If you really want to catch a big catfish, and I mean really big, you will want to know what the best bait for catfish is. Something that works better than anything else for Flathead catfish. Yes, Flathead, those monsters can weigh as much as 123 lbs, the record and are regularly hauled in weighing 40-80 lbs.
No matter what you have used before there is one bait that consistently works better than any other bait for Flathead catfish in most situations. But you will have to check because in some states it is illegal to use. But if it is legal in your area you had better have the heavy tackle ready. You will need it.
The best bait for catfish, flatheads that is, is bullhead catfish. Catfish are the “sharks of fresh water” and are extremely territorial. Bullheads cause a territorial reaction in all species of catfish. Catfish do not have a problem eating their own. Putting a bullhead in their territory will make a big catfish very aggressive.
You will want a 4-6 inch bullhead. Hook him through the mouth with a number 4 octopus hook. Toss him out there and hang on tight because he is going to get nailed. I hope you brought the heavy tackle because if you didn’t you will never get that monster in.
I have to warn you, check your local rules and regulations. Bullhead are considered game fish in some states so you have to check and make sure they are legal to use as bait.
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The next time you go catfish fishing be sure to take a casting net. It is how I get the best catfish bait for big cats. If you don’t know how to throw one don’t worry about. You can pick it up in an hour or two of practice. Once you have it down you won’t forget it.
Why do you need a casting net to get the best catfish bait for big cats? Because you want fresh live bait. Just about any species will do but be sure to check your states regulations on live bait. My favorites are bluegill and shad but bluegill are illegal in some states. Both are abundant in just about any waterway. Also don’t rule out bullhead catfish as Flatheads and Blues don’t seem to have a problem eating their own species. In fact, Flatheads will often times prefer Bullhead over Shad.
Now that you have your live bait let’s make sure that your rig is set up right. You should have a medium to heavy rod with at least 20# test line, I use 50# spider wire, with a 20# leader and numbers 2 – 6 circle hooks depending on how big a cat you are after. Slip a slip sinker on the line, and then tie on a good swivel, a 12-18 inch leader and your hook. Don’t go cheap on the swivel. Cats like to roll when hooked and a big cat will tear a cheap brass swivel up. Fish your bait on the bottom with an open bail. Be sure to set the hook hard when the cat makes a run with your bait.
The big cats Flathead and Blue when mature prefer live bait. They will occasionally go after cut baits but if you want the best bait for big cats you will want live bait. Live bait can be hooked behind the dorsal fin below the spine, at the end of the tail, or up through the lower jaw and up through the nostrils. Don’t be afraid to choose a bait fish 6-12 inches in length if you want that monster cat.
You may be thinking you won’t catch many fish with bait that size and your right. But if you are looking for the big catfish I am assuming you don’t care about the 1 and 2 pounders you can catch with chicken liver then live bait is the way to go. You can always use smaller baitfish or even cut bait if you run out of patience but your chances of landing a 20 plus pound cat are less. The best bait for big cats will always be live bait.
For a catfish bait recipe book designed mainly to catch channel catfish visit Easy Catfish Bait Recipes
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Last weekend at about 10PM on Sunday night my wife told me she wanted to take the kids and head for the lake in the morning. Furthermore I was told that we were going to take the jet ski. No problem I love to have my family with me at the lake but….NO BOAT and NO CATFISH BAIT. I decided not to worry about it I would make something in the morning. After all I did publish a catfish bait book.
We got up at 7am and I got the truck loaded with all the accessories, chairs, gazebo, water toys, fishing gear etc.. I thought I was in good shape time wise but Marlen told me we had to go pick up her niece. I had 15 minutes to put together my bait. Now I had a choice to make.
Take the ingredients to make baits at the lake or make something easy right then. I figured i wouldn’t have more than a couple of hours fishing before the kids wanted me to take them on the jet ski so I decided to make something quick now. Here is the recipe for what I made and how I put it together.
Ingredients
Wheaties (you can use any corn flake type cereal, I just have always used Wheaties)
Garlic Salt
Get a large bowl and pur the wheaties in. Add a liberal amount of garlic salt and then crush the Wheaties. Add a little bit of water at a time until you have a paste. it should be very sticky. If done right you can put it on any type of hook and it will stay there. Put in a plastic bag and your ready to go.
Now I am going to brag a little bit. When we got to the lake and after everything was unloaded it was 9am and I was ready to get a couple of lines in the water. We had a picnic table not more than 30 feet from the water and I took my gear to the shore. I baited the first pole and cast it out. Before I could even get the other pole baited and in the water I had a hit on the first pole and I got him. A 2-3 pound channel, but a very good omen.
To make a long story short I caught 3 more all in the first 45 minutes I was fishing. I spent about an hour and a half fishing and did not catch any more but we had more than enough to grill for lunch. I also to be honest with you. I have fished the same spot many times and wheaties always seems to perform well so choosing the right catfish bait to make was easier than it would have been in a new location.
Had I been planning to spend more time fishing I would have taken more baits with me or ingrediets to make more if needed. You increase your chances of having the bait they are looking for if you have some variety.
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