Catfish spinning from shore, a modality that hooked me from the first day I managed to get one out with a Mr. Twister from the 90s and it began to change my way of thinking about Catfish.
A long time has passed since we stopped thinking of catfish as a slow, clumsy predator that preyed on dying fish and carrion. Almost two decades ago, the “monster of the Ebro” has become an excellent spinning competitor. This is not new, we all know that at the right time and in the right place if we scan the shores with our boat, there will be several specimens that we will be able to photograph.
But… if we don't have a boat, is it possible to catch spinning catfish from shore?
Definitely, the answer is yes. Although we are going to tell you that it is not a simple company.
Finding the whiskers wanting to hunt will be the most complicated in this challenge, for this our allies will be the many weirs that the majestic Ebro has. Contrary to what was previously thought, catfish are skilled swimmers and we will find them frequently in the currents of these small waterfalls. The reason is very simple, it is a place where the water is oxygenated and therefore a hive of life, from small invertebrates that attract alburnous and carp, until of course our giants that move to hunt.
In these hot spots, the 3 most important conditions for spinning catfish meet. Their presence, being in their usual hunting place and something very important and perhaps the most difficult to achieve, that is accessible from the shore.
Now, we are not going to rub our hands and think that we already have the equation solved, as we all know many more factors will influence the success of the day, from the color and temperature of the water to environmental factors.
The color of the water will influence a lot, the days in which we find the Ebro with a much lighter color than usual, a condition that often occurs on summer days, we will see how our possibilities are reduced to a minimum. The catfish will not be in a hunting attitude, being the darkness of the water their main asset for camouflage. This does not mean that we have to throw stones into the river or look for frogs to pass the time, these days despite being much more complicated we can also go home with a good photo. Our way of fishing will be more leisurely and we will have to scrutinize the bottom looking for the backwater areas where the giants may be resting. Despite not being in a hunting attitude, if easy prey is found at the height of their whiskers, it is very likely that they will not miss the opportunity.
As for the temperature, like almost all predators, it will show its inactivity on hot days when the water shows high Celsius values, we are not going to expose it in degrees since almost no one usually carries a thermometer in our fishing bag. A simple test, if when you get into the water it seems hot and you do not notice a temperature contrast with the outside, then yes, better go home or dedicate ourselves to the cyprinids or tempt the "whiskers" with pellets, but that is another history.
