| Some of the baits I have used for used for | | | | matter if it was raw or grilled with seasoning. So if you |
| CATFISHing here on the Ohio River are, chicken liver, | | | | have some scrapes left over from a cookout just put |
| minnows, shrimp, Spam, French Fries and more.Fresh | | | | it in a small freezer bag. If you have a friend that |
| chicken liver works better than frozen liver that has | | | | works in a restaurant that has steak, ask them to |
| thawed out. It does get bites however, cats peck at it | | | | make up doggie bag of scraps for you. It stays on the |
| so by the time you pick up the rod they have cleaned | | | | hook very well when casting and the fish have a hard |
| the bait off the hook. My experience is the fish | | | | time just pecking it off the hook. All of those eight fish |
| swallows the bait more often than getting hooked. The | | | | were hooked, none swallowed it. So I was able to |
| biggest drawback is keeping the bait on the hook | | | | released them to grow bigger for the next season.This |
| when casting from the bank. Trying to get a long cast | | | | past summer I was able to use a casting net to get |
| with chicken liver is very difficult. It seems like half the | | | | some gizzard and thinfin shad for bait. These fish die |
| time the liver will just fly off the hook with any forceful | | | | very quickly. So I just cut them up for bait. Skipjack is a |
| cast. This is no problem if you are fishing from a boat, | | | | great bait if you can get them. Around Cincinnati they |
| just flip it out and feed it line so the current can take it | | | | can be caught on a rod and reel in the Fall. Other than |
| away from the boat for you.Spam does get bites but | | | | that the only place I know for skipjack year round is |
| is even harder to cast from the bank. three out of four | | | | the power plant at Aberdeen Ohio. I have some |
| cast can see the bait go flying in the air before the line | | | | frozen cut skipjack from last Fall to start off this |
| hits the water.Shrimp works well for it does have a | | | | season.July 19 2003 I caught two Channel Cats around |
| scent to it and stays on the hook when casting from | | | | 2 1/2 lbs. using the skin from fried chicken. It says on |
| the bank. You normally have to get the shrimp when it | | | | the hook for casting O.K. Had 3 other bites but they |
| is on sale and freeze it. Then get it out the night before | | | | stripped off the bait. I'm not sure if large cats bite on it. |
| you fish to let it thaw out.Minnows are good for there | | | | Just started using it today. So when your family is |
| are so many fish that will feed on them beside catfish. | | | | done eating their chicken dinner put the scraps of skin |
| So even if the cats are not biting you could get a | | | | in a small zip lock bag in the freezer till you go |
| perch, largemouth bass, stripper or a white bass.Yes! I | | | | fishing.ALso learnd in July 2003 from another |
| did say French Fries as bait! I have caught channel | | | | Catfisherman about Chicken nuggets for bait. He had |
| cats up river and right in the downtown Cincinnati area | | | | been telling me about it a couple time this summer. The |
| on FRENCH FRIES. I did read posting from a guy that | | | | other week I saw him actually catch a 5 lb. channel cat |
| caught a large Flathead on fries by one of the | | | | out of the river using chicken nuggets. He turn to me |
| restaurants on the river in Newport Ky. Any fast food | | | | and said that was the smallest one of the day. He had |
| place that sells fries works. If possible pick some up | | | | landed 5 other cats earlier that morning and released |
| when heading to your spot so they are on the warm | | | | them. HE had stopped at McDonalds and picked up a |
| side. That allows the grease to get into the water to | | | | 6 nugget serving that morning. He said he has used |
| make a scent trail easier.I had great success in | | | | other companies nuggets in the past.I hope you get a |
| February 2004 using chunks of steak for bait. I caught | | | | chance to try out some of these baits this season. |
| 8 bluecats with it, largest being 13 pounds. It did not | | | | Tight lines and plenty of action to all! |