriate clothes and gear. If | | | | camping gear too, which means more preparation. |
| you're going to fish at night, don't forget lights. | | | | On the other hand, you can always stay in an RV |
| Whether your chumming, juglining or fly fishing, | | | | or a lodge, sleep at night in some comfort and |
| you'll need a whole different checklist of gear to | | | | luxury, and head out to the remote areas to fish |
| take. | | | | when you want to. I wouldn't say that any way is |
| Where to Go | | | | better; it's all up to the tastes of the angler. Just |
| The next question is where to go. Catfish are | | | | keep in mind that after all that time fishing, it |
| found in rivers, lakes and ponds all over the United | | | | might be nice to curl up in a nice warm bed! |
| States and well up into Canada. Probably the best | | | | Wherever you end up going, leave an itinerary |
| catfishing in the country is in the south and | | | | with information giving your whereabouts with |
| mid-west, from as far north as Missouri, Illinois, | | | | somebody. If you plan to explore, or you don't |
| Michigan and Ohio, and all the way down to the | | | | know exactly where you'll be, give them as |
| Gulf of Mexico and Texas. You can also find | | | | detailed information as possible. Nowadays, we all |
| catfish out west and further up north, so it really | | | | have cell phones, and that helps keep you safe |
| doesn't matter where you go. Ask any angler, | | | | when you're out in the wilds. Be sure to take |
| and they'll tell you that their neck of the woods is | | | | your charger. But one warning: Don't pick up the |
| the best, but the fact is, you can catch catfish all | | | | phone if it's a work-related call! |