What is catfish noodling?
Caught June 18th, 2015. Noodling is fishing for catfish using one's bare hands, and is practiced primarily in the southern United States. The noodler places their hand inside a discovered catfish hole. Many other names are used in different regions for the same activity.
How do you fish for catfish?
You can fish for Catfish in all kinds of surprising ways, from trolling to fly fishing to Catfish noodling (if you call that fishing). There are two classic tactics that bring in the most fish, though: still fishing and drift fishing. Still fishing is as simple as it is effective. Just present your bait and wait for something to take it.
Do you know which catfish you’re targeting?
You wouldn’t use the same tactics for a Steelhead as a Lake Trout, so knowing which Catfish you’re targeting is key to success. There are three main species of Catfish that anglers target in the US: Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, and Flathead Catfish.
Where can you catch channel catfish?
You can catch Channel Cats pretty much everywhere east of the Rocky Mountains and well into both Mexico and Canada. Blue and Channel Cats can be hard to tell apart. In theory, Channel Catfish are brown with dark spots, while Blue Catfish are, well, blue.
Why is catfishing called noodling?
It's called noodling because the fisherman wiggles his fingers like wet spaghetti to entice the fish to bite. When it does, the noodler sticks his arm down its throat and grabs it by the gills.
What is a catfish noodling?
A Hand Grabbing History For those unfamiliar, catfish noodling—also known as grabbling, hogging, catfisting, graveling, or stumping—is the art of wading or swimming out into the water and probing underwater holes with your bare hands so that an angry catfish can chomp down them.
What catches catfish called?
noodlingA daring practice in which people catch catfish by hand is finding official support in Wisconsin. This method of fishing is called noodling, and it has spawned something of a subculture well-represented in parts of the Southern and Midwestern United States, as well as on YouTube.
What is another word for noodling?
Many other names, such as catfisting, grabbling, graveling, hogging, cat-daddling, dogging, gurgling, tickling and stumping, are used in different regions for the same activity.
How do you catch a catfish by hand?
Simply put, noodling involves finding a Catfish hiding underwater, sticking your arm in its mouth, and dragging it out of the water with your bare hands. You use your own fingers as bait and the Catfish's bite as the hook.
What is it called when you fish with your arm?
Some call it hand fishing. Some call it grabbling (or grabblin) or hogging, and of course, some call it “noodling.” The bottom line is that you are catching a fish with your bare hands!
What is noodling slang for?
To ponder, consider, or speculate about something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "noodle" and "over." ("Noodle" here is slang for head or brain.) As my mind wandered into daydream, I began noodling over the possibility of giving up my job and moving to Japan.
What states allow noodling?
I know, can you believe the nerve of making such an awesome sport illegal? Noodling is legal in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Why is catfish noodling illegal?
Due to concerns over the safety of noodlers and sustainability of fish populations, the technique is illegal in some states where it was once traditionally practiced.
Do people eat catfish noodling?
The History of Noodling The term “noodling” is used in the southern United States. Catfish noodling as a sport is most popular in Oklahoma. The first Okie Noodling Tournament was held there in 2001.
What states allow noodling?
I know, can you believe the nerve of making such an awesome sport illegal? Noodling is legal in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
What is noodling slang for?
To ponder, consider, or speculate about something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "noodle" and "over." ("Noodle" here is slang for head or brain.) As my mind wandered into daydream, I began noodling over the possibility of giving up my job and moving to Japan.
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What is the term for catching flathead catfish?
The term "noodling", although today used primarily towards the capture of flathead catfish, can and has been applied to all hand fishing methods, regardless of the method or species of fish sought. The origin of the term is unknown.
What is the name of the fountain pen that depicts catfish?
The popular Noodler's brand of fountain pen ink was named in reference to noodling, described as "a southern sport that attempts to equalize the struggle between man and animal in the quest for a sense of fair play", and many bottles of ink depict images of catfish.
What is noodling in fishing?
Noodling is fishing for catfish using one's bare hands, and is practiced primarily in the southern United States. The noodler places their hand inside a discovered catfish hole. Many other names are used in different regions for the same activity. The term "noodling", although today used primarily towards the capture of flathead catfish, ...
How much does a flathead catfish weigh?
A typical weight for a flathead catfish caught by noodling is 40 lb (18 kg).
Is Rider still on Mudcats?
Though he is no longer considered the "face of noodling", Rider is still a prominent and active noodler, appearing in both a Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs pilot episode and in the History Channel's current television series Mudcats . Rider even traveled to India to demonstrate noodling while visiting the country for the weekend.
Can you catch catfish with only the arm?
Although the concept of catching fish with only the use of the arm in the water is simple, the process of noodling is more complicated. The choice of catfish as the prey is not arbitrary, but comes from the circumstances of their habitat. During the spawn, catfish will dig or enter a hole underneath a structure submerged in the water.
What Is Catfish Noodling? – A Brief History on Catfish Noodling
Catfish noodling is a fishing technique where you stick your arm in a catfish’s mouth while it’s hiding underwater, then drag the catfish out. In this case, your arm is your gear, and your fingers basically act as bait.
Is Catfish Noodling Illegal?
Noodling takes place in many states even though people are divided on whether this technique is ethical or not. There’s also a lot of debate about how dangerous it is. That’s why noodling is illegal in 34 states.
How to Noodle for Catfish? – A Step-by-Step Guide
Although controversial, noodling for catfish takes much effort and a lot of planning. Knowing the right ways to noodle for catfish is vital. There are safe ways to practice this act and guarantee a big catch. Keep reading to find out how to noodle for catfish successfully.
The Impact of Catfish Noodling
Catfish noodling has plenty of impacts on the environment as well as on catfish. People who noodle for catfish usually target bigger male catfish while they are taking care of their eggs. When reaching out for those bigger catfish, the eggs are left unattended, which leads them to their deaths.
Why do catfish move into shallow parts?
The temperature drops at night. This triggers catfish to move into shallow parts to hunt baitfish.
What do catfish look for in the shallows?
When catfish come to the shallows for food, they’re looking for minnows.
What baits are good for catfish?
If you’re aiming for quantity, dip and punch baits are a great choice for catfish fishing. They allow you to quickly bait up after each catch.
What is the difference between a flathead catfish and a blue catfish?
Flathead catfish are broader than blue cats and have a different tint.
What bait do blue catfish use?
The key to blue catfish fishing is using fresh bait, not frozen. They prefer fresh shad and skipjack.
What do catfish not realize?
What they don’t realize is catfish are scent and vibration-based hunters.
How much does a channel cat weigh?
Channel cats max out at about 40 – 50 pounds. They are small compared to flathead catfish.
Why do people catfish at night?
There are two good reasons that people go catfishing at night – it’s a lot cooler and the fish show up in much shallower water. Why? Simply put, Catfish follow their stomachs and their stomachs follow the forage. The topwaters get too warm for bait fish on a hot summer’s day. They also feel safer in open water under cover of darkness. Catfish are scent-based hunters, though, and have no problem tracking down forage in the dark.
How to tell if a catfish is blue or brown?
How to Distinguish Blue and Channel Catfish. Blue and Channel Cats can be hard to tell apart. In theory, Channel Catfish are brown with dark spots, while Blue Catfish are, well, blue. Catfish vary in color, though, and Channel Cats lose their spots once they’re big enough to be confused with a Blue.
What is the Best Catfish Bait?
There are all kinds of crazy theories on what bait works best for Catfish. French fries, chicken livers – even soap and cigarette butts get thrown out there sometimes. Our advice? Steer clear of these “secret Catfish baits” – they may have worked for your buddy Mike’s uncle’s cousin that one time, that doesn’t mean they’re better than the tried and true alternatives.
How to catch catfish in gin clear water?
Monofilament is cheaper and easier to use. On top of that, it can be recycled, reducing the risk of ghost fishing. Use 20–30 lb line for Flatheads and Blues , or 12–15 lb line for Channel Cats. Brightly-colored line and bobbers will help you notice small knocks on your baits.
What kind of catfish are there in the US?
There are three main species of Catfish that anglers target in the US: Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, and Flathead Catfish.
What is the most underrated fish in the world?
Catfish are some of the most underrated fish in the country. They grow huge, they taste great, and they put up a heck of a fight. In this short guide, you’ll learn how to catch Catfish, from catfishing basics like telling species apart to more advanced theories on where, when, and how to bring in a monster.
Where do flathead catfish live?
Even experienced anglers are happy to catch one big fish per trip. Flatheads live throughout the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio River basins.
Overview
Noodling is fishing for catfish using one's bare hands, and is practiced primarily in the southern United States. The noodler places their hand inside a discovered catfish hole in order to catch the fish. Other names for the same activity are used in different regions, primarily in the South and Midwest, and include hogging, dogging, grappling, grabbling, and tickling.
Method
Although the concept of catching fish with only the use of the arm in the water is simple, the process of noodling is more complicated. The choice of catfish as the prey is not arbitrary, but comes from the circumstances of their habitat. During the spawn, catfish will dig or enter a hole underneath a structure submerged in the water. The female will lay the eggs in the hole and the male will guard the eggs. When the eggs become fry, they will leave and the male will also leav…
In popular culture
Noodling is just one name used for fishing with your hands, but there are other names for it that are derived from different cultures. The activity is most common in the southern and midwestern United States, and may be referred to as hogging, dogging, grappling, grabbling, or tickling.
The sport of noodling in popular culture has been featured or referred to in various television programs, including Late Night with David Letterman (1989), Okie Noodling, which was televised i…
Dangers
Other than drowning, or being snagged and injured by underwater hazards, noodlers face other physical threats, including the potential for fatal injury caused by other forms of aquatic life that may be residing in the abandoned holes of cavity spawning catfish, such as snapping turtles, snakes, beavers, and alligators. Loose fitting clothes may get tangled or snagged on roots or rocks, and various physical injuries may be incurred while underwater, ranging anywhere from s…
See also
• Hillbilly Handfishin' – Television reality show about noodling
• Okie Noodling – 2001 film by Bradley Beesley
• Trout tickling – Method of fishing by hand
External links
• New York Times article on noodling and anecdote from the writer
• Okie Noodling Documentary Website
• ESPN Article on Noodling
• Long Arm of the Law Penalizes Texans Who Nab Catfish by Hand Wall Street Journal