Catfish fishing tips needed

[Destroyer551]

So I finally found a spot where catfish are supposedlly numerous, though I've only been there once and only caught a small bullhead. I met a guy who fishes there a lot, and says there's flathead, channels, and the occasional blue. And of course lots of bullhead. What would be a good way of chumming, how bout bait? The predominant forage here is shad and shiners, also some bluegill. I have mixed feelings about using bait for cats, sour, or fresh? Lot's say sour, others say fresh. What's you opinion on that? I have some dog food that's pretty fishy. Can I stick it in a panty hose maybe? Throw it out with a rope and weight. Just some thoughts, I need advice quickly cause I'm heading out tomorrow.

Oh, and the area is about 7-12 feet at the deepest.
Rocky and somewhat sandy and openwater, not much places to hide for big cats.

 

[MultispeciesTamer]

For blues I would use fresh dead bait like shad, shinner, suckers, or bluegills. Flathead like live food and your best bet is live bullheads or live bluegills. Ive never bothered chumming for catfish or any fish for that matter. Your best time to catch cat is right before sunset or during the night. Now sometimes you can catch cats during the middle of the day but ive always did better in late evening. YOu also need to use enough weight to keep the bait from moving. I use 65 pound braid and 30 pound mono leader. A 7/0 octopus hook and a 2 oz pyrimid sinker.

 

[T.K.O.P. 8=X]

Chicken liver, bass chunks sit them out for a few hrs in the sun. Night time with a full moon is a set place for catfishing best time here anyways.

 

[BIG_ONE]

Fresh, fresh, and fresh...its been fished, its been tested in lab. Cat rather eat something fresh than something smelly. Early morning, evening and all night. Works great for me.

 

[likestofish]

Bullheads are a food source to large flatheads. Catch a few small ones get a big rod and use them for bait. Clipping the fins about an inch makes them bleed for a blood trail.

 

[TheKrow]

So how'd it go? Catch any?

 

[Destroyer551]

It went ok, could have been better.
Caught a bunch of 10 inch bullheads, and 2 20" channels.
I wanted a monster, cause that's what a lot of people catch there.
But I'll try again.

 

[MultispeciesTamer]

It went ok, could have been better.
Caught a bunch of 10 inch bullheads, and 2 20" channels.
I wanted a monster, cause that's what a lot of people catch there.
But I'll try again.

If you want a monster use bullheads as bait.

 

[likestofish]

If you want a monster use bullheads as bait.

I already said that.

 

[MultispeciesTamer]

I already said that.

I said it in the second post of this thread .