What is the best bait to use for catfish?

Question

I have a pond in the back of our property that I have just began fishing at. I actually just began fishing period. :) I like it! Anyhow, I have been catching lots of Brim. There are big catfish in the pond, but I don't know what I should use to get 'em with. Any help?

Lol about the Noodleing. I saw that on Dirty Jobs. It was too funny. No chance at all that I would stick my hand down a hole like that, I have a hard enough time cleaning a garbage disposal!

Answer 1

cats eat anything, I have caught them on my fly rod.
I use bacon, hotdogs, chicken liver, old lunch meat, minnows, frogs, small white perch(about 6 inches) cut bait, worms, chicken breast, stinky cheese, blood bait, homemade dough balls, spinners, spoons, eels, flys etc...
as long as it is on or near the bottom they dont care.
if the bottom is not choked with weeds i like to use a river rig. A bullet weight then the hook, take a split shot sinker and put it anywhere from a foot to two feet above the hook(between the hook and bullet weight) that allows them to take a run with it without tension of the line to scare them

Answer 2

Best Catfish Bait For Ponds

Answer 3

I use Blood bait, and they seem to love it. They fight each other over the bait. Make sure that you conceal the entire hook or they won't try for it, though. You can find the Blood bait at bait shops or Wal-mart. Let the catfish strike the hook, they'll play with it a few times, just let them, then when they take the hook and start to run, that's when you reel them in. Don't try it when they're just striking. They like to play a bit first.

Answer 4

Raw Mackerel - cut up into 1/2 inch pieces - bigger or smaller according to the size of the catfish's mouth.

Nightcrawlers, raw chicken livers, cheese or blood bait <--- can be found at your local sporting goods shop.

Answer 5

I go catfishing all the time! Anything stinky. If you let chicken liver sit out in the sun for a few hours works like a charm. The best time for fishing for them is at night.

Answer 6

The bait I use and have the most success with is raw chicken livers. They are tender so you have to keep looping it onto your hook then let it sit on the bottom and keep your line tight and hopefully you will begin landing a few of those big cats.

Answer 7

Salt pork works nicely. I cut an inch and a half square chunk and bury the hook in the bait. Then just let it sit on the bottom and wait.

Answer 8

You could try the Noodlers' approach. They use their fists. Just stick your arm down a hole in your pond and the catfish will grab it, and ... Voila!! Catfish for dinner!
(PS: Noodling is actually illegal in most states! I don't recommend you actually try it. It's just funny what some people do!)

Answer 9

rooster livers!! and when it gets hot, hit it with a little catfish pheramone and it will get them to really hitting the bait.

Answer 10

when I was a kid, we used to mix a little flour and water in a Ziploc bag.....almost like a dough, but not quite that thick.....

after it sits in the bag for a little while...it's the perfect consistency to rip off chunks and roll into a ball and bait your hook.....

we used to catch a TON of fish this way.......big bull catfish that put up WONDERFUL fights for a kid !!!