Join Tommy Vaughn of No Wake Guide Service as he demonstrates the essentials of winter catfish trolling with planer boards. Vaughn dives into his proven techniques for catching blue catfish in the winter, focusing on key tactics to target these giants on ledges.
TACKLE AND GEAR (retail links)
- ROD – Meat Hunter Boss Hog Rod, 7’6″ Heavy Action: Buy at Meat Hunter Rods
- REEL – Shimano Tekota 500LC Reel: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at FishUSA
- LINE (braided mainline) – Power Pro Spectra Braided Line, 50-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at FishUSA
- LINE (monofilament leader) – Slime Line Monofilament, 50-pound: Buy at Tackle Bandit
- HOOK – Daiichi D 85 Z 0 Circle Chunk Wide H, 7/0: Buy at Amazon
- WEIGHT – Tackle Bandit Structure Snakes, 4-ounce: Buy at Tackle Bandit
- SWIVEL – Luhr-Jensen Luxon Chain Swivel: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- PLANER BOARD – Parks Planer River Board: Buy at Tackle Bandit
- FISH FINDER – Garmin EchoMAP UHD Fish Finder: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- FORWARD-FACING SONAR (FFS) – Garmin LiveScope Plus System Bundle: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- ROD HOLDERS – Rodzilla Smackdown Rod Holders: Buy at Amazon
- CAST NETS – Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- TROLLING MOTOR – Garmin Force Kraken: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
FRESH BAIT MATTERS
When winter arrives, Vaughn prioritizes fresh, bleeding bait like gizzard shad. He explains that fresh bait enhances your chances of success and appeals to larger catfish relating near ledges. Vaughn emphasizes using bait with high-scent content to increase strikes and walks us through how to cut bait for catfish.
FINDING THE RIGHT LOCATIONS
Vaughn highlights the importance of identifying ledges near river channels and coves. During winter, baitfish often gather in coves due to winds funneling plankton into these areas. Targeting depths between 20 and 30 feet, Vaughn uses sonar to locate shad schools stacked near the bottom, a telltale sign of prime fishing spots.
PULLING BOARDS TECHNIQUE
Vaughn demonstrates how to rig planer boards for optimal performance. He uses dragon weights and swivel chains to ensure the bait stays near the bottom while avoiding line twists caused by aggressive and rolling catfish. Vaughn also shares his preference for using planer boards to maintain a wide spread, covering multiple depths effectively.
ADJUSTING THE TROLLING PATTERN
Keeping the boat aligned on the ledge is critical. Vaughn uses a trolling motor with heading hold to maintain a straight path despite challenging winds. With multiple rods set at varying depths, his technique covers a broad range, increasing the odds of presenting his bait to an active catfish.
WHY TROLLING WORKS IN WINTER
Winter trolling isn’t about quantity—it’s about targeting quality. Vaughn explains how covering vast areas of water improves your chances of connecting with a big fish. His rod setup includes Meat Hunter rods paired with line counters for precision and durability.
Tommy Vaughn’s method of pulling boards showcases the perfect blend of preparation, patience, and technique. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or new to winter catfishing, his approach offers an effective way to land monster catfish.
