floater rig for cats question?

[mrpike1973]

hi i have started fishing cats in the chain of lakes. i have been using a 1/4 ounce egg sinker then a swivel 2 feet of line a hook and a floater. it looks like a capsule. is it necessary to have the floater do cats home in on color or just the bait im using a crawler.

[Gordie]

Sight is probally the last sense a catfish uses and smell probally the first.

to me color plays hardly a role when fishing for cats but I'm not saying that it won't hurt your presentation

[pureinsanity]

Cats have excellent eye sight but I think they rely on smell and vibrations more then anything.

[DTro]

I'd argue with that excellent statement all day long. Compared to what? Mr Magoo?

[DTro]

maybe in gin clear water, but no better than any other fish

[mainbutter]

I'll chime in and say that the couple of bullheads I have in an aquarium have extremely poor eyesight. They can't sight in on moving food pellets in any way shape or form, but they sure smell that there's food in the water seconds after the current from the filter moves the scent their way.

[Rick G]

I'd argue with that excellent statement all day long. Compared to what? Mr Magoo?

The chain is pretty green to begin with so I don't think the are seeing all that much. I 100% agree with Elwood in the cats are using the sence of smell first.

[DTro]

I'll chime in and say that the couple of bullheads I have in an aquarium have extremely poor eyesight. They can't sight in on moving food pellets in any way shape or form, but they sure smell that there's food in the water seconds after the current from the filter moves the scent their way.

That is exactly what I was basing my opinion on too. I also have a couple of small channel cats and they are just as bad. Most fish, you toss some food in and they are all over it, but not these cats, it takes a good 3-5 min for them to figure out there is some food in the tank.

[DARK30]

Catfish may not have excellent eyesight but they do have good eyesight. They will hit a moving lure with no problem. So either they see well or they are swimming bats.

[mainbutter]

I've been wondering about lures a bit, and I sure wonder how much of their ability to track a moving lure is optical and how much is based on feeling vibrations. I assume they have some sort of lateral-line senses like most fish?

[pureinsanity]

They have excellent vision, it is just their sensory system takes over before their eyes. Like a walleye their eyes reflect the light allowing them to see better.

Ever hear of the tapetum lucidum? Ever see a deers eyes glow from your cars headlights? Guess what catfish have them too. Hence why they prefer the deeper holes during the day when its bright and the shallows at night.

The fish's eyes also allow them to see well in waters such as our rivers.

Feed your pet catfish at night with all the lights off, I bet it will find that food RIGHT away. But what do I know im just a noob.

[pureinsanity]

I'll chime in and say that the couple of bullheads I have in an aquarium have extremely poor eyesight. They can't sight in on moving food pellets in any way shape or form, but they sure smell that there's food in the water seconds after the current from the filter moves the scent their way.

If it was live bait I bet they would act different. I know my bullheads are on the minnows in seconds after they hit the water. In fact, just me opening the lid and putting in a few minnows takes them from napping at the bottom to swimming all over trying to get every last crappie minnow.

[rushing]

Ever hear of the tapetum lucidum? Ever see a deers eyes glow from your cars headlights? Guess what catfish have them too. Hence why they prefer the deeper holes during the day when its bright and the shallows at night.

When the water clarity is zero during the day all the special robot ninja deer eyes won't help much at night. Catfish are swimming tongues. Their whole body is a tongue with a large lateral line down their whole body. Not saying they don't use their eyes but I think its low on the totem pole of catfish hunting senses. I think the fact that they are nocturnal hunters without eyelids makes them tend to like to rest in places where light is bothering them.

[pureinsanity]

I never said they rely on their eyes. I said they rely on their other sensory systems for the most part. But its a fact they have exceptional eyesight. just saying

[gooty]

I never said they rely on their eyes. I said they rely on their other sensory systems for the most part. But its a fact they have exceptional eyesight. just saying

Someone has their panties in a bunch! I'm not sayin who tho

[pureinsanity]

Someone has their panties in a bunch! I'm not sayin who tho

Mr. Magoo, heard hes had his panties in a bunch for months...