05-23-2004, 11:43 PM
[cool][blue][size 1]I doubt if anyone has "endured" more different kinds of catfish baits and "super scents" than yours truly. I have pursued Mr. Whiskers all over the country and have done my share of damage on the Utah Kitties.[/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]My opinion is that almost any bait will work ON SOME FISH...ON SOME OCCASIONS. If you want to catch the most cats, biggest cats and catfish most consistently, you will do well to feed them what they are most in tune with. They're not quite so finicky as a streamborn brown trout, but if they have something special on the menu, and it is generally available, they are not likely to stray from the main course unless they get really hungry.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]The two big items for catfish in Utah are fish meat and crawdads. Of course 'crawlers are often accepted, but most big fish succumb to fish flesh. And, contrary to what some dedicated cataholics believe, fresher is usually better than stinkier. In fact, where it is legal, live minnows and sunfish are the preferred baits for BIG catfish.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Carp meat is both easy to get and makes good cat fodder. But, if you can get some white bass in Utah Lake, a slab of fresh whitie is mighty attractive to a big mama kittyfish. Same with suckers or chubs. One of the hot baits for big nightime cats is a large whole chub, rigged with a trap hook and sliced along the sides to let the juices ooze out.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]If you can't score a carp or some minnows, go to a fresh fish counter and buy some cheap fresh mackerel. That stuff gets soft fast, but it has a great oily cat attractant in it. Cut fillets off the sides and then cut the fillets into 1" chunks for average size cats...larger for lunkers. In fact, save the carcasses after you have filleted them and heave them out on a heavy rig for the biggest baddest "Cha-mu" in the area.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Another good LEGAL fresh fish bait is fresh smelts or small whitefish from the great lakes. Again, cheap and just about the right size for fishing whole, for big fish...or chunking for smaller fish. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]If you ever come back from Lake Powell with some leftover anchovies, serve those up for catfish too. Once netted a 25 pounder for a guy off Lincoln Beach that was soaking a whole 'chovy for walleyes below a bobber.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]A bait that is seriously overlooked for catfish in Utah is crawdads. You can use them whole, or just pinch the tails off and put them on a hook. Catfish candy.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Stink baits? They will catch fish. But, you have to fish upwind of yourself, and you better either be single or have a very understanding wife or girlfriend. Some of that stuff can make a skunk barf.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]There is a whole legion of catfish fans who use "dip baits". They make their own by "brewing up" a mixture of fish parts (and other nasty ingredients) until the whole mess liquifies. Usually takes several days in the sun to get it just right. Then they dip hooks covered with foam or special ribbed plastic dip bait "lures" and sling the mess out to the fish. Using that stuff is definitely not a group thing. Nobody wants to be downwind when the bottle is opened.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Processed meats, like weiners, baloney, Spam and poultry products will all work. They already make different kinds with cheese, garlic and other flavors. On any given day, most of it will work to some extent.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Me, I catch most of my cats on lures. Some I catch on lures without "sweetener". Others I catch on bait bugs or roadrunner jigs especially designed to be fished with a piece of crawler or fish meat. Wherever the water is reasonably clear, catfish become "sight feeders" and will smack lures or flies as readily as they will a piece of bait. Add some flavoring to a bottom bounced lure and you double your chances.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]PS, I once won a bet by catching 20 cats in just over an hour, on Willard Bay...using a six weight flyrod and a black fly. The bet was that I couldn't catch even one cat on a fly...I just rubbed it in a bit.[/size][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][size 1]My opinion is that almost any bait will work ON SOME FISH...ON SOME OCCASIONS. If you want to catch the most cats, biggest cats and catfish most consistently, you will do well to feed them what they are most in tune with. They're not quite so finicky as a streamborn brown trout, but if they have something special on the menu, and it is generally available, they are not likely to stray from the main course unless they get really hungry.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]The two big items for catfish in Utah are fish meat and crawdads. Of course 'crawlers are often accepted, but most big fish succumb to fish flesh. And, contrary to what some dedicated cataholics believe, fresher is usually better than stinkier. In fact, where it is legal, live minnows and sunfish are the preferred baits for BIG catfish.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Carp meat is both easy to get and makes good cat fodder. But, if you can get some white bass in Utah Lake, a slab of fresh whitie is mighty attractive to a big mama kittyfish. Same with suckers or chubs. One of the hot baits for big nightime cats is a large whole chub, rigged with a trap hook and sliced along the sides to let the juices ooze out.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]If you can't score a carp or some minnows, go to a fresh fish counter and buy some cheap fresh mackerel. That stuff gets soft fast, but it has a great oily cat attractant in it. Cut fillets off the sides and then cut the fillets into 1" chunks for average size cats...larger for lunkers. In fact, save the carcasses after you have filleted them and heave them out on a heavy rig for the biggest baddest "Cha-mu" in the area.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Another good LEGAL fresh fish bait is fresh smelts or small whitefish from the great lakes. Again, cheap and just about the right size for fishing whole, for big fish...or chunking for smaller fish. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]If you ever come back from Lake Powell with some leftover anchovies, serve those up for catfish too. Once netted a 25 pounder for a guy off Lincoln Beach that was soaking a whole 'chovy for walleyes below a bobber.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]A bait that is seriously overlooked for catfish in Utah is crawdads. You can use them whole, or just pinch the tails off and put them on a hook. Catfish candy.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Stink baits? They will catch fish. But, you have to fish upwind of yourself, and you better either be single or have a very understanding wife or girlfriend. Some of that stuff can make a skunk barf.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]There is a whole legion of catfish fans who use "dip baits". They make their own by "brewing up" a mixture of fish parts (and other nasty ingredients) until the whole mess liquifies. Usually takes several days in the sun to get it just right. Then they dip hooks covered with foam or special ribbed plastic dip bait "lures" and sling the mess out to the fish. Using that stuff is definitely not a group thing. Nobody wants to be downwind when the bottle is opened.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Processed meats, like weiners, baloney, Spam and poultry products will all work. They already make different kinds with cheese, garlic and other flavors. On any given day, most of it will work to some extent.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Me, I catch most of my cats on lures. Some I catch on lures without "sweetener". Others I catch on bait bugs or roadrunner jigs especially designed to be fished with a piece of crawler or fish meat. Wherever the water is reasonably clear, catfish become "sight feeders" and will smack lures or flies as readily as they will a piece of bait. Add some flavoring to a bottom bounced lure and you double your chances.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]PS, I once won a bet by catching 20 cats in just over an hour, on Willard Bay...using a six weight flyrod and a black fly. The bet was that I couldn't catch even one cat on a fly...I just rubbed it in a bit.[/size][/#0000ff]
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