Blue cats biting?

We are out of fish and I'm wanting to take my wife and son catfishing. I'm not chasing the monsters, just the eating kind.

Do I need fresh cut baits or just nightcrawlers? Can anyone give me a few tips? Thanks, Troy

Troy, hit some of the shallow bars right on the river channel near outside bends in the river. I would fish raw shrimp, chicken chunks soaked in red Kool-ade and dry jello mix, or maybe chicken livers. Put a slip bobber on so the bait hangs just a few inches off the bottom.

If using chicken livers, you can pick up some elastic thread at WalMart or a sewing supply store. Take about a 6" piece and start wrapping and stretching it around the liver, that has been placed on the hook, no need to even tie it because it will stay in place when you release it. This really helps, when using any soft baits (livers, clams, mussels, etc.), keep them on the hook.

I most always use raw shrimp shell on ( helps keep on hook). I’ll cut medium shrimp in half. Large in thirds. Some of it I’ll add a little anius oil. (All grocery stores have it). In zip lock bag . Seems like some days they like it better with or without the anise oil. Just like crappie or red ear some days they’ll be here next day there so move if not catching any .
I do best when some wind. Just let the wind take u either with the channel or perpendicular to it if catch 2-3 close to each other then I thro Mark and either make that line again or anchor and fish it for awhile Good luck


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Hey Troy, Commercial guys are using cut up carp. Saw one guy below Barkley dying it like Doug said. Probably get a carp below Barkley from a bow fisherman.

We've been jugging with chicken soaked in cherry koolaid and garlic salt. Going out around 6:00 and staying till dark. We're catching between 5 and a dozen everytime. Mixed bag of blues and channels. Fishing 5 to 6 foot deep under jugs on the flats close to the west bank of the river channel out from big bear bay.