Baits and Other Catfishing Tips

Using the right bait is probably the most confusing part of channel catfish fishing, and there are nearly as many concoctions as there are catfishermen. Bait selection ranges from nightcrawlers, chicken blood, chicken liver, chicken or fish guts, crawdads, grasshoppers, water dogs, live and dead minnows, cut bait, and a multitude of prepared “stink” baits. The prepared baits most often have one thing in common – cheese. All of these bait preparations and many others are excellent for catfish, and all will catch fish. Selection of a bait from this lengthy list may seem difficult but in actual experience selecting bait for catfish can be made into a rather simple process.

The most important points to consider when selecting catfish bait are to determine the size of fish sought and the water temperature of the lake or river that will be fished. The rule of thumb is to use cut-bait or dead minnows for the best luck in late winter and spring-time just after ice-out. This bait is composed of half-rotten fish and should be fished when the water temperature is less than 60 degrees F. Catfish actively feed on fish flesh and other animals that die during winter and sink to the bottom. The stronger the rotten odor of bait this time of the year, the better the success. Fish in deeper portions of the lake or stream prior to ice melt; then shift your efforts to shallow water afterwards. The shallow water warms faster and attracts catfish into the near-shore reaches. Catfish can be caught under ice conditions, but feeding begins in earnest after the water temperature reaches 40 degrees F.

The keen sense of smell possessed by channel catfish make it one of the few species of game fish that can be readily caught during high stream flows in the spring, summer, and early fall. During these conditions the bona-fide catfishermen prefers to fish during periods of rising water levels. This method is common among catfishermen, but the exact reason for a feeding frenzy by the fish is not understood. Fish surely become more active during this time; however, the converse is true for falling water levels. Catfish usually become less active during falling levels and are less susceptible to the angler. During periods of stable or rising water levels nearly all baits will produce good catches of catfish. Use those baits that are most available under natural conditions.

One of the most popular catfish baits that is easy to store is prepared bait. As water temperatures warm to 70 degrees F and above, many catfish anglers switch to one of the prepared baits. This bait is most effective for pan-sized catfish during mid-summer – June, July and August. Summer is the normal period of low stream flow, and smaller streams can be fished most effectively by wading. A pair of cut-off jeans and old tennis shoes will allow you to walk directly in the stream. Catfishermen seeking larger fish during this period use large-sized baits such as dead bluegill, live chubs, water dogs, crayfish and frogs. Large catfish like a good-sized meal and the movement of these creatures will attract their attention.

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