Catfish Noodling?

[Live2Fish]

Anybody here do any catfish noodling?

A friend of mine does it. He thinks it's the closest thing to getting back to his roots (he's part Indian) as he can get. Personally, I'm not really fond of being in the mirky water (too many other parasites swimming around). I do get a huge kick out of watching it, though.

[big country]

i'm all for getting back to your roots,i'm part indian also but you ain't gonna find me sticking my hands in a hole i can't see what's in there.....lol

[Schoe]

Especially in your neck of the woods I wouldn't run my hands and arms under water for fear of one of those big Snapping turtles or Gaters wanting to get my attention. There isn't much I won't try as long as I can see whats going on. Schoe

[big country]

lol....
schoe the gators don't really worry me, it's the snappers and mocasins that have me worried.....;)

[Gordon]

when I was a youngster, and several of us were "grabbling" in Little Kaney in Arkansas. When we would touch a fish we snatched them out and tossed them on the bank. My father shouted and threw a big cottonmouth out. It had bit him in the back of his hand and it was a bad bite. He got it under a stump.
I think about that now days but I do not do much of that anymore.

[FisherBuddy]

Dang, Gordon. You just confirmed the reason I won't try it. If something slithery came out instead of a fish I'd probably die of a heart attack. I've never been one for surprises of that nature.

[FisherBuddy]

And GoFish, you are crazy! If the fish wanted to stay in its hole that bad (bad enough to drag me down with him), I'd probably let him. There is absolutely no joy in drowning...or so I imagine. And I've read it on someone's signature line...if you drown and there's no fishing in heaven...well, it won't be a grand place for some. ;)

[Schoe]

Although I have outgrown any urge to grab, noodle, or handfish, I would like to see it being done sometime. Schoe

[big country]

kirk,i reckon thats how i'm gonna go out then ,cuz i ain't trying that in these parts especially....lol

[Live2Fish]

I have to say when I started this post I never imagined so many great responses. LOL!

I'm definitely rethinking my friend's invitation to join him again. While we've never taken anyone with us for the "show" or to help with the other hole you speak of, Captain. I have the feeling he might have plans to use my big foot for the other end this time! ;-)

[Gordon]

Capt.Kirk, You said the magic word, DEN. I recall some, when the water was low in the summer, people would put old tubs and things like that with a hole in one or both ends in the water. They would come back in the spring when the cats were spawning and gather up some of them. Nowdays some would say that is not sporting but we were poor and there were a lot of mouths to feed. We always had to look out for each other. We never collected all the fish from a hole for the same reason. They are mostly males guarding the girls EGGS when they den up.

[big country]

kirk he said, and i quote......
we can skin a buck and run a trot line...
not lets put our hands in a submerge hole where you can't see and feel around for a giant catfish and hope you get back all your fingers..cause a country boy can survive......lol

[big country]

i can see how that would make one concerned......

[big country]

ok then kirk,:p you started to have me worried there for a min......lol:p

[big country]

:p well kirk look at the bright side you through that ordeal pretty good with only a broken finger to complain about considering how bad it sounded.....:cool:

[FisherBuddy]

Amazing. I have to admit I've taken all of the things in everyone's said about noodling...and I just don't think I care to do it. More times than I care to admit I've let a fish go rather than jump in after it. So I guess there's no hope of me trying this. But I like to live vicariously, so if anyone goes I'd love to hear about it. :)

[dudly2252000]

WELL!! just when i thought i liked catfish as much as the next fellow, once again i am surprised.. getting into the water.... Fresh water at that!!!!!! with the cottonmouths and snappers and big Al(gator), just don't seem like a choice i'd make if i were planning on enjoying life a few more years. tell you what you guys are WARRIORS and i'd love to see it done, but my chances are better at winning the fl lottery than taking that daring leap into the water on there turf lol..back home in la we have 6ft+ alligator gar fish roaming constantly. have any of you guys been finned by any of those big catfish?..that could be life threatening i imagine!!