Softbaits for Cats

[Toad]

Fellow Catheads,

Would like to hear about your experiences using softbaits (Berkley Powerbait, Gulp, Foodsource, or others) for cats-- primarily channel cats. One of the stories I'm doing for the Catfish Guide this year focuses on this topic, and I remember from years back, that this HSOforum had some pretty hardcore cat guys around. So if you've got some info to share along these lines, please feel free.

For my part, I've had some pretty fair success the past few years on both jighead / Berkley Gulp grub combos, and Gulp Saltwater Peeler Crabs fished below a slip float. The Gulp Cutbait strips haven't worked at all, on the other hand. Haven't yet tried the Foodsource baits, but they're supposed to be edible for humans . . . don't know . . . that sort of sounds like a good marketing strategy for catmen .

Thanks for your input, guys.

-a friend called Toad

[Shack]

I would say, talk with Dark30. He got a 40lbs plus cat on a white plastic grub this spring.

As for my self, the only plastic I have seen work for me is the plastic ribbed stink bait rig. I can catch smaller channels all day long now useing store bought dip stink bait, now water is low and slow.

I am sure others in this forum have plenty to say about plastic's.

Good luck.

P.S

I am leaveing with in minute to head down fishing, I will try platics for a little bit and report back.

[EBass]

2 years ago I was really into GULP and those curly tail grubs were my staple. I fish for bass, but on pool 2 I caught some kitties pushing 8lbs. One channel and one flathead I can remember as they were in the same spot, but days apart.

I don't use gulp much anymore, but I did buy a new pack last week as my other ones dried up. So I'll be tossing them around again. I just hate how they dry up so fast in the summer heat.

[Catfishunter]

I have been fish plastics in small and med. size rivers for a couple years now primarely for smallmouth, but then found that i was hooking a lot of channels durring the day. Most of the cats i hook on plastic have been of the larger size and hit like a ton of bricks, no mouthing the bait just a hart pounding strike. The main lures i use are woolly bug by YUM, super hog by zoom, sweet beavers by reaction inovations, and flukes also by zoom. All the plastics go on a light mushroom head jig. This is all bass stuff and i have not tryed to modify it for only cats. The cats mostly hit in the bottoms of the hole but in a small river it might only be four foot. The avg. size cat is between 4 and 9 pounds, not to bad for far northeast mn. Have had my best luck with this during the day and real cut bait or frogs after dark. Would love to hear of some big flatts on big swim baits if anyone has played around with them let me know.

[DARK30]

I love it when a catfish takes an artificial bait! Crankbaits have produced more catfish for me but plastics have got me into the biggest ones. Both rannel rats and mudeyes (given good visibility) will put the sense of smell aside and chase down a lure....I just wouldn't call it real consistent.

Of the two fish, I think channels offer a better chance of a drag test when fishing for walleyes or small mouth with lighter tackle. I have caught a fair number flatheads on plastics but the water needs to be relatively clear and the fish needs to be in the mood.

I like fishing out of waders in a small river that has good footing either along the shore or out in the current depending on flow. Standing out in the water casting sure adds to the experience when you get smacked.

Toad If you want, I can give you directions to good place to play but its always hit or miss.

[hanson]

Guess I don't really have an opinion, or much experience, with the commercially available prepared baits.

I do know channels in these parts love to eat fresh cutbait, and have had a hard time trying anything else. For awhile last year, I gave stink bait a shot for channels. That would have been the Sonny's Super Sticky original formula that is wildly popular with the guys down south. Success was varied and the cats I did catch tended to be of the smaller variety. This is about the time of year (high water temps) where the stink bait should start working well and will probably play with it again. I would guess that the commercial baits are probably similar, where they work better in higher water temps.