Sunfish Under A Bobber

[JBMasterAngler]

I'm gonna be fishing a lake in WI next week that appears to have a good population of channel cats. I'm considering tossing out a 2nd line with a sunfish under a bobber (more so just to say I did it). Can this be a productive method? I'm guessing stay close to the bottom? What is the preferred hook/hooking method?

Also, just out of curiosity, are rock bass legal to use as bait? If so, anyone ever try it?

[aanderud]

I think if I was targeting channel cats in a lake, I'd use cutbait or stink bait rather than live bait. That's not to say they won't ever bite live sunfish...but I think you'd have better chance if you cut that sunfish in half. Put it down close to the bottom -- say a foot off. Use about a 5/0 circle hook, and do a slow sweep hookset (or let the fish hook themselves...but that's not as fun). Or, use a 5/0 octopus hook and giv-r the onion a couple seconds after the bobber's down.

[JBMasterAngler]

I guess it's actually a flowage, I don't know if that makes any difference? Just out of curiosity, how come sunnies are such good cat baits?

[DTro]

The best cat baits is usually what is abundant in the body of water you are fishing and time of year.

I wouldn't say its any better or any worse than some other baits such as Shad, Sucker, Creek Chubs, or Goldeye when it comes to cut bait.

As far a live bait (where its legal) guys choose sunfish because they are easy to get, hardy in a bait container, and stay lively on a hook, not necessarily because it is the best bait. I'm sure if you could keep a big Shad or Goldeye alive long enough, it would be the best live bait option by far.

Do what Aanderud said, cut it in half, use the head portion, and toss it under a bobber about a foot off the bottom. If there are any cats around they will find it.

[JBMasterAngler]

Hmmm, that all makes sense. Thanks for the info. I'm new to WI fishing, so I'm more into trying it just to try it (at least this particular outing). I'll probably stick with live sunnies because this flowage supposedly has a strong population of pike and muskies as well.

[46and2]

Hmmm, that all makes sense. Thanks for the info. I'm new to WI fishing, so I'm more into trying it just to try it (at least this particular outing). I'll probably stick with live sunnies because this flowage supposedly has a strong population of pike and muskies as well.

I don't know the legality of it, but cutting a little of the tail off can help keep em swimming like crazy but not getting far.

I do that for pike when using the big "light northern" minnows.