I don't fish for them often, so when I do I want what works. I've caught them on all sorts of live baits, stink baits, flies, crankbaits, jigs...cats will surprise you when you least expect them!
After trying lots of approaches, there is one that has stood the test of time and now stands head and shoulders above every other technique I've used to catch Channel catfish: squid.
This couldn't be simpler.
- Buy yourself a few fresh, whole squid. You can get them cleaned or do it yourself.
- Cut them into pieces about 2 inches by 2 inches, leaving individual tentacles whole. (They already look like worms, right?)
- Place the whole deal into a plastic food storage bag that secures well. Stick this whole thing outside on a hot sunny day in a place where the animals won't get to it.
- Leave it there for the day at least. You can go for two days.
That's it! Now you should have a ripe, stinky bag of squid bits. I have never had a day of Channel cat fishing that produced results like the days when I use squid treated this way. The flesh is tough too, so it holds the hook well.
Just uh, watch out for the cats.
A piece or two on your hook and you'll be finding catfish in places you never even saw them before!
