Noodling: Cooking Pasta or Catching Catfish?

 Noodling: Cooking Pasta or Catching Catfish?

The very mention of the word "noodling" makes one think of a chef expertly preparing a type of Italian pasta over a pot of boiling water. In one of the most peculiar fishing tactics ever described, the word is used to describe the practice of catching catfish with nothing more than a large stick and one's bare hands. Indeed, noodling refers to the practice of fishing for catfish by feeling your way through the muddy riverbed. Even better, these catfish have the potential to weigh a ton.

Noodling, often called grabbling, was a practice that existed among Native Americans before European immigration and is now only authorized in a handful of states. Noodling can only be enjoyed by those who venture south to North Carolina, Mississippi, or Arkansas. 

Supposedly, grabbling gained popularity during the Great Depression as a cheap and quick way to feed the family. Grabbling is now mostly done for fun, as the majority of grabblers engage in catch-and-release fishing. Common species caught include flathead, channel, and blue catfish.

When the days become longer and the water gets warmer, catfish go to shallow areas to deposit their eggs, which happens between the end of May and the beginning of July. Sheltered, isolated spots, such as boat ramps, rock crevices, and beachbanks, are ideal. The female catfish leaves the nest after laying her eggs; thus, the male catfish is responsible for protecting the eggs and making sure they stay aerated. 

Until the young catfish are mature enough to leave the nest, the father will remain inside. When it's spawning season, catfish act aggressively. This is why it's important to be cautious not to become a target of such hostility while noodling.

Find bedding catfish by feeling for openings in the riverbed with your bare hands. The catfish is surprisingly delicate and clean for a fish that feeds on the bottom. The catfish will keep clearing its habitat and house, so any openings it finds will be simple to spot. 

Winter is a popular time for experienced grabblers to plan their journeys because it's low water and they can identify prospective hiding places that will soon be underwater. Afterwards, when it's time to spawn, they go back to these spots.

Some people call it a "thump," but when you find your prey, you'll hear an enraged growl. For most of the grabbling adventure, you'll need to submerge yourself; obviously, the longer you can hold your breath, the easier it is to grab. After finding a spot where the catfish will spawn, you can bring them to arm's length by guiding them out of the nest with a large stick.

Now that you know where your target is, put your hand into the hole with your fingers spread wide. After getting angry at your interference, the catfish will strike out in one of two ways: either by attacking your hand or by grasping it and biting it. You should have someone else there to help you if you try to grab his hand, since he might try to pull you into the pit. 

Once he bites, seize his bottom jaw with both hands, encircle him with your legs if needed, and remove him entirely from the water. There will be a lot of twisting and rolling, but if you stick with it, you'll win.

Injuries are always a possibility, so it's safe to say that "noodling" isn't something everyone will like. Maybe the pasta-cooking scenario is more appealing to certain people. However, nothing compares to a "hands-on" fishing experience that people of all ages may enjoy. 

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