So far,I have only caught one catfish in my entire 15 years of life. I want to catch more but instead of using a lure, which cau

[Zach]

So far,I have only caught one catfish in my entire 15 years of life. I want to catch more but instead of using a lure, which caught the first one, i am planning on using different dough baits or dip baits i have seen advertised. But i have some questions. How well do dough & dip baits work and which one (Dough or Dip) works best if i want to catch catfish. Also, are there any suggestions on how to present these types of baits to the catfish in order to catch them?

[shane]

Mold a good strong doughball around a big treble hook, and above that string on one of those spongy stinkbait tubes, dip the whole thing in a sick nasty rotting reaking concoction of your choice (chicken innards and cheese are good starting ingredients). Hang it 3 feet below a good sized sinker, throw it out there, and hold on tight.

[daysofelk]

catfish are bottom dwellers, if you want to use stink bait, roll up some in a ball and toss a few around where you want to fish to attract them. they also like shrimp and worms. I have caught catfish with minnows on a trot line. I know of some people who stuff a bunch of stinky stuff in a sock weight it down and chunk it in the water where they will be fishing. good luck

frank

[Jim in Mo]

Use worms. And baiting the area as suggested is a great idea.

[jbird]

Dough's are good, but don't rule out chicken livers, hot dogs, worms, or small fish (shad,bluegill,etc.)

[jay]

besides the basic baits mentioned I've heard of guys catching catfish on chunks of Ivory soap.

[007Dom]

at night is the best time. I fish off of the dock I just drop my bait in right there. And I know it sounds wierd but I use hotdogs and usually within 30 minites I have about 10 catfish.

[Zach]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

[matouse3]

I have found the Berkley Gulp dip balls to be very effective. I was even using them under bobbers if you can get the line down there low enough. But working them still right off the bottom works well too. Stink baits with the stink bait worms (these hold the stink bait) works well too. Worms and cut bait are old stand bys as well. Don't forget to bring a clean towel with you and some tongue depressors to push the dip worms around in the bait canisters.

[Jim in Mo]

jay, I've heard the ivory soap thing to. Never tried it.

[Big O]

Do they have a bait called "Catfish Charlie" where you live? Try on rod/reel, trot-lines, or jugs. Has always worked well for me.

[FloridaHunter1226]

I would say to skip the dough, because I have not had that much luck with that, and go straight to chicken or turkey livers. Add sinker and your ready to go.

[hunterkid94]

i just caught a 8lber last night and i use a dough which i mold into a ball and then cast and let it set. i was called bloody bloody.

[dannyjs25]

I do not like dough or livers. Neither stay on well. I've had some luck with dip bait on a plastic holder. However, frozen shrimp and live worms seem to work the best. Shrimp is the best bait to use in heavy currents I have found.

[dannyjs25]

PS- Unless you aren't dropping the bait straight down or using minnows, you should use enough weight the current won't move the bait. This way, you know for sure you have a fish and it's not just the current.