The Catfish Caller (AKA “Clonk”)

The catfish caller or clonk has been used in Europe for many years to catch giant Wels Catfish, but has just recently been introduced in the United States. The clonk is a device that makes a noise that simulates the sound of feeding fish. This triggering inactive fish to start biting. Recently it was discovered that it would also work in the United States on our catfish as well. Catfish guides like Denny Halgren and Mike Cook give it credit for help catching flatheads, channel cats, and even blue cats. When asked if it worked Denny says, “You tell me in 15 minutes.” If the fish are biting well, the clonk isn’t needed, but when the bite is slow it could be the best tool in your box. The clonk may be the element you need to keep a slow day of fishing from turning into a boring trip.

Does it really work? I think so. I have done some personal study. I recently took it along to the lake where some personal friends were fishing for channel cats. They had been fishing for over an hour with no luck. I told them about the clonk and they laughed, but they said it can’t hurt and we tried it. I used the clonk for about one minute, and then we waited, within five minutes one of them caught a nice channel cat. I then used the clonk again for about one minute, just as I was pulling it from the water, two poles bent over, and then a third. They then landed two more nice channel cats. The one on the third pole got away due to shortage of hands. To cut to the chase they caught four fish within about 30 minutes. And they thought the fish weren’t biting. Does it work? I think so!

— Jack Love