When fishing during the day, look for the deepest water available. At night, fish the edges of deep holes first; if you don't connect with a cat, move the bait into progressively shallower water, sometimes as little as 2 or 3 feet. Sandbar edges provide some of the best fishing in the river. If one area doesn't produce, move to another, and keep moving until you pinpoint fish.

An egg-sinker rig works well when fishing the areas just described. The egg sinker (2 to 8 ounces, depending on current speed) is placed on the main line above a barrel swivel. To the swivel's lower eye, tie a 36-inch leader with a 5/0 to 8/0 barbless octopus or circle hook. When drifting and casting to shallow flats, try a slip-bobber rig. Shad and skipjack herring are the baits of choice for most trophy seekers, with the fresh fish prepared as cut bait and impaled on the hook.

Sturdy tackle is a must. A good all-round outfit is a 7-foot medium-heavy fast-action rod paired with a good-quality baitcasting reel spooled with 30- to 40-pound-test braid.

Carry a big landing net, keep your drag set at a point just below the breaking strength of your line, and always keep a firm grip on your tackle. The Mississippi's giants can yank a rod and reel into the water quicker than you can say boo.

Whatever the bait or rig, and wherever you fish it, you can expect to more channel cats by fishing the hours between dusk and dawn as by fishing during daylight. The blackest nights are best, especially if heavy rains have muddied the water in the river.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Several Mississippi River access areas are available in Arkansas, among them the Sans Souci Landing near Osceola, the 8th Street Landing in West Memphis, Peters Island in Lee County, the St. Francis Landing (access to Mississippi via St. Francis River) north of Helena, and Panther Forest Landing north of Lake City. All are on county maps included in the Arkansas Outdoor Atlas, available from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission by phoning 1-800-364-GAME or logging on to www. agfc.com.

Fishing regulations also are posted on the Web site and are available in the current guide available at fishing license dealers statewide.

Always be safety-conscious on this gargantuan river. Strong current and undertows can get you in pickle if you aren't careful, and barge traffic is incessant. Keep a safe distance from these big boats, and always wear a life jacket.

You may not catch a world record cat the next time you fish in the Mississippi River. But if you employ the right tactics under the right conditions, you're almost certain to catch plenty of eating-size catfish, and every time you visit, there's a chance you'll catch a monster bigger than any you've hooked before.

(Editor's Note: To order Keith Sutton's latest book, Catfishing: Beyond the Basics, send a check or money order for $22.45 -- Ark. residents should also add sales tax -- to C&C Outdoors, 15601 Mountain Dr., Alexander, AR 72002.)