Though highly illegal in public waters, fish traps work exceptionally well for catfish. Simply buy/build a rectangular meshwire cage that has an inward pointing mesh funnel at one or both ends, through which the cats may enter (a large version of a minnow trap). Once they enter (discarded beef bones work wonders as bait), they can't find the exit-hole and are trapped. A very productive option, but not nearly as fun as a rod-n-reel.

Kelly Duffie
Cypress, TX