When I went to Lake Barkley for the first time, I sat on the edge of the water in the early morning silence and observed a vivacious family motorboat from one “buoy” to another, catching fish and laughing as they did. Although I had never seen this method of fishing before, I was hopeful that this Rockwellian moment would eventually become a part of my life. Being who I am, I was already picturing my husband in charge of a boat full of kids and grandkids.
Later that day, we encountered the Malones, a family who had been in the boat. When we first met them, they were showing us their morning catch and explaining how they “jug” fished for catfish. I was hooked. My renewed interest in catfishing necessitated a trip to Wal-Mart to buy equipment. Because of his curiosity and DIY tendencies, my husband set up the noodle lines that evening. Luck ensured a catch the next morning.
The Blue Catfish and the Scaleless Channel Catfish are the most prevalent catfish species in Lake Barkley. The skin of young Channel catfish is greenish-gray with black spots. The spots disappear as they get older, and their skin turns gray. A bluefish is the fish on the right with the white belly. A Channel catfish is the one on the left (thanks, Bruce!).
Other catfish information that may be useful should you choose to go jug, or as we like to say, “noodle,” fishing includes the following:
Catfish do not have teeth. Instead, as they swim, they use suction to draw food into their mouths.
I’ve observed two methods of catching catfish, both of which involve rigging baited lines at night. One technique is to use a long trotline that has about 100 large hooks and many evenly spaced disc-shaped weights.
The other is known as jug or noodle fishing. 
How to noodlefish: Set up your prepared collection of baited noodles in shallow water sometime in the late afternoon. The next morning, go out and pull each noodle in. We typically catch two or three fish out of every twelve noodles we set. When the wind or a large fish drags the noodles away, you occasionally have to go looking for them. The adventure includes looking for a noodle that has drifted across the lake.
1 yellow or orange swim noodle that is four feet long and a knife to cut it into twelve-inch segments duct tape, scissors, and a sharpie marker 40 feet of thin, braided polyester string and a lighter to burn and seal the ends One tape measure to measure the lengths of string Four big fishing hooks Four half-ounce casting sinkers (weights) One dry sponge One skewer to make holes in the noodle One jar of foul-smelling, sticky catfish bait (we use Sonny’s Super Sticky Channel Cat Bait)
Instructions: Cut a swimming noodle into four equal parts. Use brightly colored noodles so that you can see them bobbing in the water from a distance. To more easily distinguish your stash of noodles from those belonging to others, create a stripe on one end with duct tape in a bright color.
One ten-foot length of string should be cut for each noodle line. For the string to not unravel, melt and seal each end with a lighter.
Put a big fish hook on the end of each string. Use a bowline knot to secure the attachment.
Attach a weight by creating a loop with the string, threading it through the weight’s clasp hole, and pulling the weight through the loop of string about 12 inches in from the hook. Next, tie a knot to secure the weight in place.
The finished hook and sinker should look like this: 
Now for the other end of the string: Poke a hole through the noodle as shown using the pointy end of a skewer. Make a tiny slit with the edge of a scissor on the flat end of the skewer. To make a guide for the string to be run through the tiny hole, slide the string through the slit. Knot the string around the noodle, as shown.
As an alternative, you could just do the following to secure the string to the tube:
Cut a sponge into little squares. Make extra squares to store in your tackle box. Secure one sponge on each hook.
When not in use, store the string with the hook and sinker attached around the noodle with the hook safely tucked inside the styrofoam.
Dip the hook into the gooey catfish bait just before you’re ready to drop your noodles into the water. Throw the baited noodle line into the water. Repetition is necessary to bait and throw into the water all of the noodles. When possible, ask others (like visitors) to help you with this unpleasant baiting task. Thanks, Rex! .
Each baited noodle should be thrown into a pool of water no deeper than eight feet. You want the weighted hook to sink to the level of catfish because they are bottom feeders. We usually set the noodles in coves.
Early the following morning, check your noodles for fish. We pull the noodles from the water using a mooring hook. Sometimes, but not often, and not at all when the waters are calm, the noodles will drift. : .
When we were out early one summer morning reeling in our flimsy little noodle lines, we noticed a husband and wife team hauling in one fish after another from a trotline. Compare our single hook technique to how the pros do it. We took the boat over to watch and visit with our mouths wide open.
They had a long, thin, wooden tub in the middle of their boat with a gasoline-powered motor that kept the water in the tub churning, which was an interesting method this couple of seasoned fishermen used to keep their catch as fresh as possible until they got home.
The small fish, which appeared enormous to us, was being thrown back into the water by the couple. About ten minutes later, they waved us back over and gave us a bucketful full of their rejects! How thoughtful of them! We gushed with gratitude and they must have seen how impressed we were with what they called small.
My husband repaired the fisherman’s cut (hooked) finger while we were visiting with them, and two weeks later we discovered a supply of homemade jams and a thank-you note in our docked boat, but that’s another tale.
We met a brother and sister team a few years ago, once more early on a Sunday morning, as they were removing their fishing boat from the water after bringing in their morning catch. I asked if I could see their stash. They had a huge cooler-full of fish. I asked if they were going to sell the fish. They said they were stocking up for their winter food. I asked if I could watch them clean the fish. They lived nearby and invited us over. Such a friendly and gracious team, these siblings were. They allowed me to record their fish cleaning procedure on video. They used an electric carving knife to complete the task quickly, just like so many other fishermen we have since encountered on the lake.
The fish we caught last week was cleaned and prepared by my husband and our neighbors, the Carters. This recipe makes enough for four people as an appetizer. The fish was light, flaky and delicious.
4 approximately 6-ounce catfish fillets 1 cup crushed garlic croutons 1 tablespoon Tony Chachere’s Creole Original Seasoning or seasoned salt 1 teaspoon lemon garlic pepper canola oil garnish with lemon slices
In a ziplock bag, crush the croutons into large crumbs. Add the fish and remaining seasonings. Gently toss until fillets are well coated.
An inch-deep cast iron skillet with canola oil in it should be heated in the meantime. Fish can be added when a drop of water sizzles in the oil. Gently lay the fillets in the hot oil. Turn over and cook the other side until flaky and lightly browned. Serve hot.
Enjoy! Here is our Southern Living magazine-style photo moment. 
Room and boat rentals are available at the Lake Barkley State Park and Marina.
P. S. Like most states, Kentucky requires a fishing license for you to go fishing. You can apply for one here.
Follow Judy’s Chickens on Instagram to see pictures of my dinner preparations, backyard chickens hanging out, and vegetables growing.
© 2014-2019 Judy Wright. All rights reserved. Photos and text may only be used with written consent.
Step 8: Leaders and Weight
The length of the leaders, which are tied with 30 pound test fishing line, is about 18 inches. That is what I use, but everyone has a different preference. Ive used anywhere from 2/0 to 8/0 circle hooks. I have yet to observe a significant difference. I have also caught small fish on large hooks and large fish on small hooks. I palomar knot the 3/0 snap swivel before snelling the hooks to the line. YouTube has lots of videos on tying these knots.
The weight is a 2 pound cannon ball weight. I purchased a mold that makes weights of 2 pounds and 3 pounds. The mold is somewhat expensive, so if you’d prefer, you can look into alternative techniques. I hate pouring lead. Scares the heck out of me. Molten lead is freakin hot so be careful!!!!!.
The final image demonstrates how the weight and leader are connected to the mainline.
Italian style meals, sustainable gardening tips, and lots of segues in between
When I went to Lake Barkley for the first time, I sat on the edge of the water in the early morning silence and observed a vivacious family motorboat from one “buoy” to another, catching fish and laughing as they did. Although I had never seen this method of fishing before, I was hopeful that this Rockwellian moment would eventually become a part of my life. Being who I am, I was already picturing my husband in charge of a boat full of kids and grandkids.
Later that day, we met the family who had been out in the boat, the Malones. Within minutes of meeting them, they were explaining how they “jug” fished for catfish and showed us their morning catch. I was hooked. My new enthusiasm for catfishing ensured a trip to Wal-Mart to buy supplies. My husband’s curiosity and DIY nature ensured he would have the noodle lines rigged and set that evening. Luck ensured a catch the next morning. 
The most common types of catfish in Lake Barkley are the scaleless Channel Catfish and the Blue Catfish. When the Channel catfish are young, their skin is greenish-gray with black spots. As they age, the spots go away, and their skin turns gray. The fish on the right with a white belly is a Blue. The one on the left is a Channel catfish (thanks, Bruce!). 
Other catfish information that may be useful should you choose to go jug, or as we like to say, “noodle,” fishing includes the following:
Catfish do not have teeth. Instead, they use suction to pull food into their mouths as they swim. 
I’ve seen people catch catfish two ways; both involve setting baited lines at dusk. One method is to use a long trotline weighted down with many evenly spaced disc-shaped weights and about 100 large hooks. 
The other is known as jug or noodle fishing.
How to noodlefish: Set up your prepared collection of baited noodles in shallow water sometime in the late afternoon. The next morning, go out and pull each noodle in. We typically catch two or three fish out of every twelve noodles we set. When the wind or a large fish drags the noodles away, you occasionally have to go looking for them. The adventure includes looking for a noodle that has drifted across the lake.
How to rig a catfish noodle (makes 4):
Supplies: 
1 yellow or orange swim noodle that is four feet long and a knife to cut it into twelve-inch segments duct tape, scissors, and a sharpie marker 40 feet of thin, braided polyester string and a lighter to burn and seal the ends One tape measure to measure the lengths of string Four big fishing hooks Four half-ounce casting sinkers (weights) One dry sponge One skewer to make holes in the noodle One jar of foul-smelling, sticky catfish bait (we use Sonny’s Super Sticky Channel Cat Bait)
Instructions: Cut a swimming noodle into four equal parts. Use bright yellow or orange noodles so you will be able to spot them bobbing in the water from afar. Use colorful duct tape to make a stripe on one end to better distinguish your noodle stash from those belonging to others. 
Cut four ten-foot long lengths of string, one for each noodle line. Use a lighter to melt and seal each end of the string so it won’t unravel. 
On one end of each string, attach a large fish hook. Use a bowline knot to secure the attachment. 
About 12 inches in from the hook, attach a weight by making a loop with the string, running the loop through the weight’s clasp hole, and then pulling the weight through the loop of string. Next, tie a knot to secure the weight in place. 
The finished hook and sinker should look like this:
Now, for the other end of the string: Using the pointy end of a skewer, make a hole through the noodle as shown. On the flat end of the skewer, make a little slit with the edge of a scissor. Slide the string through the slit, thus creating a guide so you can run the string through the small hole. Knot the string around the noodle, as shown. 
Alternatively, you could just attach the string to the tube in this way: 
Cut a sponge into little squares. Make extra squares to store in your tackle box. Secure one sponge on each hook. 
Wind the string, with the hook and sinker attached, around the noodle, tuck the hook into the styrofoam for safety, and store until ready to fish. 
How to noodle fish:
Just before you are ready to set your noodles in the water, dip the hook with its dry sponge into the gooey catfish bait. Throw the baited noodle line into the water. Repeat until all the noodles are baited and tossed into the water. Whenever possible, invite others (such as guests) to do this stinky baiting job. Thanks, Rex! 
Throw each baited noodle into shallow water that is about eight feet deep. Since catfish are bottom feeders, you want the weighted hook to sink to their level. We usually set the noodles in coves. 
The next day, get up early and check your noodles for fish. We use a mooring hook to grab the noodles out of the water. The noodles sometimes drift, but not too far, and when the waters are calm, not at all. :
Ta Da! 
How the pros do it
When we were out early one summer morning reeling in our flimsy little noodle lines, we noticed a husband and wife team hauling in one fish after another from a trotline. Compare our single hook technique to how the pros do it. We took the boat over to watch and visit with our mouths wide open.
This couple of experienced fishermen had an interesting system for keeping their fish as fresh as possible until they got home — they had a long, thin, wooden tub in the middle of their boat with a gasoline-powered motor that kept the water in the tub churning. 
We noticed the couple was throwing the small fish, which looked huge to us, back into the water. They must have seen how impressed we were with what they called small because about ten minutes later they waved us back over and gave us a bucketful full of their rejects! So thoughtful! We gushed with thanks. 
My husband repaired the fisherman’s cut (hooked) finger while we were visiting with them, and two weeks later we discovered a supply of homemade jams and a thank-you note in our docked boat, but that’s another tale.
Cleaning the fish
We met a brother and sister team a few years ago, once more early on a Sunday morning, as they were removing their fishing boat from the water after bringing in their morning catch. I asked if I could see their stash. They had a huge cooler-full of fish. I asked if they were going to sell the fish. They said they were stocking up for their winter food. I asked if I could watch them clean the fish. They lived nearby and invited us over. Such a friendly and gracious team, these siblings were. They allowed me to record their fish cleaning procedure on video. They used an electric carving knife to complete the task quickly, just like so many other fishermen we have since encountered on the lake.
How we cook catfish
The fish we caught last week was cleaned and prepared by my husband and our neighbors, the Carters. This recipe makes enough for four people as an appetizer. The fish was light, flaky and delicious.
4 approximately 6-ounce catfish fillets 1 cup crushed garlic croutons 1 tablespoon Tony Chachere’s Creole Original Seasoning or seasoned salt 1 teaspoon lemon garlic pepper canola oil garnish with lemon slices
In a ziplock bag, crush the croutons into large crumbs. Add the fish and remaining seasonings. Gently toss until fillets are well coated.
Meanwhile, heat canola oil in a cast iron skillet (about 1 inch deep). When a drop of water sizzles in the oil, it is ready for the fish. Gently lay the fillets in the hot oil. When lightly browned and flakey, flip over and cook the other side. Serve hot. 
Squeeze with lemon juice before serving. 
Enjoy! Here is our Southern Living magazine-style photo moment.
The Lake Barkley State Park and Marina is available for room and boat rentals. 
P.S. To go fishing in Kentucky, as in most states, you’ll need a license. You can apply for one here.
LET’S STAY CONNECTED!
Follow Judy’s Chickens on Instagram to see pictures of my dinner preparations, backyard chickens hanging out, and vegetables growing.
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© 2014-2019 Judy Wright. All rights reserved. Photos and text may only be used with written consent.
Step 6: Putting It All Together
Attach a PVC cap with glue to a 2 foot section of PVC pipe. When that dries slide on the spool assembly. Make sure the spool is oriented as shown. Next slide on a section of pool noodle. Flip the assembly around and install the washer. There is more than enough PVC pipe in the two foot section. I enjoy cutting the PVC pipe specifically for the length of the pool noodle being used. I take a measurement of 3/4 of an inch from the washer once it is in place. When everything is put together, you want to make sure that the spool can still spin freely. Once I’ve made my mark, I slide everything off the pipe and cut it to length. Don’t cut it too short! I mark my name and address on the washer while it’s off to conform to the state’s marking requirements. Repeat the assembly procedure after cutting the pipe to get back to the situation depicted in the third picture above. To secure the entire assembly, the final step is to glue the end cap in place. I apply the adhesive to the inside of the cap rather than the pipe to prevent it from smearing everywhere. If the adhesive touches the plastic washer, it will dissolve it.
FAQ
How do you make noodles for catfishing?
Overall length is around 30 feet. merely a matter of how far you want to be able to fish The 2 pound weight can be removed using the snap swivel for simpler storage. You tie a loop on the end of the main line and slide it over the spool as shown to attach the main line to the spool.
How long should fishing noodles be?
Noodling, which primarily occurs in the southern United States, is the act of catching catfish with just one’s hands. The noodler sticks their hand into a catfish hole they’ve found to catch the fish.
What is a fishing Noodle?
The Noodle floats on its side until a fish takes the bait; all you have to do is tie on your baited line and drop it into the water. Your fish will immediately pop up on the Noodle to let you know!