Nighttime Catfishing: River Jet's Premium Experience

Published Date: July 16, 2025
Fishing

Ohio
$375 - $750 price range
Updated Date: October 20, 2025

Summary

Get ready for an all-night catfishing adventure on Ohio's rivers with River Jet Outfitters. We'll push off as the sun sets and spend 8 to 10 hours targeting channel cats and maybe even some big flatheads. Our experienced captain knows exactly where these whiskered giants hang out after dark. We'll use live bait to tempt them, giving you the best shot at hooking into some real heavyweights. It's a peaceful way to experience the river at night, but don't be fooled – when a big cat takes the bait, you're in for a fight! Whether you're after a trophy or just love the quiet thrill of night fishing, this trip delivers. Perfect for pairs of anglers, we've got room for two on the boat. Remember, deposits can't be refunded, so check our Trips & Rates page for details before you book. Grab your fishing buddy and join us for a memorable night on the water!

Nighttime Catfishing: River Jet's Premium Experience

Nighttime Catfish Action

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Solid smallmouth action on the river!

Feisty smallmouth made the day!

Night Fishing for Ohio's Whiskered Giants

Get ready for an unforgettable night on the water with River Jet Outfitters' Half Day Guided Night Catfishing Trip in Ohio. This 8 to 10-hour adventure kicks off as the sun sets, giving you prime time to tangle with some of the biggest catfish these waters have to offer. Whether you're a seasoned catfish chaser or new to the night fishing game, our experienced guides will put you on the fish and show you the ropes of after-dark angling.

Moonlit Whiskers

As darkness falls, the river comes alive with the promise of big catfish on the prowl. We'll launch in the evening twilight, setting up shop in the catfish hotspots our guides know like the back of their hand. You'll be fishing with live bait – the ticket to enticing those big channel cats and maybe even a trophy flathead. The peaceful quiet of the night is broken only by the splash of feeding fish and the screaming of your reel as a heavyweight takes the bait. This isn't your average fishing trip; it's a full-on nocturnal adventure that'll have you hooked from the moment we push off from the dock.

Night Fishing 101

If you've never fished after dark, you're in for a treat. We use specialized gear to make night fishing a breeze, including glow-in-the-dark bobbers and line markers that help you detect even the subtlest bites. Our boats are equipped with gentle lighting that won't spook the fish but will let you see what you're doing. We'll show you how to rig your bait for maximum effectiveness and teach you the patience required for night fishing. It's all about feeling the bite and knowing when to set the hook. Don't worry if you're new to this – our guides are pros at helping folks of all skill levels land some serious catfish.

Why Night Owls Love It

There's something special about being on the water at night. The stars overhead, the gentle lapping of waves against the boat, and the anticipation of what might be lurking in the depths below – it's a recipe for an epic outing. Our regulars keep coming back because night fishing offers a whole different ballgame. The big cats tend to feed more actively after dark, giving you a shot at hooking into some real monsters. Plus, there's the added challenge of relying more on your other senses when visibility is low. It's fishing with an extra dash of excitement that daylight trips just can't match.

Catfish on the Menu

Blue catfish are the stars of the show on our night trips, and for good reason. These whiskered behemoths can grow to impressive sizes in Ohio waters, with some topping 50 pounds or more. Blue cats are known for their powerful fights and tend to be more active feeders at night. They prefer deeper holes and channels, which is where our guides will position you for the best shot at hooking into a giant.

Blues are opportunistic feeders, gobbling up everything from smaller fish to crayfish and even the occasional duck or muskrat. Their keen sense of smell helps them locate food in the dark, which is why fresh cut bait or live offerings can be so effective. Spring and early summer are prime times for trophy blues, but these fish can be caught year-round with the right tactics.

What makes blue catfish so exciting to target is their combination of size and fight. When you hook into a big blue, be prepared for a battle. They'll use their bulk to dive deep and test your equipment and your arm strength. Landing a trophy blue cat is a true accomplishment and one that'll have you grinning from ear to ear in those post-catch photos.

Time to Get Catty

If you're itching to tangle with some of Ohio's biggest freshwater fish under the cover of darkness, our Half Day Guided Night Catfishing Trip is calling your name. Remember, spots are limited to just two anglers per trip, so you're guaranteed personalized attention from our expert guides. While we can't promise you'll land a record-breaker, we can guarantee an action-packed night on the water with a real shot at some serious catfish action.

Don't let another fishing season slip by without experiencing the thrill of night catfishing. Grab a buddy, book your trip with River Jet Outfitters, and get ready for a night of whisker-pulling action you won't soon forget. Just be warned – once you've felt the tug of a big cat in the dark, daytime fishing might never be the same again!

Learn more about the species

Blue Catfish

Blue Catfish (Ictalurus Furcatus) Fish Description

Blue Catfish are known for their slate-blue bodies. However, they are often mistaken for the Channel Catfish because of their appearance. To identify them, people usually count the rays on their fins. Blue Catfish only have 30-36 rays on their fins. Another is to look closely at the anal fin. Blue Catfish’s anal fin has a squared-off edge whereas Channel Catfish have a rounded anal fin. They also have a dorsal hump which the Channel Catfishes don’t really have.

Known also as Blue Cat, Blue Catfish have similar traits to that of their catfish cousins. They have a deeply forked tail which is where they got their scientific name. Blue Catfish also have a bit of an underbite, which makes them more prone to surface feeding. Blue Catfish, like all other catfish, have whisker-looking barbels that place them in the Catfish group.

Blue Catfish Diet and Size

Blue Catfish are terrifying hunters and are often described as opportunistic. Like their other catfish cousins, they eat virtually anything. Though, they have a preference for crawfish, some freshwater mussels, frogs, and other aquatic substances that are readily available. Larger Blue Catfish are also known to become predators of the Asian Carp.

Anglers usually notice the Blue Catfish feasting on some baitfish under a school of feeding Striped Bass. In a way, Blue Catfish act like scavengers when it comes to hunting for food.

Blue Catfishes are the largest among all the North American catfish species. Blue Catfish range between 25-46 inches and weigh at an average of 81.5 lbs.

Interesting Facts about the Blue Catfish

Blue Catfish are considered pests in some states like Virginia.
- When anglers catch Blue Catfish, they’re usually told to kill them to cull their numbers.
- Blue Catfish love feeding on Blue Crabs which is detrimental to Virginia’s fisheries.
Blue Catfish are so sturdy for their ability to handle brackish water.
- It has a low mortality rate due to its intimidating size and its success rate as a hunter.
Because the population of Blue Catfish exploded, some people have even resorted to electrofishing.
- Electrofishing is a technique that scientists often use to stun or impair the fish.
  - Doing this allows them to research more into the fish.
- However, some states have opted to use Electrofishing as a means of culling Blue Catfish. Some have caught around 700 Blue Catfish per hour!

Blue Catfish – Fishing Techniques: How to Fish for a Blue Catfish

Like any catfish, they prefer freshly-cut up bait. Having cut fresh bait has the blood of the bait drip into the water which will seduce the catfish via its taste receptors on its body. Once the Blue Catfish detects it, they’ll start heading to your bait. Some people have noted that herring, sardine, and even chicken liver will be a good bait for catching a Blue Catfish.

As for leaving your bait, let it sink all the way to the ground. Blue Catfish are opportunistic so they’re not going to attack a bait that’s constantly moving. Let it fall to the ground until you feel a nibble. Wait for a good 1-2 nibbles (though it depends on how much bait you put) before reeling it in.

Others use Electrofishing which uses a cathode and anode to attract them to you. Once they come to you, they’ll suffer a slight “stun” or shock but that doesn’t affect their meat quality. It will make it easier for you to catch though and you just might find yourself hauling out a lot.

Make sure you also bring leather gloves or gloves that have a lot of friction. They’re slimy and they will put up a fight so you’ll need gloves to have a good grip on these slippery creatures.

Blue Catfish Habitat and Distribution

The best place to start fishing for Blue Catfish is a place where they are considered pests. So, Virginia might be a good place to start.

Once there, start looking in lakes and rivers. Blue Catfish stay in those kinds of places but they do have a specific requirement: it has to be near some sort of tidal creek. Since Blue Catfishes follow the tides, they usually end up the creek and stay there especially if they found a channel or hole to their liking. The holes need to deep and have to be muddy at the bottom. Once, there you can give it a shot.

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