I've only ever been a leisurely fisher, usually only going to spend time with my brother and dad. More often than not, we return with no catches.

I'm looking for any tips that would help improve our chances at bringing something home. I am mostly interested in jig and bait set-up. Usually we are only after trout and catfish. I thank you in advance as any help is better than no help.

Well I fish 6 days of the week, and I could give you some help if you gave me a general area of where you are. In Michigan the trout streams are slowly getting less and less productive this time of year; and I have never been a catfish angler.

But if you are after trout are you fishing streams and rivers? Or are you fishing out on a lake/large body of water? Are you using fly fishing gear or just spin-casting gear with a light(4 to 6lbs) monofilament leader? If you use more then 8 pound test line you aren't going to catch many trout(except for lake trout in deep reservoirs), they have excellent eyesight, and can see a swivel and large test line. You can always use a slip bobber with light test line, and on the terminal end just tie a fly fishing lure(if you want it to sink use a wet fly, if you want it stay on the surface use a dry fly).

Also if you wish for more information e-mail me at alwaysasleep3@gmail.com

I am always there for someone in need of fishing help or information.

Sorry, i should have been a little more specific. I'm in the central california area. I fish in small streams and rivers as well as lakes. For the most i am after trout. Using the set up i was taught by my grandfather(6 pound test, number 8 hook, power bait or worm on a three foot lead at the end of some splitshot). I am using spin-casting gear.

When going for catfish i use chicken liver or any crawfish that i catch. Usually a slighlty larger hook is used on the same line as used with trout. And again it is hit and miss on the success rate.

Some days this set-up works well for me, but more often than not still end up empty handed.

I have, in the past, asked some local people that are doing well if they could give me some pointers and i normally get told no, so any thing you are willing to share will be greatly appreciated.

When going after cats , I have always had MUCH better luck using a sliding sinker, like a bullet or egg sinker. Use that above a swivel and a 20 inch or so leader and your chicken livers or nightcrawlers.
In rivers, I also like to float a stick bobber above a large leader. Enough to float the bait right above the bottom.
The first fish of any decent size that I caught was a 13 pound channel and I was using a 4ft rod. I fell in the river landing it lol.

Pretty funny. I've never caught any that size. The biggest catfish i caught was just under nine pounds, in a run off of river. Never caught anything that size again.

On a side note, i have a coworker who is going to show me some tips to catching cats in an area not to far from where i'm at. He says that he always catches enough to sell some at the local flea market. So i'm waiting to see how he sets up his fishing rigs.

Buff Cheshair- have you better luck catfishing at night versus during the day? I was talking with some of my coworkers and they swore that night time was best for catfishing.

I don't fish for trout but can give you some tips for cat fishing.

Take a coffee can and punch holes in it. throw in anything pretty much. Dog food, chicken liver and blood, dead bait fish, etc. The day before you plan to fish, go to your spot and tie it off and throw it in to chum the water. While you are there, take some crappie nibbles, small pieces of worms, whatever and catch the local small bait fish. Leave them on the bank over night to get them nice and nasty for the next day's fishing.

When you come back, catch a few more bait fish. Then start mixing it up. Try them live, then try them alive but slit their stomachs open, then try cut bat and the ones you left out the day before. Wrap your chicken liver in pieces of panty hose and dip it in the blood. It will help keep your bait on when you cast, and keep smaller fish from stripping you hook.

Take at least two poles for yourself. I prefer taking at least three and an ultra light for bait fishing. Put One on float and one on bottom. Test how they are biting.

As far as what time of the day. It's fishing, everyone has their preferred method and you will hear about it, constently, over and over. Dusk is the best time, no it's dawn, day time on float, no no night time on bottom. Personally, I have hit them at all times with different methods. Just keep testing different set ups and different baits and different depths. I have gone all day without so much as a nibble and then I have literally cast out and the float went under and never came up, put the hook right in the cat's mouth.

Have fun for me man, haven't been out fishing yet this year. Oh and pics if you land a good one.

I've thought about chumming once but haven't done it because i heard it was illegal in this area. I'll have to check for sure. I kinda figured timing was a preference type of thing, depending on the person, but thought i would ask any way.

I did go fishing the other day and took home a stringer full of perch. Not what i was intending to catch but me and my dad had a lot fun til our bait ran out. Sorry no pics though. Trust me, if i catch something good i'll put pics for you guys

Yeah check your local fishing laws because chumming isn't legal everywhere. I used chum a few times and got caught, but I knew the local CO and got out of the ticket. It is a useful tactic for catching cats though.

Catfish have the uncanny ability to tell if the bait isn't from the local waters, so be sure to catch your bait where you are planning on fishing. Catch a few panfish and cut them up, use what you would eat for bait on the hook(s), and the rest for chum if legal in your area.

Pro tip:

when they say "cast you'r rod" they mean cast the line along with the float weight's & hook from the carbon pole NOT get your penis out