Drifting Bobbers for Low Water Cats

The truth of the matter is, you don’t need much. You do need a fishing rod, however, and the longer the better. I built a 9’ medium power surf rod several years ago just for this application, and while I love it, you don’t need to get that fancy. Whisker Seeker’s Catfish and Carp Rod is excellent for this application. Even though it is a little bit shorter, the rigidity of it makes it great for setting the hook, and it is plenty light enough to hold in your hand all day. Any 10’ European carp model will work great as well.  

When it comes down to reels, it’s personal preference. I have used both spinning and baitcasting and had similar results with each. Fishing line is a different story though. While mono line will work, the low stretch of braid makes it much more effective for setting the hook at long distances as your bobber drifts. Plus, braid floats, which makes mending your line and keeping your bobber drifting naturally a little easier.

Smaller styrofoam floats are great, but every little bump along the bottom causes the bobber to go under; making you wonder if you have a snag or a bite. This is why I prefer a very buoyant bobber for this type of fishing. Bobbers with more buoyancy keep your bait ticking along the bottom in current more effectively. This is where the cats are, and this is where you want your bait to be. Lastly, larger bobbers are much more visible, making it easier to tell if you have a bite if you drift it long distances. The Whisker Seeker 1 oz EVA Float is my personal favorite, as it meets every one of these criteria, but isn’t so bulky you can’t use it on smaller, channel cat sized tackle.

Your setup is going to be a basic slip bobber rig. Start with a bobber stop, then slide on your bobber, followed by an egg sinker. Add a bead and then your swivel. You can use split shot instead of an egg sinker to make a rig with a more uniform drift, but it’s quicker to simply add an egg sinker when you’re using a larger float. Next you attach your leader and hook. My favorite hooks for this are 4/0 J hooks, but you can use circle hooks. It's just a lot of fun to cross the eyes of a big fish as your bobber drains.

Bait is whatever you have the most trust in. I prefer fresh cut bait, either creek chubs, shad, bluegills, or suckers. Crawfish, grasshoppers, frogs, and pretty much any other natural bait all work wonders. Commercial stink baits catch fish too, but it’s difficult to keep them on your hook as your rig drifts down river, bumping along the bottom. Warm water channel cats in rivers are typically anything but picky, so trust your gut and go with what works for you.

The last thing you need is something to put your stuff in. I’m a fan of backpacks. They will easily hold all your terminal tackle, a few extra bobbers, a leader spool, bait, snacks and drinks. A lunch sized soft-sided cooler should also fit in your bag, either for keeping your bait cold, your drinks cold, or for the less sophisticated individuals like myself, both.

The last thing to do is get out on the water. You can wade around a single area, or grab a buddy and set up a shuttle. Park at one bridge, drive to the next one upstream, and wade on down. It’s the best kind of exercise you won’t even realize you are doing.

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