Four Reasons Catfish Won't Bite

In this catfish fishing video I discuss four reasons that catfish won't bite while you are on the water fishing for catfish. It can be frustrating when you can't catch catfish, and figuring out why you are not catching fish can be frustrating. Even when you have the perfect catfish bait, and the best catfish rod and catfish gear, sometimes the catfish won't bite. So, if you've ever asked why won't catfish bite my catfish bait, this could be the video for you.
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#howtocatchcatfish
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#catfishwontbite

[@boothd858]

I caught 2 huge catfish last week back to back within 10 minutes using cut bait from a bream I caught earlier.

[@crazydaisy1334]

This is all true. I totally agree. I’ve been fishing since I was about five years old and I’ve learned this and much much more and I’ve learned a lot from other anglers. Fishing is very difficult. It’s an art, and it takes a long time to get good at it, and most people do not have the time or patience or money to devote to it.

[@anthonyvolpe1608]

THEY LIKE SHRIMP. Shrimp is also a great bait option opposed to chicken and baitfish!!

[@AngleroftheVille]

people often ask how to catch catfish, then they ask the next level of questions and THEN they ask the next level. All I can do is direct them to your channel and tell them that's where all of your answers are located. Great video!

[@kenkneeaech9546]

I feel like my local bodies of water have just been decimated by fishermen. I used to catch so many catfish and now I’ll go weeks without even a bite. I don’t think people in my area have accepted the fact that there just aren’t anymore catfish in our lakes.

[@reddear8396]

That’s why I only catch and release, all just for a good fight and photo! If I want to eat fish I’ll go to a grocery store!

[@Jeremy_the_unfallible_n-a]

@@reddear8396 going to the grocery store to get fish is the exact reason fish populations have been decimated all over the worId. over fishing for mass consumerism

[@michaelyork7844]

We too many people overpopulation in this world

[@MrTurkeyhunter1982]

@@michaelyork7844 Bill Gates and his buddies are working on fixing that issue.

[@austinking8359]

There’s plenty of fish in the rivers guys just putting that out there lol

[@snookcatcher1]

Your very intelligent study on chicken versus perch with many fish got you a new subscriber. I just started getting interested in catfishing (I'm a bass fisherman). I watched several of your other really good videos, but this one sealed the deal with a subscription. Thank you for your highly thoughtful and informative study and video.

[@StanleyWallace74734]

Dieter I think it is awesome that you are willing to give out advice, tips, and tricks for the new catfish fisherman not too many people will do that these days. As for myself, catfishing is my most favorite species to fish for be it by rod and reel or hand fishing. I love your videos keep up the great work I still learn new things every day

[@larrymast5750]

I just started catfishing last week. Caught 21 catfish using jello chicken while I was drift fishing.

[@allenmeyer7707]

You pretty much nailed it. I would add tackle can play parts with it like the question I asked about color of hooks or a leader. They can spook off from experience. I scout out my places. I use to believe cast far away I can and deepest water. I learned thats not the case.

[@pedrocruz4710]

Thanks Dieter for the insight!

[@josephquillen3208]

Dieter, thanks for your videos & very usful info. ! Most of all your straight up honest truth about the catfishing !! I have been "catfishing" most of my life [now 70] & one thing I have learned is to keep an open mind & never stop learning !! I read a quote one time, many years ago that I have never ever forgot , which I have applied in diff. areas of life : " The man who says he learned it all on his own has surely, surely cheated himself !!" I live in Maryland & primarily fish the Susquehanna River [all my life] which is the most northern end of the Cheasapeake bay & is the bays largest tributary. I have caught my share of cats over the years but sometimes, still can't figure them out ?! So, am still learning ! & you know, that is just OK !! Thank you, once again !!

[@joepeters716]

I’ve been fishing my whole life, and I still come to dieter for tips and tricks!! Especially when I’m getting absolutely dusted for a couple weeks and can’t get on the fish lol.

[@yo82011]

This is a great video that answered alot of my questions. Thank you!

[@turboboy0]

where i fish, i use whole corn, hotdogs, shrimp, expired/freezerburned chicken, expired/freezerburned steak and they all work well. best time is first thing in the morning and around 9am they are pretty much done.

[@shanec8812]

Great advice. Thank you for sharing.

[@davephillips3790]

I appreciate your video however here in Illinois the easy go-to bait in nightcrawler and you can catch four or more other species while your at it with three poles in the water . Time of day ; all day long!! About 4 pm it slows down and into the evening on the local 500 acre lake

[@chefmatt6299]

What kind of setup do you like to fish worms for multiple species?

[@woodyhullender8415]

Thank you for the pointers.

[@gooddeeds8900]

Always love your advice thanks dad ❤

[@DakGeorge]

Watching this video made me feel a lot better about what I’m doing. Yesterday me and my son had poles in water and caught 11 fish in a matter of 2.5 hours. Mainly bluegill, but also a couple drums, one blue and one channel cat. Go back out today and nothing but bluegill after more than 4 hours total spend on water so far. There’s about a 10° temp difference between today and yesterday, and water seems a bit more choppy. Might just have to wait a bit for it to calm down. Gonna take your advice and put as much time on water as possible and just learn the patterns

[@shelbyherring92]

As for reason #1 and 3, this is especially true when fishing in tidal rivers. I fish down in Darien, GA on Butler River and usually the only time I get decent catfish action is when the moon is out, we've recently had a big rainstorm, during peak low or high tide, or all the above. Though, the most consistent time I've been able to catch any cats there is around 9pm to midnight... and so I try to go when tide peaks around that time to better my chances. And I've only been skunked two or three times while fishing there. i guess I'm doing something right. Also, as for the size and species of cats: mostly some channels and whites, a few baby blues now and then, but my dad allegedly hooked into a flatty once. But the biggest I've fished out of there was a 3 and a half pound white catfish with a majority of catfish being smaller. Biggest fish I've pulled out period was a nice 15 pound common carp, so I'm sure there may be a few cats at or above 5 pounds in there because there's plenty of food, but they're definitely the exception not the rule.

[@jordenmessel]

i remember my very first time fishing. they had taken a few of us boys out to teach us and just had the little kiddie rods and we didn’t even have any bait or lures. we only caught one fish that day and it was me with a cat fish. probably what got me to love fishing

[@sethh.3518]

Thank for the info, good to know and helps with the idea of how to catch what you want. 🎣

[@kinardoutdoortv873]

I’m down in middle ga area , I primarily fish lake blackshear, the flint and ocmulgee rivers . My go to is a bag of cheap shrimp from Walmart , or beef liver for Chanel cats now for flat heads I throw either live shad or blue gill or cut bait

[@ricksonora6656]

I’ve been trying to use barometric pressure, lighting, lunar cycles, and seasons to eliminate wasting gas and exposing myself to ticks. There’s lots of information available for bass seasonal behaviors, but very little for other species.

[@riverratoutdoors4200]

What has been your best times to go using all of that information? I've been working the lunar cycle and other stuff. Just curious.thanks

[@ricksonora6656]

@@riverratoutdoors4200 I haven’t been tracking it long enough to have usable results. And with gas over $6/gallon, I may have to stick to eating trout from local waters. I did find one significant result. Down-indicators discouraged me from going out, so any results would have been skewed. I’m already discouraged by costs and the amount of energy it takes to hike to access spots.

[@gabrielking8461]

@@riverratoutdoors4200 my grandpa was an avid bass fisherman. Unfortunately he passed before I was born. But he left lots of maps, old lures and tons of great information behind that I’ve used. Bass have always been my favorite fish to catch. Bass masters website has a great fishing calendar. I’ve always noticed that early morning and later in the afternoon work fantastic for me. I’m in central texas so the heat is a major factor. I always have really good luck getting out on the water BEFORE it gets light. I start fishing as soon as I notice there’s any light. Typically I still can barely see the end of my rod. I’ll fish until about 2 hours after sunrise and then they stop biting. Sam goes for night time (but reversed) I start fishing about 2 hours before dark and I’ll fish all the way until it’s completely night. Also just researching what the bass are biting in each season. Early march till July ish I have insane luck with soft plastic craws. (Real colors, like dark brownish or orange and red)

[@Ink30]

​@Gabriel King sounds like you has a neat grandpa

[@fredfreiberger7878]

Dieter I appreciate the shared information I am glad to be subscribed. Would you please share more on fishing the thermocline

[@justinredden1729]

Great tips Dieter, thanks for sharing

[@DieterMelhorn]

I appreciate you watching Justin!

[@jamieargent7139]

Well said most of this even applies in the ocean for tuna Bluefin yellowfin stay down can be simple as being in the zone 250ft 300ft marked line or being a little off bottom for rock fish can help have caught most species of fish wish you all the best next time you pick up a rod

[@takedowncatfishing]

Dieter thanks buddy keep em coming💪👊

[@terrycain3843]

Water temps and spawning can knock down the bite.I agree the more your out there the more you learn.

[@matbarham6336]

Always remember use the moon phases aka moon holding water and when a low pressure systems come in and out and if rising and dropping of water

[@WV_Cat_Daddy]

Hey Dieter ive watched all your videos would you make a video on how to locate gizzard shad on a lake I can throw a 12’ net no problem but I can’t seem to catch them unless I see them on the surface. I see the bait balls on my sonar throw my net where I saw it and nothing....

[@brianbrown9102]

Hey Dieter, I was wondering if you fish differently for neap tides vs spring tides in tidal rivers?

[@MikeCostelloOutdoors]

I fish the Waccamaw River/ICW in Myrtle Beach SC. Our water is tidal waters here, it rises and falls with the moon phase. On Sunday I fished for 11 hours through 2 tides cycles and the river was really low and the bite was slow throughout the day time hours. I did catch a 19lb blue and a flathead. Last night I fished and the water level was high even during the bottom end of low tide. I had more bites but nothing was hooking up. I tried a range of bait sizes just like always and I found that they are biting the larger size baits and bluegill heads. The majority of my bites were also in water depths of 15ft and deeper. I hope this helps anyone that fishes tidal waters. Also when water temps start getting above 70 to 75 degrees catfish start there spawning cycle which also will slow the bite down for larger fish.

[@michaelstewart7036]

I've noticed in areas with heavy fishing pressure they only hit early in the morning and I can go to the same spot at night and not even get a line tap I feel like they learn this from being caught and released many times as a fingerling in the late evening and night hours so they switch to early morning when fewer fisherman are out

[@waltersackman9715]

I live in Ohio and I fish at Charles mill .I was wondering if you would look at the map and give me some advice on where you think would be best for cat fish and should I drift fish or just anchor up .thank you for your suggestions

[@eugenegress5896]

SPOT ON: We Were Catfishing Grand River ,Granhaven MI., and Ran short on Night Crawlers. My wife had brought cooked chicken for Lunch that day in the boat. I put just a small piece on a 5/0 Gamy brand Circle hook. Within minutes, I had a nice Channel Cat . NOTE: You can up your odds of Ketching a Flathead, by dead Stickinging a Flatfish lure off a 3way Swivel; Put a Small fillet of perch, or bluegill on Belly of Lure and secure with strechy thread....Just like the Salmon Guys do. Old Indian Trick!, lol.

[@poboy942]

Time on the water solves 90% oif your problems when it comes to catching fish consistently. nothing else comes close to time on the water..

[@Stubbsbitchinfishing]

Great info. Thanks

[@TrueNorthOutdoorAdventures]

Great Video Man! New fan from Indiana... we got a LOT of Catfish!!

[@YaBoiBobbi]

Thank you very much

[@jeffshorts6052]

I just retired at 65 and bout my first good fishing boat. Also caught my first catfish since I was a kid. Love your videos and your opinion on the Zebco 888. I have a Diawa bait cast (need more practice 😊) will try the Zebco for now.

[@internetjunkie9574]

That's awesome man! You can't go wrong with Lews reels/combos at Walmart either, very smooth casting. Best of luck

[@RickHenkle]

808's and 888's are my Reels!!! Can handle up to 40lb test and have good range!! That is capable of catching anything between panfish or a 60# nice cat or such if used correctly!! Use the Drag baby!! Lines Tight!!

[@DakGeorge]

Quick update, waited til just after sundown then went out. Mosquitos were swarming, fish were jumping out of the water to eat. Used chunks of chicken breast and snagged 3 cats within 30 minutes.

[@alexleinen3115]

I'm glad you mentioned ducks as catfish food because I've found a few in channel bellies 😂

[@thecatfishking9047]

Yeah unfortunately my local lakes in the upper Catawba River chain don't hold blues for whatever reason, have to make haul to atleast Lake Norman to get on consistent blue catfish. Any thoughts on why the upper chain of Catawba River doesn't hold blues but lower chain does?

[@gregoryselner7261]

Thanks for your great advice. I am new to catfishing and you are a big help for me on learning what to use for bait.

[@DieterMelhorn]

Gregory I am glad I can help!

[@fivestring65ify]

Great advice. I've been fishing in an area, and have been the guy not catching anything while people around me are catching catfish. I've tried chicken breast and shrimp, with poor results. I've caught a few on chicken liver. I'm going to try live bait next.

[@danielreno5849]

Hey man try skipjack for bait that is the bait I've had good results with

[@davefisher5196]

Where I was catching blues last summer I wasn’t during the winter n then places I tried doing the summer to no avail was loaded during the winter. now that the water is above 55 I have no idea where they are. River is coming down from flood stage so will go hunting for them

[@rusticoutdoors]

Great information I find out the bite is hot on a full moon night the cats tend to feed good then

[@user-wy1fo9hb7j]

Thank you so much I love it

[@antonioramirez3142]

Hey buddy is there any way you can show how to cast a round reel? I just bought 2 c3 6500 ambassadors from Abu Garcia.

[@ciotkrispy8886]

Where did you get that catfish wall lamp behind you... I need it.

[@2658tal]

bro I trust your ideal of cat fishing. Thank you

[@ronaldmccoy2012]

Love ya brother. Can you please make a video on fishing for catfish when it’s windy? That’s the hardest time for fishing if ask me. From Houston Tx

[@ryanblystone5153]

Thank you

[@eddieholt5840]

Shrimp is a good one too

[@theoriginalkeepercreek]

Very good suggestions re: catfish. But I live in northern Wisconsin and do not have access to a boat, so I fish from the shore at the boat launch. Do you have any suggestions about this method of fishing to help me catch Perch? It is my favorite fish and I need help! LOL Thanks.

[@flyingfluffyhockey]

I have a little spot on the river that heats up about 2-4 hours before sunset but the second the trees on the bank shade the sun, instant stoppage of hits.

[@JohnSmith-yg6ny]

What about moon shining on water . Illinois river lakes and ponds if it's shining on the water bites stop

[@windwhipped5]

I believe its a local thing..Temp in my area of Western NY.. weather conditions in general..

[@CM-gj6ut]

In my area I’ve used cut bait ,stink bait ,chicken breast ,worms etc nothing has ever worked like chicken liver has

[@charliehenderson38]

That’s why it’s called fishing and not catching, sometimes we catch fish and sometimes we don’t, either way we find great joy fishing for those great catfish, thanks for your always helpful video’s

[@Blindstraight]

And some times we just catch a buzz

[@danielketchum7853]

Thank you sir

[@Catfish00150]

That’s pretty much true!!!

[@vickywatkins1421]

I stocked my pond with catfish several years ago ,and last year every time I feed them there were about 100 that came up every time. I feed until it got cold and they stopped coming up. I live in Arkansas it’s may 6th and none have come up or even moving. What happened to them?

[@JayTC__]

I caught my first catfish in 2019 using a crank bait Caught my 2nd catfish 2 weeks ago using a piece of slim jim Caught my 3rd catfish today using a pepperoni

[@butterkan3584]

wat the hell

[@lovingdeanthegodmachine5622]

@@butterkan3584pepperoni is actually really good bait I even catch baitfish for cut bait with it and also can catch cats also while catching baitfish

[@karenmyers5298]

Good job

[@MrKatfishHimself]

Man I see you are at a location that I fish alot. Would love to see you out there and just chat or fish for a few together. I have a reason fish won't bite and a way to solve it. They aren't biting on the couch, you have to get out there to the water to at least try to catch them.

[@Blackhorseveteran]

Thanks Dieter...love your videos, and have been playing catchup since subscribing. I don't have a boat, so have been limited to shore fishing. Caught 8 the other day, but only footlongs...I just got to find where the bigger ones are hangin out..

[@stanleykrupinski441]

I go to a state park were there are catfights an Bullhead an trout and northen.pike

[@jamescannon4917]

I could not find any Ande Monster line instead I found Ande Premium 30# clear. Will it be much different than Ande Monster. Is it OK for the time being.

[@OhDunx]

How many hellcat rods do you have!!!!!

[@victorjuarez2295]

Ty

[@618gaming5]

Here lately I’ve been catching catfish off of the baits you buy from Walmart. Chicken liver been a no go so far chicken shrimp warms but the chicken blood catfish bait at Walmart been bring them in for me for now

[@rameneater1437]

I recently been fishing a local canal for the past 3 weeks to catch the big cats in there. Its like the ultimate challenge because hardly anyone in my area has actually gotten anything from it

[@DieterMelhorn]

Ramen eater, they may not be there. Like I said in the video...big catfish are not everywhere, BUT GOOD LUCK ON THE HUNT!!

[@WeekendWarrioroutdoors16]

If you watch @Dieter Melhorn Fishing you will learn a lot

[@derrickthrash4973]

Can I use the jello chicken on a pay lake

[@snookcatcher1]

Did you use primarily white meat or did you mix it up with dark? I also have a theory that if chicken works, pork would work too.

[@kissmyblackass]

I been catching a lot off worm. I was brim fishing maybe 6 inches deep. I caught way more catfish then brim.

[@jonas2431]

Theres a spot down by my house that has good sized catfish ive only gotten a nibble. But ive heard theres big ones there

[@jamesshamley6577]

Thank you for the advice. My problem is my live fish baits bury themselves in the weeds then the catfish don't find them? Ive had luck with hotdogs in winter and live frogs in summer.

[@jazwraps7178]

Like crayfish always walk into rocks

[@RichardDuron]

I like using whole bream hooked by the tail. I'm not a great at fishing I always catch big ones.

[@mannyduncan6891]

This is very good, I been fishing in my backyard for a few weeks and later in the day with Chicken liver, caught a nice size Catfish! Threw it back, gonna use some chicken breast next

[@4HAR2012]

Children liver ?? WUT ? YOU HANGIN OUT WITH BROTHA LNYCH??

[@mannyduncan6891]

@@4HAR2012 lol typo

[@kissmyblackass]

And I been going fishing when the sun goes down or early in the morning before the sun gets all the way up. I can be out there all day not catch nothing and soon as the sun goes down they start biting.

[@pyrodave6407]

Pressure is a big part in western Pennsylvania anymore had over a million people that bought fishing license last year. Was always people fishing for catfish in the river I fish. Go on a Tuesday at 4pm and would run into people go Thursday at 3am would already be ppl fishing. Didn't matter when went last summer always seen ppl

[@thadjon3s]

My number one bait is night crawler worms garlic or regular. ✌🏾

[@joeschmoe1301]

Fishing is hunting. And hunting is hard!! Another important element is, learning "terminal tackle". Catfish anglers need to get good at designing and using terminal tackle for their specific location.

[@DieterMelhorn]

Fishing really is hunting....

[@ericbest9562]

Can you give me a simple breakdown of "terminal tackle"

[@alfredliggins8510]

@@ericbest9562 just Google different cat fishing rigs

[@lar4305]

I went fishing today at our river in Pittsburgh and it was at 1pm and the catfish where biting like crazy. 2 days before couldn't even buy a bite. so every day is a crap shoot.

[@DMVWhiskerKing]

Hello 👋🏻 Dieter Morning 🌅 . Very true facts brother . Location is key 🗝️ for catching and does depend on time or year and temperatures . Great information ℹ️ as always brother. The catfish community has pushed me out the Live Stream Game. Unfortunately for a year of a group reporting my streams. For a year only a 100 people new as growth 📈 worst ever on my channel . So I'm backing away from the streams completely . Keep being you and bringing out the great information ℹ️ you give everyone 🧡 Full View brother 🤴🏼🤘🏻

[@DieterMelhorn]

Ya the live stream only game is tough to get channel growth in. You really need more long tail content, or timely content, to get people endeared to your channel.

[@stevecurtis8660]

Have you ever tried pig skin or pig fat strips? just wondering if that might work as prices go higher.

[@78ttsf]

I caught my 1st catfish last night using cut bait! Whoo Hoo!

[@huntershain5824]

What is the bast way to catch a catfish and Bass

[@user-zf5xo4qp4m]

I don't have a boat or fish finder. that makes a big difference. fishing from the shoreline sucks.

[@crazydaisy1334]

I live in Southern California and it sucks to fish here. The people suck I’m a big supporter of catch and release people here agree they keep everything they catch and they deplete all the lakes and rivers and streams.

[@jimmymarsh2489]

I had to subscribe. I see on Catfish Daves channel

[@ethandavis6811]

Should I use live fish or dead fish?

[@sgt.frazier5243]

Are chicken gizzards an option for chicken breast?

[@charlesbeckham7746]

I watched an interesting YT video from another YT angler. This gentleman did a test 4 with 4 lines using cut bait, 2 just normal cut and hook the bait, the other 2 same thing but he sprayed PAM cooking oil on the bait. He fished all day, the results were 10 to 1 in favor of the PAM coated bait. Most of the channel Cats were very large. Have you ever heard of this PAM trick before? I will try it out for myself soon.

[@DieterMelhorn]

Heard of it, but never tried it….

[@doodoocaca7663]

i have been fishing since i was 3 im 16 now but i like your vids

[@allenmiller7316]

Hey man me and my buddy have caught cat fish in our farm pond 4 years ago we have barley fished in since how are we able to catch these fish ? I’m thinking with sun fish at night ??

[@DieterMelhorn]

That may work if the catfish are still alive….

[@jbreawilliams4507]

Really great content Dieter want to ask a quick question seem like my struggle from the bank isn’t bait but I’m having trouble with time on the water from the bank because I also have three small children will a boat be safer because low-key my kids like getting in the water from the bank should I invest my time in a boat or should I just put out random content just started my own KZbin but I’m struggling due to family Wanting to come by some spots of dangerous due to gators

[@krdpoutdoors]

honestly , i'm 29 of age so i have been fishing for 27 years , so honestly what i would do is i would get something like a pontoon boat and take the boat out to areas that have a shallow sandy bank shore with the front of the boat facing the bank shore and the motor facing the open water then i would sit in the back of the boat with my pole facing straight out to the open water , this way kids and family can go swimming in shallow water while youre fishing. i used to do this all thetime before #LETSGOBRANDON Biden drove the gas prices high through the roof

[@DieterMelhorn]

A boat is almost always better, but you can enjoy your time from the bank too if you have good access. Gators + kids + bank fishing is a real concern, so be careful...

[@jbreawilliams4507]

Ok thanks just have to enjoy what I have and enjoy the process kids safely before anything thanks

[@alfredliggins8510]

@@krdpoutdoors he said there were Gators there man! And you want his kids to go wading in the shallows!

[@krdpoutdoors]

@@alfredliggins8510 no not at all i dont their kids wadling in shallow gator infested water , what i meant by what i said was that i would get on my boat and search for a shallow spot to park the boat in a sandy shore area so the kids can wadle around in the water safely and and he / SHE could go fishing with no gators

[@donaldhenson1948]

Guntersville Lake in Alabama