First let me suggested that you all join us at another thread,
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,143435.0.html There is a lot more activity and information on this one. No need to recreate the wheel.
I have never fished the west side for catfish but catfishing on the east side is something I do a lot of. There are tons of great reservoirs and rivers that hold good numbers of channel cats and some blues. The Tri-Cities area has great fishing in the Columbia River, Snake River, Walla Walla River and Yakima River. I have caught plenty of cats in each of these bodies of water.
To the north of us there is good catfishing at the Potholes, some of seep lakes and Scootney Reservoir.
Further east you will find more of the Snake River and the Palouse River, one of my favorite places to fish for big catfish.
Everyone of these locations, except the Palouse River, has endless bank fishing opportunities.
Tackle is pretty easy, as any medium or medium heavy rod/reel combo will work. Don't need an ultra sensitive rod as the bite is pretty obvious.
Bait is a matter of controversy, usually involving 100 of opinions. You will hear a lot of people say to use rancid old cut bait. Yes this will work but I have always been a big believer in fresh and will often catch my bait the same day and wont chop it until its need to go on a hook.
Seems to work well for me. This is one of our Palouse River trips my son and I made last year.
Hope this helps
