| Fishermen in Ohio have a huge assortment of fish | | | | because even when the fish are not actually |
| from which to choose during the warmer | | | | feeding, they can usually be enticed by something |
| summer months, but catfishing seems to have | | | | nice and wiggly. Some more popular fishing areas |
| gained in popularity especially in the heat of the | | | | actually have these baitfish available for purchase, |
| summer. | | | | but in most cases you will have to fish first for |
| Probably the most inviting thing about fishing for | | | | your bait when you wish to use baitfish such as |
| catfish is that they are not picky about what | | | | the ones mentioned here. |
| they eat, and will bite almost anything you throw | | | | Most anglers just toss out a net relatively close |
| their way. Natural bottom feeders, catfish will eat | | | | to shore to bring in shad or herring for bait. Just |
| anything smelly, especially if the water is murky | | | | remember to have a place you can keep them |
| (when they rely most heavily on their sense of | | | | where there is plenty of cool, oxygen rich water, |
| smell to find food) but they have been known to | | | | or they will die. On way to do this so to get a |
| bite such unlikely things as bubble gum or ivory | | | | large garbage can, aerate it by putting plenty of |
| soap. | | | | small homes in it, fill it with the water from which |
| Consider using fish guts, chicken hearts or chicken | | | | you pull the bait fish, and when you get to your |
| livers (they work best when wrapped in some | | | | destination, simply allow it to be submerged beside |
| substance to help them stay on the hook, and | | | | your boat. |
| most anglers use something as simple as pieces | | | | If you want to fish for big cat using live bait, an |
| of old pantyhose) bacon, rancid frankfurters, | | | | egg sinker set up would probably work very well. |
| shrimp, shad, mussels or prepared stink bait that | | | | To use an egg sinker, just attach a one to two |
| anglers may buy in sporting goods sections of | | | | ounce egg sinker to the line, and just below it, tie |
| department stores or in bait shops, as well as | | | | a barrel swivel. Tie a leader about three feet long |
| having the option to be make at home. | | | | to your swivel, and finish off your presentation |
| In spite of the decided lack of culinary choosiness, | | | | with a gold Aberdeen hook. |
| catfish do tend to respond to some bait better | | | | A 3/0 should be about the right size for catching |
| than others. Most avid anglers who consistently | | | | the sizes you are after while being made of a |
| fish for catfish believe that live bait is usually the | | | | lighter wire that should allow you to hook your |
| best choice. Consider using minnows, blood or | | | | bait just behind their dorsal fin without doing fatal |
| earthworms, crawfish, or frogs. Consider the | | | | damage. Target cover or structure or |
| types of bait that inhabit the areas naturally, and | | | | depressions near channels, and fish the bottom, |
| try that bait. | | | | and you should have no trouble hooking all the big |
| If you are fishing for big cats, consider using shad, | | | | cat you can handle. |
| skipjack, or herring, and remember live is best, | | | | |