Catfish fishing while camping at night

Catfish Fishing While Camping At Night

Aug 18, 2026

I have been night fishing for catfish for fifteen years now. Maybe longer. I lost count. The first time I went, I had no clue what I was doing. I brought a cheap rod and some old worms. I sat in the dark for four hours. Nothing bit. I went home angry.

But I went back the next weekend. And the one after that. Now I know what works. And what does not. Night fishing is different. You cannot see what you are doing. You have to feel things. You have to listen. That is what makes it good though. When you catch a fish in the dark, it feels like a victory. You earned it.

Why Night Time Is Better?

Why Night Time Is Better

Catfish are weird fish. They do not like the sun.

Think about it. They live in muddy water. They hide under logs. They dig into holes in the river bottom. They are not built for bright days. When the sun goes down, everything changes. The water cools off. The fish come up from the deep spots. They start moving around. They get hungry.

See, catfish eat at night. That is when their food moves. Small fish come to the surface. Bugs land on the water. Crayfish leave their rocks. So the catfish follow their food. Right into the shallow water where you are fishing. I have caught more fish at night in one hour than I have caught all day before. It is not even close. One night I caught six fish in two hours. That never happens during daylight for me.

What Gear Actually Works?

You do not need fancy stuff. Do not let anyone tell you catfish fishing while camping at night.

The Rod

Get a medium heavy rod. Seven feet long. That is my favorite.
I use a rod that cost forty dollars. It has caught hundreds of fish. You do not need the expensive one.
The reel matters though. Get a reel that holds twenty pound test line. That is important. Catfish pull hard. If your line is weak, you will lose them.
One time I used ten pound test. A big fish hit. The line snapped like thread. I watched my bait float away. Never again.

Hooks

Circle hooks are the way to go. They are shaped different from regular hooks.
The fish hooks itself with these. You do not have to set the hook hard. Just reel and lift a little.
Get size 4/0 or 6/0. Big enough for catfish mouths.

Sinkers

You need weight to get to the bottom. Catfish eat on the bottom.
I use three ounce egg sinkers. They slide on the line above the hook. When a fish bites, it does not feel the weight as much.

Bait Choices

Catfish will eat just about anything. But some things work way better.
Live bluegill is hard to beat. Hook them through the back. Not too deep. Let them swim around.
Cut bait works too. Use fresh fish. Shad is good. Skipjack is good. The smell travels far in the water.
Chicken livers are cheap and effective. They fall off the hook though. I wrap them in pantyhose. Keeps them on longer.
Stink bait comes in a jar. Smells horrible. But catfish love it. Use special hooks made for it.

How to Pick Your Spot?

You cannot just throw your line in any water. That is what I did at first. Did not catch much. You have to read the water. Look for certain things.

Deep Holes

Find where the water gets deep. Catfish sit in these holes during the day. At night they leave. But they stay close. Cast near these deep spots. The fish come out to feed but they do not go far.

Points

See where the land sticks out into the water? That is a point. Fish travel along these. Set up on a point and you intercept the fish as they move. I love fishing points.

Fallen Trees

Fish hide under logs and branches. They feel safe there. Cast right up next to the wood. You will find fish.

Drop Offs

Some places go from shallow to deep fast. Like a cliff underwater. Catfish hang at the edge. They wait for food to fall from the shallow part. Fish the edge and you will catch them.

Setting Up Camp the Right Way

I have made every mistake setting up camp near water. You learn from messing up.

Tent Placement

Do not put your tent right on the water. That is a bad idea.
Put it at least fifty feet back. The water can rise at night. You do not want to wake up wet.
Also, bugs are worse right by the water. Move back a little and there are fewer mosquitoes.

Food Storage

This is important. More important than you think.
Keep food in sealed containers. Raccoons will find it. Bears will find it. I have had both in my camp.
Hang food from a tree if you are in bear country. Put it up high. Away from your tent.

Rod Setup

Put your rods where you can see them from your tent. Use glow sticks on the rod tips. I tie bells on mine too.
When a fish bites, the bell rings. It wakes you up. You run out and grab the rod.
Last summer I caught a seven pound catfish at 2 AM. The bell woke me up. Best alarm clock ever.

Fire

A fire is good if it is allowed. Check the rules before you go.
Put rocks around your fire. Keep it controlled. Do not leave it burning when you sleep.

Fishing in the Dark

Fishing at night is not the same as day fishing. You cannot see your line. You cannot see the fish. So you use your other senses.

Casting

Cast out and let the sinker hit bottom. You will feel it when it gets there. Then reel in the slack until the line is tight. Put your rod in a rod holder. Or just lay it on the ground.

Watching

Watch the rod tip. When a fish bites, the tip moves. Sometimes it twitches. Sometimes it bends hard. You have to pay attention. The bite can be subtle.

Setting the Hook

With circle hooks, you do not need to jerk hard. Just start reeling. Lift the rod gently. The hook does the work. With other hooks, wait a second. Catfish mouth the bait before swallowing. If you set the hook too fast, you will miss them.

Patience

You will wait. That is the truth. Some nights you wait a long time. But that is okay. That is part of it. Sit in your chair. Look at the stars. Listen to the water.

The fish will come.

Staying Safe at Night

The dark is dangerous. You have to be careful.

Walking

Use your headlamp when you walk. The ground is rough. Rocks are slippery. Roots stick up. I tripped one night. Fell right into the water. My phone got wet. My bait scattered. Not a good night.

Walk slow. Watch where you step.

Water Edge

Stay back from the bank. It can crumble. You step on it and it gives way. Suddenly you are in the water.

Animals

Snakes come out at night. They hunt near the water. Wear boots. Wear pants.
Do not reach into dark holes. Do not put your hands under logs. That is where snakes hide.
Bears and raccoons are looking for food. Do not leave food out. Do not keep food in your tent.

Weather

Storms come up fast near water. Watch the sky. Listen for thunder.
If you hear thunder, get away from the water. Find shelter. Lightning is no joke.

Tell Someone

Let someone know where you are going. Give them your route. Tell them when you will be back.
If something happens, someone will come looking for you.

Cooking What You Catch

Fresh fish tastes better than anything from the store. No question.

Cleaning

Clean the fish right after you catch it. Do not wait. Fresh is always best.
Put the fish on ice or in cool water until you clean it.
Skin the fish. Catfish do not have scales. Cut around the head. Peel the skin down. Use pliers if you have them.
Cut off the head. Take out the guts. Wash it in clean water.
Get rid of the dark meat. The dark part does not taste good.

Filleting

Run your knife along the backbone. From head to tail. You get two long pieces.
Take out the ribs. Now you have fillets.

Cooking Over Fire

This is the best way. A cast iron pan works great.
Put oil or butter in the pan. Season the fish. Salt and pepper is all you need. Maybe some garlic powder.
Cook a few minutes on each side. The fish is done when the meat turns white and catfish fishing while camping at night.

Foil Pack

Wrap the fish in foil. Add butter and spices. Seal it up.
Put the foil pack in the coals of your fire. Cook for ten to fifteen minutes.
No cleanup. Just eat right out of the foil. Perfect for camping.

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Mistakes People Make

I made all these mistakes. You do not have to.

Old Bait

Fresh bait catches fish. Old bait does not.
I used to keep bait in my trunk. It would get hot. It would go bad.
Now I keep bait on ice. I change it often. I catch more fish.

Same Spot

Some people stay in one spot all night. If you are not catching fish, move.
Fish move around. You have to find them.
Walk along the bank. Try different spots. Do not be lazy about it.

Small Hooks

Catfish have big mouths. Use big hooks.
I used size 2 hooks when I started. Lost so many fish. Now I use 4/0 and 6/0. Much better.

Bad Line

Line gets nicked and scratched. You cannot see it sometimes.
Check your line before you fish. Run your fingers along it. Feel for rough spots.
If the line is damaged, replace it. Better to take a few minutes than lose a big fish.

Too Much Light

Bright light scares fish. They can see it through the water.
Use red or green lights near the water. Save white lights for inside the tent.
I learned this the hard way. Used a bright headlamp for an hour. No bites. Turned it off and caught a fish in ten minutes.

Setting Too Fast

Catfish mouth their food. They pick it up and taste it. Then they swallow. If you set the hook right away, you will miss. Wait a few seconds. Feel the fish take the line. Then set the hook.

Best Time of Year

Summer is the best. July and August. The water is warm. The fish are active.
Spring is good too. April and May. The water is warming up. Fish are moving to shallow water.
Fall works well. September and October. Fish are eating a lot before winter.
Winter is slow. Fish are cold. They do not eat as much. You can still catch them but you have to fish deep.
Check your local rules. Some places have specific seasons. Get a fishing license. It is usually required.

My Best Night

I have caught a lot of fish at night. But one night stands out.
It was August. Hot day. Cool night. The moon was almost full.
I set up on a point. Used cut shad for bait.
I waited two hours. Nothing. Almost gave up.
Then my rod bent hard. I grabbed it. The fish pulled strong. I fought it for fifteen minutes.
When I finally got it in, I could not believe how big it was. It weighed maybe twelve pounds. Not huge but big for me.
I held that fish up in the moonlight. I was so happy.
I cleaned it and cooked it over the fire. Ate it with my hands. No plates. No forks.
That is the best meal I ever had. Still remember it.

Quiet Nights

Not every night is like that. Some nights you catch nothing.
But those nights are good too.
You sit in the quiet. You hear the water. You hear the bugs. You see the stars.
You think about things. Life stuff. Work stuff. Family stuff.
The dark feels different. Kind of peaceful. Kind of safe.
I have sat through many nights without a bite. Did not care. The quiet was enough.

Final Words

Night catfishing is simple. You do not need a lot. You do not need a boat. You do not need expensive gear. You need a rod. Some hooks. Some bait. A place to camp. And patience. Most of all, you need to get out there. Just go.

You will make mistakes. Everyone does. That is how you learn. Bring a friend if you want. Or go alone. Both are good. Sit by the water in the dark. Cast your line. Wait. When that rod bends and the fight starts, you will understand. It is worth the wait. It is always worth it.