I want to catch my first catfish. What rig and bait should I use?

Tom Bennett, Worthing

ASIMPLE, strong set-up is all you need. I’d suggest a hair rig of at least 12ins made from a strong hooklink material, terminating in a specialist catfish hook or an extra-strong size 2 carp hook.

Set it up on a running lead system to reduce the resistance felt by the fish. As for hookbaits, the smellier the better, with pungent meaty or fishy flavours a good choice. We’ve recently had several big cats from our lakes on two Munchbaits Bio-Marine 18mm boilies topped with high attract pop-ups glugged in a matching liquid food.

Finally, add a PVA bag filled with small pellets to the hook to attract the small fish that the cats prey upon. This really helps to draw the big moggies towards your hookbait.

Zenia Drury-Gregorek