Listen, who's knocking?

Tapping is by far one of the most exciting catfish fishing methods. Thick sickles of rising fish on the echo sounder, which seem to be addicted to the sound of the catfish, are without a doubt the reason for this. But it is also the insight into the underwater world and the certainty of what is probably happening on the lure that makes this fishing method so incredibly attractive and exciting. Used correctly, the catfish angler can experience true magic moments in many waters with the right equipment and appropriate presentation of the lures. But this requires a correct approach and tactics.

So how do I proceed?

If I am familiar with the water, I directly approach selected hot spots, which can be deep areas, structural underground or obstacles in the water. I fish these intensively. If the water is not known to me and the desired hot spots are not obvious, location is the key.

Several catfish on the lot, this spot should be saved.

The blockbuster on the sonar.

A Waller follows the bait over longer time,
when will the longed-for bite come?

In stagnant waters, it is best to take advantage of the wind and let yourself drift over the water while tapping. The drift speed should not exceed 3 km/h. Drift bags and electric motors can help if the drift is too fast. In this way, you get to know the water and can quickly get a first impression of its condition.

Vertical rods with multi and stationary reels

The Smellyteaser has leather threads that absorb attractants and release them over a long period of time in the water.

The Smellyteaser is equipped and ready for use.

The knocking noises themselves, which are produced with the help of the waller wood and are ultimately the key to success, can seduce the fish with high frequency on some days and low frequency on other days. As a guideline, a series of successive knocks, about three to eight, should be struck at irregular intervals every ten metres. Depending on the activity of the catfish and the associated indications on the echo sounder, the frequency should be adjusted if there are no bites.

The echo sounder should be adjusted at this opportunity so that the own bait is visible as a line on the display. This is the only way the angler can "hook" sickles (fish) that appear by lifting or lowering the lure and thus increase his bite yield.

A triplet in the back and one in the pectoral fin let the bait fish swim seductively towards the bottom.

The Smellyteaser was again the key to success.

Smellyteaser full.

The following principle applies here: Fish that are rising and standing in a layer of water are NOT "tapped" but only fished! If the fish moves towards the bottom, the lure will remain in place and the knocking will be repeated. This is an attempt to reactivate the catfish and revive interest in our lure. A spectacle, which is worth to experience.

Spoilt for choice - which tackle?

When tapping, short rods between 1.60 metres and 2.40 metres long are usually used. Furthermore we need a small stationary or multi reel with a line holder of about 150 meters of a 35 line braided line. In most cases vertical and spinning rods are used for other purposes. Finally, the tackle used should be light and easy to handle, but also robust enough to take fish beyond the two-metre mark.

Inline rods are especially recommended for tapping, as they are not ringed and the line, as the name suggests, runs inside the rod. Even in strong winds and careless movements the line cannot wrap itself around the rod. With a ringed rod, this scenario would cause chaos on the boat in case of an unexpected bite and in the worst case lead to line breakage.

Waller woods are a dime a dozen. There are no limits to the shapes, colours and depths to be applied. However, in my opinion, simple operation and good handling are particularly important. The sounds must be easy and fatigue-free to tap, because only then the catfish angler will have fun in the long run. Carbon woods are recommended, which meet the above mentioned criteria due to their low weight.