Catch and Release Catfishing with Homemade Bank Poles 

Setline fishing has always been a go-to method for myself and all of my fishing partners for targeting big catfish. Fishing at night has long been perceived as a "must do" for anyone with a desire to catch big catfish, and especially big flathead catfish. I no longer subscribe to the "you have to fish at night for big catfish" theory, but running setlines has remained one of my favorite ways to target big catfish. Sure, it is not essential to fish at night to catch big catfish. However, catfish do still feed at night, and nighttime fishing has never been one of my favorite ways to pursue them. Setlines have enabled me to keep a line in the water after dark without having to be physically out at a time of day I don't especially enjoy. Bank poles are an upgrade I made to my setline method a few years ago, and the results have been astounding. My catch rate has increased significantly, I have caught many more big fish, and I have avoided many frustrating snags, line tangles, and stolen baits. Plus, they make an excellent project for anyone interested in building their own. If you haven't fished with bank poles before you are missing out on an exceptionally enjoyable way of capitalizing on the nighttime bite to chase them big 'ole catfish.
If you've enjoyed this episode of Fish Standard and want to see more fishing, farming, hunting, trapping, and outdoor content then leave a comment and subscribe...
/ @fishstandard