Rob, That noodling (aka grabblin, grabbling, curling, etc) has been around for a real long time, especially in the midwest where the alligator threat is minimal. (would never do that in Louisianna). My grandfather used to do it back in Illinois in the river during the depression, but they would catch all kinds of fish by hand, catfish, carp, buffalo, etc. He told me that my grandmother was the best around at catching carp by hand. Now we just drag a 10′ logging chain behind the canoe attached to a hand crank generator and up they come. All you got to do is scoop em up quickly before they get their wits back.

For more noodling info, you HAVE to see the Girls Gone Grabblin video over at: http://www.catfishgrabblers.com/
It is very cool. There are now lots of grabblin/noodlin vids on youtube now as a few more states have opened up the sport. Most people are now using preconstructed boxes/tubes to lure in the fish (usually under marinas). Much safer than sticking your hand blindly in a hole under a tree along the river bank. That way you may just come back with nubbins.