KANAWHA RIVER
From a catfishing perspective, the Kanawha River is quite similar to the Ohio, just on a smaller scale. Shore-anglers can expect to catch channel cats and flatheads below the dams, and also near the mouths of feeder waters. Boat-anglers should look for the deep river holes.

On the Kanawha, navigational dams exist at Winfield, Marmet and London. The Winfield Dam is located 31 miles above the river mouth. Marmet and London dams are found 67 and 83 miles, respectively, from where the Kanawha joins the Ohio.

West Virginia catfishing isn't limited to navigable rivers like the Ohio and Kanawha. Free-flowing rivers offer good fishing for catfish, as is evidenced by the good sport found in the New River. Smaller streams, too, can provide virtually untouched cat-fishing opportunities, particularly sections found close to where they join a major river.

Much of the fishing attention on the Ohio, regardless of species, occurs in the tailwaters area below the navigational dams.

CATTIN' TACTICS
Besides the chance to tangle with tough, brawny fish, another advantage of pursuing catfish is the simplicity of the affair. It's doesn't take much tackle to be successful. Likewise, it's not necessary to invest long hours honing your skills to catch them. Catfish lean toward the cooperative side, particularly in the warm waters of summer.

Channel catfish can be taken on a wide variety of baits, both live and not so live. For the boat-angler on a river, a good tactic to use during the day is to employ the same type of slip-drift tactics walleye anglers use to cover long, deep holes. Using a leadhead jig, typically a 1/4- or 3/8-ounce, allow the boat to drift with the current while fishing the jig directly under the boat. The jig should be kept a few inches above the bottom. Use the electric trolling motor to make the adjustments in boat speed necessary to keep the line vertical. While you may wish to experiment with one of the many prepared catfish baits to tip your jig, I've had excellent success with two baits while fishing in this manner: ribbon leeches and a chunk of hot dog. That's right, a small piece of the frankfurter.

Anglers fishing from the shore of a river will do well by employing a simple slip-sinker system. Egg and walking sinkers will all work, though egg sinkers tend to roll under rocks where the current is heavy. Run your line through the eye of the sinker and tie it to a heavy bait hook. The hook should be matched to the size of the bait being used. Don't be afraid to use a good-sized hook, as channel catfish and flatheads won't be bothered by a bigger hook.

Channel catfish are known for preferring aromatic baits, so many anglers favor "stink baits" such as chicken livers. If you'd rather not deal with the mess of handling chicken organs, another good option is one of the prepared catfish baits such as that offered in the Berkley PowerBait lineup.

While channel catfish will eat dead baits and smelly concoctions, flatheads prefer to kill their prey. Lively creek chubs and suckers make excellent bait for flatheads, fished on the previously described slip-sinker rig.

Whether you are fishing from shore or a boat, it makes good sense to use some type of rod holder to keep from having a big cat tow your rig into the water. The forked stick is a time-proven tool for the shore-angler. Many styles of rod holders exist for boat-anglers.

Free-spooling baitcasting reels with clickers, coupled with stout casting rods, make the ideal rod/reel combo. With the reel in free spool, the clicker alerts the angler of a catfish making a run. Rods should be on the longer side, such as 7 feet or so lengths. Longer rods allow for more powerful, long-sweeping hooksets.

There you have it, a look at some of our state's best catfishing opportunities. However, to catch 'em, you have to wet a line. Hope to see you doing just that real soon. The catfish are ready, are you?