catfish bait--help

[bigun]

i am mostly a bass fisherman but in the slow times this summer i plan on trying my luck on some of the big cats--is there a difference between shad and skip jacks--do you freeze them whole and cut up when ready to use or cut up before freezing or is there a difference.any help would be appreciated--thanks emoConfused

 

[Guest]

Catch the skipjacks when they are running below the dams, freeze them, when fishing for them, cut across the skipjack to cut a steak about an inch or 2 inches wide, fish them frozen, they will thaw as you use them. Use large circle hooks and enough weight to keep it on the bottom, constantly working the bait up and down. Don't set the hook, just reel when one gets on. Hang on for dear life.

 

[bigun]

thanks for the information,that what i needed to knowe moSmile

 

[djbogle]

Doc's right, it works. BUT, he taught me something else...they'll also hit chicken breast and weenies. A hunk of breast meat about the size of a tennis ball will sometimes get a hit when they won't hit skipjack. The cheapest, reddest (is that a word?) weenies that you can find will get a hit when nothing else will. I 've also caught them on yellowfins (them little rascals that run the wall below the dam). HMMMMM, there might be a pattern here.... SOMETIMES THEY'LL BITE JUST ABOUT ANYTHING!!! JUST HAVE FUN TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT.emoLaugh emoThumbsup

 

[minner]

I prefer to fish with skipjacks that have been fully thawed. IMO they are bloodier and oilier if at "room" temp. Becareful though, don't let them all thaw at the same time or they will start to get soft on you.