The skipjacks belong to tuna fish family; they are small fish that can be found in rivers and many parts of the seas. Skipjacks multiply very fast; this helps to keep their population growing because they are one of the favorite foods for catfish.
Skipjack Catfish Bait
Skipjacks have used for a long time to lure or monitor the presence of catfish. It is known that where you can find a large school of skipjacks, there are probably many catfish nearby. Anglers have found ways to land more catfish by tracking the skipjacks and studying their behavior.
Difficulties in monitoring Catfish
One of the major issues anglers encounter regarding finding catfish is their unpredictable behavior and movement. Catfish are known to migrate from one region to another during autumn quickly. At this time, it will be quite difficult for the anglers to predict where to find the catfish. Anglers who go out to sea in search of catfish may spend days or weeks without finding any significant population of catfish. In the end, that is an expedition wasted.
These challenges have made it necessary to closely study the catfish species to discover ways to track them in the vast seas. During such studies, it was observed that catfish are attracted to the skipjacks. Thankfully, skipjacks are very easy to find, even in vast sea areas. Skipjacks are very active in the aquatic habitat. They move quickly in large groups, and there is usually a feeding frenzy, which is visible from an observation point on land over the water when they find food. The obvious presence of skipjacks attracts the catfish and the anglers who are interested in landing many catfish.
How to use skipjacks as bait
Over time, skipjacks have become one of the best baits for catfish. Fortunately, it is very easy to catch skipjacks in a large quantity. Anglers go fishing for skipjacks with casting nets, and they catch enough to use as bait for catfish.
Preparing skipjacks as bait for catfish is not a complex process. Some anglers keep skipjacks alive and prepare them for use as bait in the boat. This is done by making cuts on the skipjacks and sliding a hook through the little fish. The cuts are made to increase the scent in the water which will attract catfish to the bait.
Skipjacks can be used as bait with any of the rigging methods commonly used to catch catfish in the river. Using skipjacks as bait for catfish is usually successful if there are any catfish in the river you are navigating.
How to use the rigs
If you find a large school of skipjacks in the water, don’t feel disappointed if you do not immediately detect the presence of catfish. They are most likely below the school of skipjacks feeding. To catch the catfish, you need to cast your rig with a sinker that can reach below the school of skipjacks where catfish can bite your lure. In a frenzy caused by skipjacks swimming rapidly around, the catfish will bite your lures if you can get the right depth were the catfish sees your lure before reaching the school of skipjacks.
Catfishing with skipjacks is quite easy and exciting, it is an experience every angler must try, and many sticks with using skipjacks after the first experience.
