Catfish Hunting: Ultimate River Tactics

Drifting and trolling tactics for big-river catfish.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 fishing—this time, it’s a special day shared with his son Nicholas, 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. 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.