The best bait for channel catfish in rivers, lakes and ponds is undoubtedly what they’re biting on. Now, the question is, what are some of their favorites they like biting on? It’s easy, ask or experiment for yourself.
Take time and look along the bank for signs of bait that was used by other people while fishing. This is a technique I use when fishing new spots. The trash left over from others can tell you a lot about what everyone is using to catch catfish.
You’ll find chicken liver containers, nightcrawler containers and sticks with dip bait on it. Hot dog packages and other signs of bait used can be found along the banks and shores where anglers was catfishing.
I love using chicken livers and hot dogs during the spring and fall months. You can’t beat night fishing with chicken livers during April, May and early fall. During the summer months, I have luck with dip baits, punch baits and blood bait dough balls.
The deepest holes will yield the best results for catching channel cat during those months. The size may vary, but it’s the best time to catch channel cats.
The late fall months are the best time to catch bigger catfish and the best bait to catch channel catfish during the fall has always been nightcrawlers and hot dogs for me.
As the water gets colder, it’s harder to find where the fish are migrating to, but it’s a great time to catch a monster catfish.
Shrimp is another bait I use to catch channel catfish. I love using this bait in more shallow waters like 5-8 ft. with a bobber. You don’t need expensive shrimp. Get the smaller already frozen shrimp from the grocery store. There is a ton of catfish bait in the grocery stores. You can also get effective baits from health stores. I know this might sound weird, but soap is used in many areas to catch big cats.
The winner for the best bait to catch catfish is nightcrawlers. Worms are hard to beat when fishing on the bottom near old dead trees, cover and around along the edges of flats where there are trees over hanging the water.
These are some of the best baits for channel catfish. The next step is to find out which one they’re biting on, once you find out where they’re hiding. Put all of those steps together and you will catch big channel catfish.