Kathleen Madigan of Florissant, Missouri has a hilarious stand up on the Missouri tradition of noodling (hand fishing).
Noodling Links
Biography of Kathleen Madigan
Kathleen Madigan is an American stand-up comedian and television personality famous for her more than three decades on the road and her relatable, conversational stories about her Midwestern upbringing and large, aging Irish-Catholic family. [1, 2, 3, 4]
She is widely recognized for several key achievements:
- Critically Acclaimed Comedy Specials: She has released six hour-long stand-up specials across major platforms like Netflix, HBO, Comedy Central, and Amazon Prime Video, including Bothering Jesus and Hunting Bigfoot. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
- Road Warrior: Known as one of the hardest-working comics, she regularly tours over 250 days a year and sells out marquee theaters nationwide. [1, 2, 3]
- Television Appearances: She has made over 40 late-night and daytime talk show appearances and was a prominent fixture on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, holding the distinction of being the only comedian in the show’s history to go completely unchallenged by other contestants. She was also featured on Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. [1, 2, 3, 4]
- Madigan’s Pubcast: She hosts a highly popular weekly podcast that has generated millions of downloads. [1, 2]
- Awards & USO Tours: Madigan has won both the American Comedy Award and the Phyllis Diller Award for “Best Female Comedian” and has completed multiple USO tours to entertain troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. [1, 2, 3]
How to Noodle
Catfish noodling involves wading or diving into murky water to locate underwater cavities where catfish spawn or hide. Youstick your bare hand into the hole to act as bait. When the catfish bites down, you grab its jaw or gills and wrestle it to the surface. [1, 2, 3]
The Noodling Process
Always noodle with a partner who can help spot, assist with the catch, and pull you to safety. [1]
- Find a Hideout: Look for underwater cavities like hollow logs, rocky crevices, or submerged man-made structures. Catfish inhabit these spaces most actively during the summer spawning season when water temperatures rise. [1, 2, 3]
- Block the Hole: Before reaching in, block the opening with your feet or body to prevent the fish from escaping. [1]
- The Bite: Reach your hand into the hole, palm down, and wait for the catfish to bite or clamp onto your hand in defense. [1, 2, 3]
- Secure the Grip: Once the fish bites, quickly take your free hand and reach into the water to firmly grab the catfish by its lower jaw or gills. [1, 2]
- Wrestle it Out: Pull the fish’s head tightly against your chest and use your legs for leverage if needed, signaling your buddy to help pull both of you to the surface. [1]
Safety and Legality
- Gear: Wear durable, protective gloves and long-sleeved clothing or Kevlar sleeves to minimize scrapes and fin punctures.
- Regulations: Noodling is highly controversial and illegal in many regions. Always check the State Wildlife Department Regulations in your area to ensure it is permitted before heading out.
Origin of Term Noodling
The specific historical origins of the practice and its terminology reveal a few different theories: The term “noodling” refers to the folk tradition of catching catfish—typically flatheads—with your bare hands. While the exact origin of the word remains unconfirmed by linguists, several popular theories point to how closely the slippery, squirming fish resembles a wet noodle, or how a fisherman wiggles their fingers like spaghetti to lure it into biting. [1, 2, 3]
- Movement-Based Theory: The most accepted theory is that the name originated from the practice of fishermen wiggling their fingers underwater to mimic the movement of “wet noodles” to trick a catfish into clamping down on their hand. [1]
- The “Wet Noodle” State: Another common theory suggests that after a large, squirmy catfish is pulled from the water, or after a fish twists a noodler’s arm, the human appendage hangs uselessly or flails around much like a wet noodle. [1, 2]
- Linguistic Evolution: Some historians believe the term may stem from informal verbs for casually fiddling, improvising, or messing around (e.g., “noodling around” on an instrument) before it became a distinct noun. [1, 2]
While the exact word emerged later, the bare-handed fishing practice itself dates back centuries. The tradition was documented as early as 1775 among Native American tribes in the Southeastern United States. It is still practiced in several U.S. states where it goes by regional aliases like grabbling, tickling, dogging, and stumping. [1, 2, 3]
Jokes About Noodling
- Why did the noodler bring a fork? He heard the catfish came with a side of noodles.
- Noodling tip: if the fish bites back, you’re either doing it wrong or you’ve found the one that likes hugs.
- I tried noodling for the first time — turns out the fish were doing all the handshakes.
- My fishing date asked if I was nervous. I said only if the catfish asks for my number.
- They say noodling builds character. Mostly mine is “ow” and “wow.”
- What’s a noodler’s favorite music? Anything with a strong bass line.
- I told my boss I was noodling this weekend. He said, “Good — we need more creative problem solving.”
- Why don’t noodlers use calendars? They prefer to go by the catfish schedule: bite now, brag later.
- My catfish has commitment issues — it always slips out of long-term hand plans.
- Noodling: where “catch and release” becomes “catch, admire, and negotiate a peaceful exit.”
- The catfish asked for a handshake and left with my lunch. Fair deal.
- Tried to impress someone by noodling — now they call me Braveheart and Band-Aid.
- If you hear someone bragging about their noodling skills, politely ask for receipts — and a tetanus shot.
- Why did the chicken watch the noodler? To see if bravery was contagious.
- Noodling pro tip: bring a camera — proof helps when you tell the story and everyone thinks you’re just hand-waving.