Top 7 Baits to Use When Fishing for Catfish

When it comes to fishing for catfish, there’s nothing quite like setting the hook on this lively fish. These powerful swimmers put up one heck of a fight! But just like any fish, cats have their preferences.

What’ll really get nibbling depends on the species and local waters. So whether you’re new to catfishing or an old pro, matching your bait right can make all the difference in bringing some hogs in for dinner.

Let me tell you about some top bait options to up your chances for success.

7. Cut Bait

• Cost: If you catch your baitfish like shad or bluegill, the cost is minimal. Buying fresh or frozen baitfish can cost around $5-$10 per pound.
• Effectiveness: High. Cut bait releases strong scents and oils, which attract catfish from a distance.
• Availability: Readily available in waters where baitfish are found. Can also be purchased from bait shops.
• Best Used For Channel catfish and blue catfish.
• Preparation: Requires cutting the baitfish into chunks. Fresh is preferred, but frozen can also work.

Holding large catfish requires a delicate balance of technique and intuition. Cut bait is one of the most effective options for catching catfish, particularly blue and channel catfish. This bait involves using pieces of fish that catfish naturally prey on, such as gizzard shad, bluegill, or herring.

Fresh cut bait is preferred, as it releases more scent and oils into the water, attracting catfish from a distance. If fresh bait is not available, frozen cut bait can also be effective. The strong scent trail created by cut bait makes it an excellent choice for targeting catfish in both rivers and reservoirs.

6. Chicken Liver

• Cost: Low. Typically costs around $2-$3 per pound at grocery stores.
• Effectiveness: High. Its strong smell is highly attractive to catfish, especially channel catfish.
• Availability: Easily available at most grocery stores and meat markets.
• Best Used For Channel catfish.
• Preparation: Can be tricky to keep on the hook. Wrapping in pantyhose or gauze helps secure it.

Chicken liver is a classic bait that has been used by anglers for decades. Its strong smell is highly attractive to catfish, especially channel catfish. Chicken liver can be difficult to keep on the hook due to its soft texture.

To solve this problem, anglers often wrap the liver in a small piece of pantyhose or gauze, which helps to secure it on the hook. This method ensures that the liver stays intact while still releasing its enticing scent into the water.

5. Hot Dogs

• Cost: Low. A pack of hot dogs usually costs around $2-$4.
• Effectiveness: Moderate to High. Works well, especially when flavored with garlic powder, red Kool-Aid, or anise extract.
• Availability: Readily available at any grocery store.
• Best Used For All catfish species, but is particularly effective for flathead catfish.
• Preparation: Slice and enhance with flavors for better results.

Hot dogs are an economical and surprisingly effective bait for catfish. They are easy to find and prepare, making them a convenient choice for many anglers. Hot dogs work particularly well when enhanced with additional flavors, such as garlic powder, red Kool-Aid, or anise extract.

These flavors increase the scent profile of the bait, making it even more attractive to catfish. Sliced hot dogs that wiggle in the water can be particularly effective for catching flathead catfish.

4. Live or Raw Bait

• Cost: Moderate. Buying live bait like worms or minnows can cost $3-$5 per dozen. Raw chicken or shrimp can cost around $5-$10 per pound.
• Effectiveness: High. Live bait provides movement, while raw bait releases natural scents.
• Availability: Available at bait shops, pet stores, or grocery stores.
• Best Used For: All catfish species, especially larger catfish.
• Preparation: Minimal for live bait; raw bait may need to be cut into appropriate sizes.

Using live bait, such as worms, minnows, or smaller fish, can be highly effective for catching catfish. Live bait provides movement and scent, which can trigger the predatory instincts of catfish.

If live bait is not available, raw bait such as chicken meat or raw shrimp can also be used. These baits mimic the natural food sources of catfish and can be very effective, especially when targeting larger catfish.

3. Homemade Dough Baits

• Cost: Low. Ingredients like flour, oatmeal, and cornmeal are inexpensive, typically costing under $10 for a large batch.
• Effectiveness: Moderate. Effective for herbivorous catfish and can be customized with different scents.
• Availability: Ingredients are easily found at any grocery store.
• Best Used For Channel catfish and smaller catfish species.
• Preparation: Requires mixing and kneading ingredients to form dough.

Homemade dough baits are a great option for anglers who prefer to make their own bait. These baits are made from ingredients like flour, oatmeal, and cornmeal mixed with water.

Dough baits are particularly effective for herbivorous catfish and can be customized with various scents and flavors to increase their attractiveness. Making dough baits at home allows anglers to experiment with different ingredients and find the perfect recipe for their fishing needs.

2. Stink Baits and Blood Baits

• Cost: Moderate. Commercial stink baits cost around $5-$15 per container. Homemade blood baits may have varying costs depending on the ingredients.
• Effectiveness: High. Their strong odors are irresistible to catfish, particularly channel catfish.
• Availability: Commercial versions are available at bait shops. Homemade versions require sourcing specific ingredients.
• Best Used For Channel catfish.
• Preparation: Commercial stink baits are ready to use. Homemade blood baits require mixing and setting.

Stink baits and blood baits are known for their strong, pungent odors, which are highly attractive to catfish. These baits are typically made from decaying protein sources, such as blood or other animal parts.

Stink baits are especially effective for channel catfish, which rely heavily on their sense of smell to locate food. Anglers can purchase commercial stink baits or make their own using a variety of ingredients.

Blood baits, made from congealed chicken or beef blood, are also popular and can be wrapped around treble hooks for easy use.

1. Unusual Additions

• Cost: Varies. Using items like old bay shrimp, pickle juice, or cheddar Metts can range from $2-$10 depending on the item.
• Effectiveness: Variable. Some unusual baits can be very effective, offering a unique scent profile.
• Availability: Depends on the item, but generally available at grocery stores.
• Best Used For: All catfish species, especially when conventional baits aren’t working.
• Preparation: Minimal, usually just involves cutting or preparing the item for hooking.

Some anglers have success with less conventional baits, such as old bay shrimp, pickle juice with chicken breast, or cheddar Metts. These unusual baits can be particularly effective because they offer catfish something different from what they usually encounter. The strong flavors and scents of these baits can attract catfish from a distance and entice them to bite. Experimenting with unconventional baits can lead to surprising and successful results.

Conclusion

Fishing for catfish requires little observation of their natural diets and a willingness to experiment. The tricks are using aromas and textures that call to what they’re used to finding floating by.

Even just sticking with tried-and-true stinky classics can work magic. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to get creative if the regular stuff ain’t biting – those unconventional additions might hold the key to your next big catch.

You bait up, tight lines, and good luck out there! With the right ingredients, you’re sure to enjoy the feisty fight these prized fish put up on the end of your line.