A “Day Off” on the River
When your career revolves around fishing, how do you spend your day off? For many, it might mean doing something completely different—but not for this angler. When asked what he enjoys on his downtime, the answer is simple: more fishing. But not just any fish—this time, it’s a special day shared with his son Nick, exploring the narrow, winding waters of small rivers across North America in search of monster catfish. These rivers offer exceptional fishing opportunities not just for catfish, but also for walleyes, smallmouth bass, and even muskies.
Gearing Up: The Ideal Boat for Small Rivers
Success in small river environments starts with the right boat. In this case, the team is using the 1650 Rebel XL—the smallest boat in the Angling Edge fleet, yet loaded with big-boat features. With its spacious rod locker, large live well, adjustable Sports Track system for mounting electronics, and superior hull stability thanks to a reverse chine, the boat is designed for shallow navigation and comfort. This setup allows for confident movement through super-skinny water while supporting multiple anglers on board without listing.
Power trim adds to its utility, allowing travel through extremely shallow areas—some as little as a foot and a half deep—before transitioning back into the deeper river channel. 
Reading the River: Keys to Locating Catfish
When targeting big river catfish, three key elements come into play: depth, cover, and current. Using a Humminbird depth finder equipped with side imaging, the team scans for submerged wood and large boulders—prime habitat where catfish often congregate. A productive location is identified: deep water intersected by a log jam and scattered boulders. Though they continue upriver for several more miles to scout additional locations, this promising spot is flagged for the return trip.
Anchoring Up and Soaking Baits
Once a productive location is selected—such as an outside bend with good cover—the approach is straightforward. Cut bait is cast in front of the log jams and allowed to sink before being secured in rod holders. Patience is key in this style of fishing, but subtle refinements make a difference. Bright orange 25-lb Sufix Siege line is used, which not only stands up to hard-pulling cats but also helps visually detect light bites.
Smaller chunks of bait are sometimes more effective, especially when fish appear finicky. This tactic soon proves itself: a hard-hitting fish takes the bait, and the action begins.
Tough Fights and River-Tested Resilience
River catfish are built for life in current. Their powerful bodies and broad heads help them hunker down in log jams and fight hard when hooked. The fish caught range in size and temperament—some striking quickly, others taking their time. One especially stout specimen emerges from the cover after a tense fight, showing off the species’ unmistakable strength and durability. With help from his son, the fish is brought aboard and admired before being released.
The importance of anchoring accurately in small holes (typically 6–8 feet deep) becomes evident, as catfish often sit precisely within these depressions. With most of the river averaging 1.5 to 3 feet deep, these small pockets of deeper water become fish magnets.
Moments of Excitement and Big Payoffs
As bait is dropped repeatedly near log jams, the bites start coming. Though it can take time for fish to emerge from cover, when they do, the reward is worth it. One fish in particular draws immediate attention—a truly massive catfish that puts both the angler and equipment to the test. With practiced coordination, it is worked into the net, revealing a broad head, thick body, and powerful tail.
The angler highlights the catfish’s unique design—barbels, or “whiskers,” filled with taste buds, and a body built for detecting food in stained current. These sensory adaptations, combined with their raw power, make river catfish some of the most fascinating freshwater predators.
A Boat Built for the Job
The angler praises his 1650 Rebel XL again, describing it as a true fishing machine. Its layout and features offer the flexibility to target multiple species, while its small footprint enables navigation in water other boats simply can’t access. For guides and serious anglers alike, control and fishability are paramount, and this rig delivers both.
Lund’s design, tailored to real angler needs, ensures confidence on the water—even in tight, shallow, and unpredictable river systems. It’s clear this isn’t just a boat—it’s a vital tool for success.
Classic Rigs and Baiting Strategies
As the day rolls on, the crew continues refining their approach to small river catfishing. They’re using a classic slip sinker rig, one of the most reliable setups in the catfishing world. The rig consists of a 2-ounce sinker, a bead to protect the knot, a swivel, and a leader. Leader length is adjusted based on the surrounding cover—shorter leaders help avoid snags in dense log jams.
The bait of choice? Big, oily chunks of sucker meat, varied in size. Just like with any species, sometimes the difference between getting skunked and hooking up is simply the size of the bait. On this particular day, under bright sunlight, the fish are often buried deep inside log jams. By casting the bait in front of the cover and letting the scent waft downstream, they’re able to lure aggressive feeders out into striking range.
Tough Customers in Heavy Cover
The fish keep coming—and they’re not making it easy. Battling current and navigating thick wood structure, the anglers land one hefty channel cat after another. In the current, even mid-sized fish feel enormous. Each fish is unique, with distinct builds, markings, and character, and every catch is followed by the same respect and admiration—beautiful, powerful river dwellers designed perfectly for their environment.
Many of the fish caught have just finished spawning, and their appearance reflects weeks of active feeding. Wide bellies and sharp coloration show how well these fish have recovered. After quick admiration, they’re gently released back into the water.
Saving Fuel While Staying in the Game
With rising fuel costs impacting everyone, optimizing your boat’s performance is more important than ever. The segment transitions into a practical lesson on fuel efficiency for anglers. Simple steps like properly trimming your motor and running at optimal RPMs can have a major impact.
For example, with the Lund 1650 Rebel XL powered by a Mercury 60 EFI 4-stroke and a Spitfire prop, the best MPG is achieved at 4,500 RPM, yielding 8.2 miles per gallon while cruising on plane. This outperforms both low-speed and high-speed ranges in fuel efficiency. Pairing this with regular maintenance and quality fuel additives ensures long-term savings and smooth engine operation.
Dynamic Tools for a Changing River
Rivers are always changing—log jams form and collapse, sandbars shift, and new hot spots emerge season to season. That’s what makes river fishing both challenging and exciting. Some log jams will hold fish year after year, while others may vanish in a single flood season. In this ever-evolving environment, electronics like the Minn Kota iPilot Link and Humminbird’s LakeMaster maps give anglers a huge edge. They provide the ability to anchor electronically, trace depth contours, mark and revisit productive spots—all controlled remotely or from the fishfinder screen.
Fish-On Firefight: Strength and Surprise
The action intensifies as another big cat takes the bait. A powerful strike triggers a spirited fight, and it’s a struggle to keep the fish from burrowing into the wood. These battles showcase the raw athleticism of catfish—often misunderstood as sluggish bottom feeders. In reality, channel cats are aggressive carnivores, especially during late spring and early summer when they return to feeding zones after spawning.
Working as a team, the father and son duo manage the chaos of fast runs and thick cover. One spectacular fish bends the net and nearly pulls them overboard. The adrenaline is real, but so is the laughter. The truth about catfishing? These fish pull hard, hit fast, and test gear and angler alike.
Adjusting for Better Hookups
Interestingly, they discover a simple yet effective adjustment that increases hookup rates—leaving the rods in holders rather than hand-holding them. It turns out that premature hooksets were costing them fish. By letting the fish load the rod, the hooks set themselves more naturally, especially with aggressive strikes. Sometimes, a little patience pays big dividends.
