River cattin’

Cooling weather triggers hot catfish action

October is a prime month for catfish anglers across the Carolinas. With cooling temperatures, fish feed aggressively ahead of winter, and rivers become hotspots for anglers chasing trophy blues, flatheads, and channels. Several rivers in North and South Carolina provide excellent fall catfishing, each with its own proven baits and techniques.

The Neuse

In North Carolina, the Neuse River stands out as a top catfish destination. Known for its population of big flatheads, the Neuse produces best when anglers use live bait such as bream or shad presented on a slip-sinker rig. Fishing near logjams, deep bends, and current breaks is effective, especially after sunset when flatheads move shallow to hunt. Blues and channels also thrive in the Neuse, and fresh cut shad or white perch fished on bottom rigs in deeper channels often results in heavy strikes during October.

Cape Fear River

Another excellent river is the Cape Fear. This system holds a strong population of blues and flatheads, and October is a reliable month for both. Anglers drifting cut baits such as shad or herring down the deeper sections of the river often pick up steady action from blues. For flatheads, live sunfish presented tight to structure is the ticket. Many anglers prefer anchoring near outside bends at night and fishing multiple rods to cover a range of depths, increasing their chances of connecting with trophy-class fish.

Congaree River

In South Carolina, the Congaree River provides some of the state’s best river catfishing. The river’s mix of sandbars, deep holes, and submerged timber creates perfect catfish habitat. Fresh cut mullet and shad are the preferred baits for blues, especially when fished on heavy bottom rigs. Flatheads, on the other hand, respond well to live bream fished close to root systems and snags. October’s cooling water tends to concentrate fish. Anchoring above a hole and fan-casting baits downstream can be a deadly tactic.

Pee Dee River

The Pee Dee River is a legendary catfish river. Known for its giant blues, this river consistently produces fish exceeding 50 pounds. The best bait for targeting these giants is fresh cut herring, mullet, or shad presented on Carolina rigs with stout tackle. Anglers often drift baits along the river’s channel edges to cover water and locate schools of feeding fish. Night fishing remains popular in October, as blues patrol shallow flats near deep water in search of prey.

In all these rivers, eels also make great baits. Some anglers use them live, while others cut them up.