spring channel cats

[pabass95]

im going catfishing this weekend at the susquehanna and i am wondering what you guys use for spring time channel cats in rivers

[yakahtak]

I've caught them on big juicy nightcrawlers this time of year before on the river. Seems like a nautral bait but I'm sure others may have better thoughts..

[BigYaker]

I've had the best luck chasing channel cats using live bluegill.

[DLest]

I have had the best luck with catfish using 1.) Cutbait 2.) Beef Liver and 3.) Nightcrawlers down here on the Potomac

[TheCream]

I use a little bit of a different bait for channel cats in my local rivers: beef stew meat. You can get it fairly cheap at a local grocery store, it's chunked about the right size, fish hammer it, and it's almost impossible for them to steal the bait off the hook. Packages I usually find are about $5 for enough to last me several outings!

[Hanover_Yakker]

Take an u/l and catch some bream or bluegills, then use a heavy rig with a 8/0 octopus or circle hook and tail hook the bream . Pure money on the cats here on the James.

[DT]

The cats in the Potomac have been hitting Gulp! 3'' minnows (Emerald Shiner & Watermelon Pearl). Don't know if this will also work on the Susky, but it might be worth a shot as this bait also appeals to other fish. I have also done well with "Lucky 7" catfish baits on a treble hook.

[Kayakjak]

LIVE Bluegill. We like to use 7" to 8" Bluegill and get some monster cats. Early spring they like to hang out where the river runs into the lake here. We catch them in less than 2 foot of water. The rig is sureproof as well. We thread the line through the mouth of the bluegill and out the side and then attach hook from there. Fish stays alive and the cat is easily caught.

[fishaholic]

redworms are a great spring time channel cat bait here in IL.

[ShumBait]

I've catfished all last spring and summer in the Juniata and neighboring waters. I've had the most luck with cut up chub, or other bait fish. Many say the tails don't work, but for some reason they tend to work the best for me. Also, just regular chicken gizzard. I noticed they actually prefer it to be fresh, not slimy or stinky (or you'll catch a turtle). Channel cats also go crazy over hellgrammites. Not sure if you've tried making boilies before, but if you can get the right recipe, they work quite well too.