Hillbilly handfishing

[RandySki]

Anyone ever check out this show on the Discovery Channel? A bunch of people jump into a river, find out where the catfish are spawning, stick their hands into where the fish are and yank them out. Looks wild and crazy!

[ppine]

I have respect for people that fish this way. But it seems like it is in the same categories with mud bogging, alligator hunting, and NASCAR.

[bsmit212]

I saw about 5 mins of this show. Did watch the mudcats show on history through. They pulled out some big old fish. If this is what you like to do have fun the go have all the fun you want. Personal I like my fingers to much to go sticking my hands in a dark hole without knowing whats up there unless I have to, haha.

[ChadTower]

Originally Posted by bsmit212

Personal I like my fingers to much to go sticking my hands in a dark hole without knowing whats up there unless I have to, haha.

Too... many... prom night jokes...

[Marshmallow]

I've never even heard of this kind of fishing. It sounds almost unfair, doesn't it? I mean, how would you like to be scooped up while you're in the middle of birthing your babies.

[Pathfinder1]

Hi...


I think I heard the Fat Lady singing after watching it for just a few minutes...!!

[jason]

Originally Posted by ppine

I have respect for people that fish this way. But it seems like it is in the same categories with mud bogging, alligator hunting, and NASCAR.

What is wrong with those, especially gator hunting?

[campclose]

It sounds like fun to me, although I would never do it. Heck you don't know if you might pull a snake out! Forget about it. I like to fish from shore with a rod.

[Hikenhunter]

Originally Posted by bsmit212

I saw about 5 mins of this show. Did watch the mudcats show on history through. They pulled out some big old fish. If this is what you like to do have fun the go have all the fun you want. Personal I like my fingers to much to go sticking my hands in a dark hole without knowing whats up there unless I have to, haha.

I second that. Some of those holes could have snapping turtles in them. I never saw anyone get bitten by a snapping turtle but I saw what they can do to a broom handle.

[dinosaur]

Catfish of all varieties including the small bullhead need a tunnel or deep depression of sorts for breeding. They protect their eggs until they hatch. Some do so well after the hatch, even draw the young into their mouths to keep them from being eaten.

Noodling, which is the method of catching these bedding catfish has been around for a very long time. Originally it was done on smaller catfish utilizing a finger as bait, hence: noodling. These "hillbillies" as you call them have simply taken it to an extreme level challenging ever larger catfish and turning it into an extreme sport that can be dangerous.