Spring catfishing season has finally begun! Recent rains, higher water, and warmer temperatures, have catfish actively biting on streams in Western Iowa. Very soon, increased flows on creeks and rivers will trigger the annual pre-spawn migration upriver, and now’s the time to prepare. In this part of the state, the major branches of the Raccoon River (north, middle, south) and their tributaries provide nearly unlimited catfishing opportunities from May through the summer depending on water levels. After the last 4 or 5 years of drought, precipitation received so far this spring has this angler hopeful that we’ll be back to our normal catfish “routine” in 2024.    

Depending on water conditions, we start catfishing from late April to early May, and the critical part of the equation is water depth. Without high water, fish can’t traverse natural and man-made barriers on some of the smaller streams, making spring rains crucial. For example, in the fall, catfish in the Middle Raccoon River system migrate downstream to overwintering holes and many make the trek all the way to Lake Panorama. As a result, it takes regular spring rains and sustained high water for these fish to travel dozens of river miles upstream to spawning areas.  

As I write this article, the Middle Raccoon river is deeper than at the same time in 2023. However, the deepest holes may still only have 4-5 feet of water. Feeder creeks and ditches rise quickly after local rains, but fall just as fast. Because of this dependency on high water, and the past several years of drought, we need to continue receiving weekly rains to increase the odds of decent catfishing on the “Middle Coon” in Carroll County. If Mother Nature turns the spigot off too soon, as with the last few years, we’ll be forced to travel south towards Lake Panorama or east to the larger North Racoon or Des Moines rivers to locate good fishing.

 For spring catfishing, my “kit” includes a pair of WST Catfish and Carp rods. For tight spaces and finesse presentations, I use a spinning rod paired with an Okuma Avenger ABF reel. This combination provides excellent casting distance and accuracy with plenty of line capacity. These spinning reels also come with power handles for extra comfort and leverage. However, my favorite feature is the “bait feeder” system which operates essentially like a clicker on a bait casting reel with one added benefit. The beauty of the Okuma version is that you can adjust the amount of tension on the bait feeder. Less tension is great for neutral or non-aggressive fish that may drop a bait if they feel too much pressure, or when fishing multiple rods at distance. More tension can be applied when rods are secured in WST rod holders and there’s no risk of losing them. Either way you adjust the tension, the key advantage is that you don’t have to adjust the reel’s main drag system. I highly recommend these reels, and they deliver a ton of value at a modest price point under $100.  

When casting large baits into open areas free of obstacles, I use the WST Catfish and Carp casting rod paired with either a WST Seeker 60 or Seeker 60 Pro baitcasting reel. You can’t go wrong with either model, and in my experience the pro model is best when you want to maximize casting distance and want the smoothest possible operation with the added bearings. The greatest advantage of this combination is its flexibility. You can easily fish from the bank or boat with these rods, and with their unique parabolic design, you can confidently hook and land fish of any size. However, if you’re going to be fishing deep water with heavy current where more weight is needed to reach the bottom and stay there, the Whisker Seeker GFX, FMJ, or Hog Seeker rods can handle up to 12oz of weight.    

Line choice depends on the situation, but if you’re mostly fishing rivers for catfish, you’ll be dealing with rocks, rip rap, timber, and other underwater risks. As a result, for maximum abrasion resistance you may want to consider WST braid for your main line with a heavy monofilament WST leader for added shock resistance. This combo provides the best of both worlds in terms of strength and abrasion resistance, while helping to ensure big fish can hit and run hard without pulling hooks. Cutting braid with regular nail clippers can be a real pain, and WST utility scissors slice through braid like a hot knife through butter. When fishing areas with fewer obstructions or when fishing from a boat where you can maneuver and manipulate fish more easily, lighter monofilament lines can be used reasonably well.

 For spring catfishing, I most often use a slip sinker rig with either single or double hooks, carrying an assortment of WST hooks to match the type of bait and size of fish being targeted. To keep presentations anchored in the strike zone, a variety of split shots and slip sinkers are a must to adapt to current speed and water depth. To maximize efficiency, I always use WST sinker slides, because they allow you to change weights depending on conditions without retying the entire rig. The slides also let you remove the sinker when transporting rods which can be a literal headache if one catches you in the side of the bean while driving.        

In the spring, you want to present catfish baits just off the bottom. Channel cats have an overbite, and keeping baits out of the mud improves scent dispersion and makes it easier for them to take the bait. Add just enough weight to hold your sinker on the bottom, set your leader length, and then add one or two hooks depending on your personal preference. As a rule of thumb, the leader should be shorter for fast water and longer for slower flows. This helps prevent excessive line twist and also helps reduce snagging. To further reduce line twist, tie on a WST barrel swivel between the slip sinker and leader. If you’re not using a swivel, set your leader length by simply pinching a split shot on your line at the desired length to stop your slip sinker. Pro tip: this time of year night crawlers and cut creek chubs can both be dynamite baits, and using a double hook rig allows you to use both at the same time to see what the cats want.

Finish your equipment list with a 5 gallon bucket (padded seats are a must!), rubber boots, WST pliers , and nylon stringer, and you’re all set. If you regularly fish steep cut banks or bridges, consider a WST extendable landing net to prevent accidents and losing fish.          

One of the best places to target spring catfish is from gravel road bridges over creeks and rivers. Bridge pilings, and the debris that collects above and below them, create current breaks and provide cover that make ideal ambush spots for cats to dart out, grab a quick bite, and retreat safely out of the main flow. Very often, deep cut banks, rip rap, and grassy points can be found immediately downstream from bridges and these features also concentrate fish. To entice the most aggressive fish, cast your bait so that it settles just upstream from holes, eddies, and current seams created by these structures. To improve your odds of landing a chunky spring cat, bring a “drop" or “bridge” net or have someone with a WST extendable landing net on the bank scoop them out of the flow when they’re played out. While it can be done, trying to swing them over the bridge railing often results in lost fish, especially cats in excess of a couple pounds.  

Spring catfishing is here, and the action should be non-stop for the next month or so. While catfish will stop biting briefly during the June spawn, staying mobile and trying different areas can produce pre and post spawn fish. To prepare, make sure you visit whiskerseeker.com for all your equipment needs, and start catching your bait now. WST has cast nets in various sizes depending on the individual angler, and they quickly pay for themselves once you master the technique. To safely and efficiently reduce the size of large live baits for spring catfishing, grab a pair of new WST bait shears. With recent rains, nightcrawlers were laying all over the ground after dark last night, and pre-mixed and standard worm bedding can be found at local hardware and big box stores. I prefer this manufactured bedding over the black sludge that most Canadian worms are packed. For an even more exhilarating experience, bribe a buddy into seining a local cold water creek for bait. You may be surprised what you catch, and chances are a catfish will eat it.