With jaws nearly a foot wide, a big flathead catfish eats fish that most anglers would be happy to catch. Some trotline fishermen use carp and other baitfish weighing up to 2 pounds.

Flatheads prefer live fish. Channel and blue-cats also bite on live baitfish, but most are caught on dead fish or fish chunks.

When fishing for large catfish, many anglers use a Wolf River rig to keep the bait fluttering off bottom. For smaller catfish, an egg sinker rig or a sliding Wolf River rig may work better.

Trotlines and limblines, while considered commercial gear in some states, are commonly used on large rivers and reservoirs. A trotline, or setline, consists of a dozen or more hooks. A limbline has only a single hook. It is tied to an overhanging branch so the baitfish dangles in the water. Both types of lines are set one day and picked up the next.

How to Use a Wolf River Rig:

Step #1
Thread a 24-inch leader of 15-pound mono through the eye of a bait needle.
Step #2
Push the line into the mouth and out the vent of a 5 – 7-inch shad.
Step #3
Tie on a 1/0 to 3/0 treble hook.
Step #4
Tie a three-way swivel to 20-pound monofilament.
Step #5
Attach the baited leader and a 10-inch dropper of 12-pound mono tied to a 3 – 4-ounce pyramid sinker.
Step #6
Cast into tailwaters where catfish hide among the rocks. This rig works well on rocky bottoms. If the sinker snags, its lighter line will break first so you can salvage the rest of the rig.