New to fishing, and getting my bait stolen

[Sparko]

Mice don't last long under water.

micefish do. They are the prime food source of catfish. It's settled science!

[KingsGambit]

Thanks for all the help. I think I'm going to try some of the chicken liver bait they sell at Wal-Mart, marketed specifically for catfish. Another question: Any recommended sinker weights for catfish in particular?

[Bill the Cat]

Thanks for all the help. I think I'm going to try some of the chicken liver bait they sell at Wal-Mart, marketed specifically for catfish. Another question: Any recommended sinker weights for catfish in particular?

Catfish are bottom feeders. The stronger the current, the heavier your sinker will need to be. Unless you are fishing in stagnant water, split shot (4 oz "bank sinkers") is insufficient. Use a 1 pounder for most pond or lazy river fishing. Anything with a current, you will need larger sinkers.

[Sparko]

Are you going to take Annie fishing with you?

[mossrose]

You don't like catfish?

Have never eaten catfish. Had a bad experience as a child with something with whiskers my Dad pulled out of the Pacific Ocean. He left it on the dock and didn't tell me and I stepped on it with my bare feet. All I could feel were icky whiskers against my toes.

Probably needed therapy.......

[rogue06]

Have never eaten catfish. Had a bad experience as a child with something with whiskers my Dad pulled out of the Pacific Ocean. He left it on the dock and didn't tell me and I stepped on it with my bare feet. All I could feel were icky whiskers against my toes.

Probably needed therapy.......

Probably the Leviathan when it was still a baby oh Ancient of Afternoons










I know, I know. My sig line says it all.

[mossrose]

I later saw my sister beating the thing through the space between two dock boards with the handle of a fishing rod.

Needed therapy for that one, too.

[rogue06]

micefish do. They are the prime food source of catfish. It's settled science!

And some catfish are definitely not worth messing with

[rogue06]

Probably needed therapy.......

Needed therapy for that one, too.

So the one incontrovertible fact that we have learned from this thread is that mossy needs therapy.

[mossrose]

So the one incontrovertible fact that we have learned from this thread is that mossy needs therapy.

And this is a surprise, how?

[rogue06]

And this is a surprise, how?

And now you know why it took so long for you to get some of your custom smilies back. We needed to give you a waiting period.

[Cow Poke]

I was going to suggest that!

Couple of things:

1) be careful about using the smaller hooks. It can tear through the mouth of the larger fish, and you end up with no bait again.
2) Catfish like denser bait. Chicken gizzards work great and the sunfish and bluegills can't tear it apart as easily. Squid works good too, but they can tear some off if it is too thin. Artificial baits like Berkley PowerBait Catfish Chunks serve the same purpose
3) Catfish prefer live bait to dead. While nightcrawlers are a preferred food, things like frog legs and crayfish are super baits that the smaller fish will not touch.

I'm downright compressed!

[KingsGambit]

Are you going to take Annie fishing with you?

I'd like to. We were thinking about introducing her to net fishing.

[Cerebrum123]

Caught this guy today.

2014-06-06 15.25.01.jpg

Oddly enough I snagged him.

[Cerebrum123]

I have one pic of one my mom caught, but it keeps failing to upload.