What I Learned About Dragging For Catfish - A Game-Changer!

[@931tow]

I always make my leaders 18"-24" max. If you don't want to use those clips on the planer boards then you should use the lock down line clamps so you don't have to chase your boards.

[@cacher7745]

my understanding of the planer boards is so you can have a line out to each side and and still put a line out the back without the worry of tangling the lines. with out the planer boards all the lines tend to migrate straight back from the boat.

[@Capt_Billy]

Yes you are correct. Today I tried dragging without them and two of my lines got tangled on the same branch in the water.

[@MilliMillTV]

I tend to get more snags with the planers out the side compared to line's straight off the back

[@AbesFishingadventures]

@@MilliMillTVi actually get hung more on out the back.

[@Keggertotap]

Bingo more than 4 rods

[@Patiencelad]

Well done!

[@Capt_Billy]

Thanks

[@daveengstrom9250]

Planer boards are necessary if the water is shallow (less than 20 ft). Beyond that, it doesn't matter much. In Lake Roosevelt where I fish the water is 200 ft deep. The walleyes are anywhere from 60 to 180 ft. But I use the boards for Kokanee in the spring when they ae near the surface. I don't know much about catfishing, but they eat dead things on the bottom (and some other stuff too). I didn't know people trolled for them.

[@rcajun8902]

catfish are predators they will eat up off the bottom more than people realize, especially the bigger fish. Lots of bass fishermen catch catfish at night while fishing for bass.

[@FishingwiththeRiverhobo1292]

Nice info, I try to always very my leader length when dragging to see what they prefer. Once on Santee Cooper in really rough water we went to a leader nearly seven foot long and really caught them.

[@Capt_Billy]

That is really long!!!! Thanks for dropping by!

[@kerrylouden4833]

Entertaining!

[@Capt_Billy]

Thanks!

[@davidgarcia9808]

Wish we had Flat Heads out here, only channel cats and bullheads . Enjoy your video

[@Capt_Billy]

Thanks!

[@justdoingitjim7095]

I'm kind of skeptical of boats scaring the fish, unless it's in shallow water. On lakes with lots of boat traffic I still catch them regularly behind the boat in waters from 10ft on down.

[@stevecruea8597]

Very nice 20 pounder.

[@kccatfishing4929]

Billy, I would agree the boat dragging 15ft of water and less it can spook fish. Deeper waters it would be less likely.

[@Capt_Billy]

I would agree with that! I have a habit of fishing shallow water a lot.

[@MilliMillTV]

I've caught the majority of cats in 9'-15'

[@HookedUpCatfishing]

What kind of planer boards do you use? All of the ones I'm used to using have a swivel with a clip on one end which keeps the board attached to the line and a scotty type clip on the other end to clip to the line. The only time you should have to chase down a board is if you get snagged and break off.

[@Capt_Billy]

The big ones I have are Captain Mack’s. They have the swivel clip. I had it bind on the big Jack I caught awhile back.

[@kerrylouden4833]

Not to confuse anyone but your boards are port and starboard colors…

[@williestephens4327]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@Capt_Billy]

👍

[@jeffchaffee2964]

I’ll be there, it’s all about timing for me

[@Capt_Billy]

Thanks! I will try too. I forgot to show up the last time I tried this lol!

[@terryrauh6647]

I drift fish for catfish. I always drift my boat sideways with 6 rods out. My boat is 21 ft long. I catch just as many fish in the middle of the boat as any where even in shallow water like 6 to 12 ft.

[@GayazFishing]

Nice

[@terrystanfield5247]

Never seen anybody not hook the clip on the planner

[@Capt_Billy]

I saw someone else do it. It’s easier to fight a fish with it off the line completely.

[@baitwaitfishing7625]

Nice little fhmb Billy

[@Capt_Billy]

Thanks

[@robertdixon01]

hey billy. not sure if you remember or not but i met you down at big fish outfitters back in the summer and you showed me how to do a catfish dragging rig. was wondering where a man can get those rod holders you have on the back of your boat

[@Capt_Billy]

The rod holders are Smackdown Rod holders and the black bar is a MulTbar. You can either get them directly from the guy that makes them in his garage on Facebook (do a search for MulTbar Rod Rack) or on the Smackdown Catfishing website.

[@robertdixon01]

@@Capt_Billy gotcha. thanks for the help.

[@Capt_Billy]

You are welcome! If you can when you order leave a comment that Fishing with Billy sent you their way!

[@schanon7451]

Why would you not use the swivel on the planer board. Doesn’t make a lot of sense?

[@Capt_Billy]

It was a experiment based on another fishing guide that does the same thing. Fighting a fish with a planer board on the line could pose a risk of losing the fish. The drawback is having to reset every time you catch a fish because you have to chase down the planar board.

[@schanon7451]

@@Capt_Billy I understand what you saying but the planer boards I run you do. Not have to do that

[@Capt_Billy]

Which planar board's do you run? I lost a fish this weekend because of the planar board.

[@hjdaboss786]

Yes the shadow of the boat will spook the fish sometimes.

[@travishidlebaugh7672]

I can see that you are trying, but ..... I have never seen anyone have their Mult-I-Bars mounted in that way. I kinda see why, but that's why they have set screws. You are hooking your bait all wrong for dragging. The way you have them hooked will cause your bait to spin and will eventually tangle up your line around itself, even with swivels. And lastly, why, on earth, would you NOT use the swivel lock on the back of the planer and have to chase the planer board down?! Eventually, those yellow clips will start to lose their grip, and every single time you reel in to check bait, or anything, you'll have to reel all your rods up and go chasing planers. That's not fun in bigger water with bigger waves. You can definitely lose them on big water. You have good equipment and are trying, but just some helpful hints for ya.

[@Capt_Billy]

It was a test with the planar boards. I know a guide that does it that way so they don't lose fish. I know I have when I had them fully clipped on. I have yet to have twist problems with my baits. Also, the MulTbars are mounted using Rivnuts. A VERY difficult way to mount them however getting them as far back as possible gives you more room on the deck. You have to drill out the set screws to get them to lock down good.

[@dinkbuster1]

What rods are those?

[@Capt_Billy]

Team Catfish MH Casting rods and Okuma Battlecats. The Team Catfish rods have been out of stock for a year on their website.

[@voiceforthevoicelesstruth5480]

Great idea just go get some already caught fried cats! 😂

[@Capt_Billy]

Ohh yeah some below where the Manhattan project happened could be microwaved already!

[@randywilson6869]

I have a question 1-if your dragging weight gets hung and u have to break it off will u loose your hook too?

[@Capt_Billy]

I sometimes get to keep the hook because the sinker slide breaks.

[@stevesmith9840]

I use a Number 62 rubber band to attach the sinker to the sinker slide. If the sinker gets hung the rubber band breaks and all you loose is the sinker.

[@rayphillips4775]

Try tying the weight on with a clinch knot, not an improved clinch knot. Then it will slip off when pulled hard.

[@RICHJMS]

What's the desired trolling speed ???

[@Capt_Billy]

I like .6 to .7 mph

[@gonecattin1484]

So what was the purpose of not hooking the clip to the line? Not criticizing, just trying to understand.

[@Capt_Billy]

So we don't have to fight the fish with the planar board on the line. It helps with one thing while making a whole new problem (having to chase down the board LOL).

[@fredziffel3443]

Wow... you're just now learning this method... and you're a professional fishing guide ? 😮😢 I've been using dragging weights for 20 years. Before that, we used a piece of solid core lead wire. You're gonna be surprised to find hundreds of videos that teach you how to make your own DIY dragging weights.

[@Capt_Billy]

I took a client yesterday who has never seen the technique either. I put him on his biggest Largemouth Bass ever too. I’m not afraid to say I learned this technique from Steve Douglas the Catfish dude. Most guides lie and say they know it all. I’m still learning and am proud to say that!

[@fredziffel3443]

My apologies if I offended you, Bill. It wasn't my intention. You are right, a lot of people aren't familiar with draggin' for cats but I believe, people paying "a professional" have the right to expect that professional to be at the top of their game. At 74 years old, I can't remember not going fishing and I'll never think i know enough to beat the fish at this game. I too, am still learning. Stay safe, keep slingin those baits, and good luck to ya !

[@Capt_Billy]

Most guides are used car salesmen making everyone think they are a professional just to book a trip. Even the best can’t put you on fish some days. I’m friends with a world renowned guide who has taken Larry Dalberg, Carter Andrews, and In Fisherman out multiple times. He skunked clients 5 days in a row only a couple months ago and randomly since then. Still has a good hook up ratio per client. I rather be a captain and a KZbinr taking people out on my boat for fun fishing adventures than a “professional“ any day. Also I’m not easy to offend. I’m a KZbinr too after all and get plenty of criticism.

[@garybiggs9010]

First time????

[@Capt_Billy]

Nope