newbie Cat fishing cut bait?

[Hooliganz]

Do you guys usually catch your own bait? could probably dig up some crawlers or where can you buy cut bait? bullies, smelt etc.. was looking at doing some cat fishing soon, i have a old 6'6 muskie rod with a decent abu garcia baitcaster on it. This would work wouldnt it? line recomendation would be helpful too

Thanks for info.

[harvey lee]

I catch all my bullheads and cut bait. If you cant catch any, you could purchase some suckers and cut those. I think you may also find dome bullheads at Moore's bait in the cities.

I use cat rods along with Abu reels with baitcasters. I also use circle hooks for the bullheads and watch the tip of the rod or set my clicker and watch and listen. With the muskie rod, you may need to wait until the tip loads up to see if you have a bite depending on how stiff the tip of your rod is. You can set the clicker on your abu and wait if the tip is too stiff. When the line starts to peel out or the tip loads, then its time to go for it.

I use all 65-80# PPro, but you could get by with less.

Typically, I will use a 3-5 oz no roll sinker depending on the current along with either a circle hook or a octopus hook.

For the flatheads, I use a 8/0-10/0 circle and for the channels I will use a 4/0-5/0 octopus hook.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Quote:

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For the flatheads, I use a 8/0-10/0 circle and for the channels I will use a 4/0-5/0 octopus hook.

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I do the opposite, 10/0 octopus for flatheads and 4/0-6/0 circles for channels.

[hanson]

Quote:

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I do the opposite, 10/0 octopus for flatheads and 4/0-6/0 circles for channels.

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Me too!

Flatheads, big live baits, and circle hooks don't mix very well IMO.

[Shack]

I have found it seems to be much cheaper to buy frozen "dead" suckers and cut them in 3 to 4 parts. Plus frozen suckers (for me) seem easier to cut and handle. They dethaw in water with in minutes. My brother-in law would argue with me, but I put large chunk of center body on first and hook head part threw lip area into scull. I have found by putting head or tail part on last keeps bait on hook longer and harder for fish to get off. Also I think having head on gives out a great sent trail and fish like to see the eyes of somthing they are going to eat. Just my $0.02...

[harvey lee]

I made a typo. Sorry guys. I was typing faster than what I was thinking. Da

[riverbasher]

I will usually bring some crawlers with me and catch some suckers to use as cut bait. Otherwise if I'm on a time crunch, I go to my local baitshop and get a pound or two of frozen dead suckers

[Flaco651]

Hooliganz- Shad has been the best cutbait for me so far this season. You can get your own in the MN river or the Mississippi or save some time and get it at Moore's Bait in MPLS.