Cutbait advice

[Colin]

Hello all,

I have been fishing the river for catfish lately, and have been catching only small cats on a bottom rig with worms. I have been experimenting with cut baits, specificly, SUCKER MEAT, to try to get into some larger fish. I have been rigging it the same as the worm- line with sliding weight-bead-swivel-12' leader-wide gape hook.

Does anyone have any advice on how to rig/hook this bait to catch larger cats?

I would really appreciate any advice,

Thanks to all!

 

[rusty420]

I take the large minnows 7 or 8 inches. Let them die and sit in sun for a day. Then I cut off an inch or two of the tail. Then throw it out with a big weight about a foot away.
I've got many 30 inch cats this way.
Don't let go of that rod cause when they run there gone. Lol

 

[ccr]

I often use creek chub for cut bait. cut the minnow into about one inch pieces. Personally I like using the head.

 

[Alfiegee]

I don't know why you need to cut. A large live minnows drives Cats crazy at times. I do find frozen sardine cut in 1 inch cubes work well.

Don't let go of that rod cause when they run there gone. Lol

Classic what Rusty said yesterday. I was fishing the Grand with another member and it was fairly slow. He came over to get a light as it had rained most of the day and his wasn't working. I took my eyes off my float to find a lighter. While searching my rod was almost ripped out of my hand. Turned out to be a 2 lb about Cat but he fought like "heck." They are strong fish.

Alfie.

 

[Colin]

Thanks for the advice guys! I was using two inch pieces before so I took it down to one inch. Nothing. Also tried Berkely catfish dough, Nothing. I still managed to get around 15 last night just on worms (some big ones too!) ill have to try using live minnows next time as Alfiegee suggested.

Alfiegee, do you fish those minnows off the bottom or under a float?

 

[Alfiegee]

Thanks for the advice guys! I was using two inch pieces before so I took it down to one inch. Nothing. Also tried Berkely catfish dough, Nothing. I still managed to get around 15 last night just on worms (some big ones too!) ill have to try using live minnows next time as Alfiegee suggested.

Alfiegee, do you fish those minnows off the bottom or under a float?

Hey Colin.
I normally use a float above the minnows (or sardine). Adjust the float to the depth of the water, add a split shot a foot or two above the bait and you're ready to go.
I fish the harbor here in Hamilton and the Grand River for cats and this works in both still and moving water.

Alfie.