03-23-2008, 09:43 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Having fished all over the country and having caught every species of catfish to be caught, I have some opinions...natcherly. First of all, let's deal with the popular opinions held by many anglers:[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]1. Catfish feed only at night. [b][#0000ff]Some catfish, in some areas, under some circumstances do feed more at night. However, in most waters in most states you can catch just as many during daytime hours.[/#0000ff][/#0000ff][/b]
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[#0000ff]2. Catfish only eat stinky stuff. Some catfish, in some waters do seem to have wierd food preferences and can be caught on just about anything at one time or another. And, cats that live in waters with murky water and muddy bottoms are pretty much forced to forage along the bottom...and they find their food by smell. Stands to reason that strongly-scented baits will work well under those conditions.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have always been amazed at some of the far out recipes that have been developed for catfish around the country. Some of them actually work...some of the time. Some work better in some waters, on some species, than others. It is often a localized thing. And, often the old goobers who promote their favorite recipes are more wierd and smell worse than the baits they are touting.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have caught SOME cats on prepared baits...both dough baits and "dips". But, I can truthfully say that whenever I have conducted side by side unbiased comparison tests, I usually catch more fish on natural baits...like worms, minnows or cut bait. In many waters...especially in the west...I have been blanked while soaking commercial baits, but quckly started getting bit when I changed to "natural" baits. This is especially true in cleaner waters where the cats tend to become more natural feeders.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Not all prepared baits are STINK BAITS. Some of them are fairly mild smelling cheese concoctions or are made of real fish parts. Many incorporate other well know natural attractants, like garlic or anixe (licorice). These almost qualify as natural baits. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The HAZMAT baits may include foul smelling cheeses, "fermented" fish parts or "well aged" animal or chicken blood. While some catmen swear by them, most people are more likely to swear at them if they get downwind from someone using them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I long ago lost count of all the CAN'T MISS "superbaits" people have divulged...under penalty of death for revealing them. There is not a single kind of cheese, meat, vegetable or fruit that has not caught cats for someone somewhere. Similarly, there is probably no scent, essence, flavoring or attractant that will not appeal to at least the occasional kitty.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It ain't no secret folks. Catfish are not gourmet diners. Animal, vegetable and even mineral...it is all good to go.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]But, I still maintain that month in and month out...year in and year out...you will catch more cats in more places using "natural" baits.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]That stuff they promote on TV? Never see it for free, do you? Wonder why that is...and wonder why they gotta put together shows on how great it is. Heck fire, the old fisherman's telegraph is the best way to get the word out on something that REALLY works. And, if somebody does come up with a good idea, the word spreads fast.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]We have had this discussion on Utah BFT before. And, the general consensus is that it is mostly just another product to catch fishermen. Sure, it will work. But will it work well enough, and better, enough times to justify pawning your wife and kids to buy a year's supply?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Fun to watch those programs though. Especially the ones with Bill Dunce. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]1. Catfish feed only at night. [b][#0000ff]Some catfish, in some areas, under some circumstances do feed more at night. However, in most waters in most states you can catch just as many during daytime hours.[/#0000ff][/#0000ff][/b]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]2. Catfish only eat stinky stuff. Some catfish, in some waters do seem to have wierd food preferences and can be caught on just about anything at one time or another. And, cats that live in waters with murky water and muddy bottoms are pretty much forced to forage along the bottom...and they find their food by smell. Stands to reason that strongly-scented baits will work well under those conditions.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have always been amazed at some of the far out recipes that have been developed for catfish around the country. Some of them actually work...some of the time. Some work better in some waters, on some species, than others. It is often a localized thing. And, often the old goobers who promote their favorite recipes are more wierd and smell worse than the baits they are touting.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have caught SOME cats on prepared baits...both dough baits and "dips". But, I can truthfully say that whenever I have conducted side by side unbiased comparison tests, I usually catch more fish on natural baits...like worms, minnows or cut bait. In many waters...especially in the west...I have been blanked while soaking commercial baits, but quckly started getting bit when I changed to "natural" baits. This is especially true in cleaner waters where the cats tend to become more natural feeders.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Not all prepared baits are STINK BAITS. Some of them are fairly mild smelling cheese concoctions or are made of real fish parts. Many incorporate other well know natural attractants, like garlic or anixe (licorice). These almost qualify as natural baits. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The HAZMAT baits may include foul smelling cheeses, "fermented" fish parts or "well aged" animal or chicken blood. While some catmen swear by them, most people are more likely to swear at them if they get downwind from someone using them.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I long ago lost count of all the CAN'T MISS "superbaits" people have divulged...under penalty of death for revealing them. There is not a single kind of cheese, meat, vegetable or fruit that has not caught cats for someone somewhere. Similarly, there is probably no scent, essence, flavoring or attractant that will not appeal to at least the occasional kitty.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]It ain't no secret folks. Catfish are not gourmet diners. Animal, vegetable and even mineral...it is all good to go.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]But, I still maintain that month in and month out...year in and year out...you will catch more cats in more places using "natural" baits.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]That stuff they promote on TV? Never see it for free, do you? Wonder why that is...and wonder why they gotta put together shows on how great it is. Heck fire, the old fisherman's telegraph is the best way to get the word out on something that REALLY works. And, if somebody does come up with a good idea, the word spreads fast.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]We have had this discussion on Utah BFT before. And, the general consensus is that it is mostly just another product to catch fishermen. Sure, it will work. But will it work well enough, and better, enough times to justify pawning your wife and kids to buy a year's supply?[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Fun to watch those programs though. Especially the ones with Bill Dunce. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
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