Live Bait

Cut Bait

All lures

Scent trail that pulls in big catfish.

Technique

Bottom rig

Depth

5-40 ft

Water Clarity

Any

Best Conditions

Rivers, warm water

Spring Summer Fall

About This Lure

Chunks of oily baitfish fished on the bottom, the go-to for channel, blue, and flathead catfish.

How To Fish It

Secure your cut bait to a sturdy hook using a bait thread or elastic line to ensure it stays during long casts and aggressive currents. Anchor your boat or fish from the bank, placing the bait directly on the bottom where catfish cruise for scavenging opportunities. Allow the rod to sit in a holder with the clicker engaged, giving the fish time to commit before setting the hook.

Retrieve Cadence

Dead-sticking on the bottom with no active retrieval until a strike occurs.

Best Colors

Fresh Shad/Skipjack— Clear to stained water when scent trails are key.

Bloody Carp— Low visibility or muddy water conditions.

Sunfish/Bluegill chunks— Targeting trophy-sized Flatheads.

Sizes & When To Use

1-2 inch chunksTargeting smaller eating-sized Channel catfish.

Whole filletsStandard use for Blue and Channel cats in current.

Whole large head sectionsTargeting trophy-class Flatheads during night sessions.

Commonly Rigged On

Carolina rigSlip sinker rigThree-way swivel rig

Recommended Gear

7-9 ft Medium-Heavy power, Moderate-Fast action casting rod paired with a heavy-duty baitcasting reel spooled with 40-65 lb braided main line.

Pro Tips

Use a fillet knife to cross-hatch the skin to release more scent oils into the water column.
Keep your bait as fresh as possible; if it turns mushy, change it out immediately.
Place the hook through the toughest part of the meat or the eye socket to prevent it from being stripped off by small bait stealers.
Use high-vis line for your leader to ensure you can track your bait placement in murky water.

Species This Lure Catches