What’s the best bait for catching catfish in the game?

Catching catfish in Red Dead Redemption 2 requires the right bait, proper location, and a bit of patience. Catfish are one of the larger fish species in the game, and they can be found in specific bodies of water. To maximize your chances of success, you’ll need to use the correct bait and understand the game’s fishing mechanics.\n\nFirst, the best bait for catching catfish is the Special River Lure or the Special Swamp Lure. These lures are specifically designed to attract larger fish, including catfish. You can purchase these lures from the bait shop in Lagras, which is located in the Bayou Nwa region. The shopkeeper, Jeremy Gill, also sells other fishing supplies, but the Special Lures are your best bet for catfish. If you’re early in the game and haven’t unlocked these lures, you can use the Lake Lure as a temporary alternative, though it’s less effective.\n\nOnce you have the right bait, you’ll need to find a good fishing spot. Catfish are commonly found in rivers and swamps. One of the best locations is the Kamassa River, particularly near the area where it flows into Flat Iron Lake. Another excellent spot is the Bayou Nwa region, especially around the waters near Saint Denis. These areas are teeming with catfish, and you’ll often find them in deeper parts of the water.\n\nTo start fishing, equip your fishing rod from your inventory and select the Special River Lure or Special Swamp Lure. Stand near the water’s edge and cast your line into the deeper sections. Use the left stick to aim your cast and the right trigger to release the line. Once your lure is in the water, wait for a bite. Catfish are strong, so when you feel a tug, quickly press the right stick down to hook the fish.\n\nReeling in a catfish can be challenging due to their size and strength. Hold the right stick down to keep tension on the line, and use the left stick to steer the fish away from obstacles like rocks or weeds. If the fish starts to struggle, release the right stick briefly to avoid breaking the line. Once the fish tires out, reel it in by rotating the right stick. Be patient, as catfish can take a while to tire.\n\nOne common challenge players face is losing their lure when the line breaks. To avoid this, make sure to keep an eye on the tension meter at the bottom of the screen. If the meter turns red, release the right stick to reduce tension. Additionally, upgrading your fishing rod at the bait shop can make the process easier, as it increases your chances of successfully reeling in larger fish.\n\nFor new players, it’s important to note that fishing requires a fishing rod, which is unlocked during the mission A Fisher of Men in Chapter 2. If you haven’t completed this mission yet, you won’t be able to fish. Experienced players can use the Legendary Catfish as a fun challenge, but this requires completing the Stranger mission A Fisher of Fish, which becomes available in the epilogue.\n\nIn summary, the best bait for catching catfish is the Special River Lure or Special Swamp Lure. Equip your fishing rod, head to a river or swamp, and cast your line into deeper waters. Be patient and manage the tension on your line to successfully reel in these large fish. With the right approach, you’ll have no trouble adding catfish to your collection.