Catfish ledgering (fixed rig with a heavy lead)

What you need

• braid 0.35-0.50 mm (60-100 lb)
• 150-300 g lead (grip lead in current)
• beads + protective tubing
• 80-100 kg swivel
• 80-120 lb kevlar/braid hooklength, 50-80 cm
• 4/0-8/0 hook or a circle hook
• optional: catfish balloon/float, clonk

Steps

1. 1

   Thread the line through the protective tubing and the lead (or attach the lead to a sliding clip), add the bead and tie on the big swivel.

2. 2

   Attach the strong hooklength with the hook; bait: a bunch of worms, live/dead fish, leeches, according to the rules.

3. 3

   To keep the bait up, put a float/balloon on the hooklength 20-30 cm from the hook.

4. 4

   Cast or take the rig out by boat; rod in a solid rest, drag set (catfish take off suddenly).

5. 5

   With a circle hook don't strike: tighten the line steadily and the hook sets itself in the corner of the mouth.

Tips

• Keep only what the law allows (5 kg or one fish); big catfish are released carefully, supported in the water until they swim off on their own.