[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"learn-card-the-catfish-bottom-rig":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"applyCta":6,"authorId":9,"body":10,"cardType":95,"description":16,"difficulty":96,"discipline":97,"editorId":9,"extension":99,"glossaryRefs":100,"hook":105,"meta":106,"navigation":107,"path":108,"publishedAt":109,"readingSeconds":110,"regionTags":111,"relatedCards":112,"safetyDisclaimerRequired":107,"seo":115,"status":116,"stem":117,"track":118,"updatedAt":109,"version":96,"__hash__":119},"learn_cards\u002Flearn\u002Fcards\u002Fthe-catfish-bottom-rig.md","The Catfish Bottom Rig",{"label":7,"action":8},"Find a catfish river","open_planner",null,{"type":11,"value":12,"toc":91},"minimark",[13,17,20,53,60,63,84],[14,15,16],"p",{},"Catfish are bottom feeders that hunt with smell as much as sight. The rig is dead simple, but the bait choice and the location are everything.",[14,18,19],{},"The slip-sinker rig:",[21,22,23,32,39,46],"ol",{},[24,25,26,27,31],"li",{},"Slide a ",[28,29,30],"strong",{},"1-3 oz egg sinker"," onto your main line. Heavier in current, lighter in slack water.",[24,33,34,35,38],{},"Add a ",[28,36,37],{},"barrel swivel"," below it.",[24,40,41,42,45],{},"Tie an ",[28,43,44],{},"18-24 inch leader"," of 20-30 lb mono.",[24,47,48,49,52],{},"Finish with a ",[28,50,51],{},"circle hook",", size 4\u002F0 to 7\u002F0 depending on bait size and target fish.",[14,54,55,56,59],{},"A ",[28,57,58],{},"circle hook is non-negotiable"," — they set themselves on the fish's lip, hooking far fewer fish deep in the throat. This matters for catch-and-release and for the fish's survival.",[14,61,62],{},"Bait choices, in rough order of stink and effectiveness:",[64,65,66,72,78],"ul",{},[24,67,68,71],{},[28,69,70],{},"Chicken liver"," for channels — slip a treble through it and a small wad of pantyhose to keep it on the hook.",[24,73,74,77],{},[28,75,76],{},"Cut bait"," (chunks of shad, mullet, or sucker) for any flathead or blue cat.",[24,79,80,83],{},[28,81,82],{},"Stinkbait or dip bait"," — molded onto a sponge or worm-shaped holder. The smell carries in the water; fish find it by following a scent trail upstream.",[14,85,86,87,90],{},"Cast to a deep hole, outside a current seam, or below a tributary mouth. ",[28,88,89],{},"Open the bail, set the reel down",", and wait. When line starts moving steadily, just lift — don't swing. Circle hooks do the work.",{"title":92,"searchDepth":93,"depth":93,"links":94},"",2,[],"technique","1",[98],"bait","md",[101,102,103,104],"leader","hookset","structure","holding-water","A heavy sinker, a tough hook, and a smelly bait sitting still on the bottom. Catfish hunt with their noses — give the bait time to call them in.",{},true,"\u002Flearn\u002Fcards\u002Fthe-catfish-bottom-rig","2026-05-18","150",[],[113,114],"powerbait-stillwater-setup","the-slip-bobber-rig",{"title":5,"description":16},"published","learn\u002Fcards\u002Fthe-catfish-bottom-rig","first-cast","qdO1KQ5wFCNDbPGRKSrcSdHIksd880LB32GZn4nA-YE"]