First Time Catfish Noodling @ The Okie Noodling Competition

In a special series of articles known as The Amateur by Spencer Hall, Hall goes on his first catfish noodling expedition during the Okie Noodling competition with a few other experienced catfish noodlers. In addition to play-by-play details of noodling for catfish, Hall also provides his own dialogue in which the catfish noodler and the catfish have a conversation about what is going to happen to the catfish after he is caught. 

For expert catfish noodling advice, look no further than the DVD tutorials by Oklahoma's own catfish noodling pioneer, Jerry "Catfish" Rider. 

Check Your Laws! Catfish Noodling Legality

This past June, four Iowa catfish noodlers were arrested for... noodling! Apparently, in Iowa, you can get into some serious trouble for catfish noodling. Over 170 pounds of catfish were confiscated as well as a small boat. Up to date, catfish noodling is only legal in 12 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Texas. Reasons for catfish noodlings illegal status in these other states is due to the states seeing the practice as being too dangerous or to the ecosystem. For log onto CP North America for additional details on the arrest in Iowa. 


Before you decide to go noodling, make sure you check the laws in your area to ensure you're on the right side of the law. Also before you hit the murky depths, make sure you know what you're doing with tips from Jerry "Catfish" Rider. Let the catfish noodling veteran Jerry "Catfish" Rider show you the ropes in order to make your noodling experience the most successful one it can be! 

Catfish Noodling Deemed the Latest "Extreme Sport"

Despite many states still outlawing catfish noodling, this has not hurt catfish noodling's appeal in other states. Thanks to coverage of catfish noodling from the annual Okie Noodling Tournament in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma and shows like Animal Planet's "Hillbilly Handfishin'", catfish noodling has never been more popular. As more people give catfish noodling a try, from new-comers to the sport to Congressman Ryan's admission to enjoying the thrill of the catch in the murky depths, more brave souls are wanting to give the age-old sport a try. According to a recent write up in the Tyler Paper, catfish noodling is now considered one of the newest "extreme" sports to hit the mainstream. To learn how to get in on the action with quality catfish noodling instructional DVDs, look no further than the official website of Jerry "Catfish" Rider. Look through his video collection and find out how to have the legend himself come speak at your next event! In the meantime, stay cool and safe in the murky lakes and rivers! 

2012 Okie Noodling Tournament Champions

A group of Claremore catfish noodlers made history this weekend at the 2012 Okie Noodling Tournament with a 70.46 pound catfish; the largest ever caught in the famous competition. The annual catfish noodling tournament played host to catfish noodlers from all over the country as they came to Pauls Valley, OK to show off their prized mudcats. Taking grand prize was 24-year-old Claremore native Kaleb Summers. When Kaleb isn't competing, he's showing people around Oklahoma on his nature tours and even takes a few brave souls into the murky depths for a one-on-one catfish noodling tutorial. For details on the catch and the tournament, log on to this Sport Extra feature on Summers. For more on catfish noodling, technique, or hiring a seasoned pro for speaking engagements, log on to the official site of Jerry "Catfish" Rider. 

The 13th Annual Okie Noodling Tournament is Here!

It's that time of year again! It's Okie Noodling time! The 2012 Okie Noodling Tournament is almost underway in beauty Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. Some of the world's greatest catfish noodlers go head-to-head and hand-to-hand for the 13th time in the world's most famous catfish noodling competition. The tournament kicks off Saturday, June 23rd at Wacker Park. You don't have to be a catfish noodler to enjoy all the festivities that will be kicking off at noon. From blow up toys, a petting zoo, to face painting and a wide variety of food and beverage vendors, there is sure to be something for the entire family to enjoy. For budding catfish noodlers, there will be a children's catfish noodling clinic as well as a catfish eating competition for those who think they can put away the most catfish. Weigh in will be at 6pm and the tournament officials would like to remind all competitors that they must have their paper work in on time in order to compete. For more information, visit the Official Okie Noodling Tournament website. As always, you can brush up on your skills by checking out the products and services of Jerry "Catfish" Rider.

Texas Legalizes the Great Sport of Noodling

CBS News sent one of their correspondents to Texas to see what catfish noodling was all about. As catfish noodling gains popularity from television exposure and write-ups in outdoors magazines, not only are more people getting into the age-old sport of hand fishing, but also catfish noodling regulations are loosening their grip on the sport to give more people a shot at wrangling their own catfish. For more information the perspective that CBS News reported, be sure to visit their site to check out their video report on catfish noodling here. 


Don't forget that the annual Okie Noodling Tournament is just around the corner. For more information, check out the Travel OK website.




As always, for the finest catfish noodling instructional DVDs and tutorials, look no further than the expert; Jerry "Catfish" Rider. 

5 Tips For Successful Noodling

Are you already an angler looking for a new challenge? Have you been curious about catfish noodling for a while but don't know where to start? It's definitely not as a easy as it looks. In order to get you started on the path of being a successful catfish noodler, the folks from Catfishing Tips Today have come up some of the essential ingredients to share with you on how to help you get that catfish you've always always wanted using your bare hands! For a step-by-step tutorial, check out this blog post from Catfishing Tips Today and find out where to begin. For a more hands-on (pun intended) tutorial, check out the official website of catfish noodling legend Jerry "Catfish" Rider for an assortment of DVD tutorials to get you noodling before you know it.

Okie Noodling Returns!

Just around the corner is the 12th Annual Okie Noodling Tournament back where it all began in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma on Saturday, June 23rd. Noodlers from all over the country will be coming out to compete to see who can get the largest catfish in the water. Noodling demostrations will be taking place and one of the largest fish fries will be going down for all to enjoy. For more information, log onto to Pauls Valley's official website for further details about those wishing to attend as well as those who desire to compete. To get psyched up for the event and learn more, check out the official website of Oklahoma's most famous noodler, Jerry "Catfish" Rider, and pick up any one of his instructional DVDs to give you an advantage against the competition. We'll see you there!