Yes, it is possible to bait catfish in Alabama. You will need to obtain a fishing license and bait such as shad, skipjack, bream, liver, cheese, and worms. You can also use cut bait and fresh cut bait such as skipjack, shad, and mooneys, as well as live bait. It is also possible to use limblines to catch big catfish in Alabama.
What fish can you use as bait in Alabama?
In Alabama, you can use bull minnows, small croakers, artificial lures such as bucktails, big strip baits, live croaker or small mullet, and all edible and bait-able fish, such as gar species, common carp, and buffalo. Additionally, bream may be used as bait as long as the daily creel limit is not exceeded.
Are catfish traps legal in Alabama?
Yes, catfish traps are legal in Alabama, but you must meet certain conditions in order to use them. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources requires that traps must be labeled with the owner’s name, address and phone number, and must not be left unattended for more than 24 hours. Additionally, the traps must be checked at least every 24 hours, and all non-target species must be immediately released.
How do you catch catfish in Alabama?
There are a number of ways to catch catfish in Alabama. Fishing with a rod and reel is a popular technique and can be done from a boat, pier, or bank. Anglers can use a variety of baits such as worms, live minnows, cut bait, or artificial lures. Catfish can also be caught using limb lines, trotlines, and juglines. Limb lines are lines tied to trees or limbs that hang in the water with bait on the end. Trotlines and juglines are similar but are attached to a float and have multiple baits spaced out along the line. Catfish can also be caught by drift fishing with live or cut bait. Drift fishing involves slowly drifting a boat along a shoreline, point, or channel while using live or cut bait. Additionally, catfish can be caught using dip nets, cast nets, and seines. No matter what method you choose, be sure to follow all the rules and regulations set by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Is there a limit on catfish in Alabama?
Yes, there is a limit on catfish in Alabama. The daily bag limit is one catfish over 34 inches. This size limit does not apply to catfish harvested from the Perdido, Conecuh, Blackwater, Yellow, Choctawhatchee, and Mobile Rivers. Additionally, there is no limit on other rough fish.