Catfish are one of the most popular fish species in the US and can be found in many rivers, lakes, and reservoirs across the country. They fight hard, grow to large sizes, and are a great table fair. Channel cats, flatheads, and blue cats can be caught using a variety of different baits, however, the following is a list of the ten best catfish baits that have proven to be top cat-producing options throughout the season.

Table of Content:

1 – 5: Live Bait Options

6 – 7: Premade Baits/ Canned Baits

8 – 10: Grocery Store Options

Top 10 Best Catfish Baits

Nightcrawlers

Nightcrawlers might be the most widely available catfish bait. They can be found all across the country in just about every bait or tackle store. Whether you buy them or go dig them up yourself, nightcrawlers are a staple in the catfishing world and catch catfish of all different sizes. One benefit of using nightcrawlers is that they tend to work day in and day out in all different types of catfishing scenarios.

Gizzard Shad

Gizzard shads are oily baitfish that you can find in prepackaged bags or fresh at lots of bait shops around the country. These fish give off a ton of scent in the water and can pull fish from heavy cover. They can be fish as cut bait, or whole if you are targeting larger cats. If you are looking for another oily fish and unable to find shad, skip jack herring is a great substitute and works just as well. 

Fresh Cut Sucker

A freshly cut sucker might be the most commonly used cut bait in the catfish world. White suckers are found in just about every body of water catfish swim in and are a common food source for blues, channels, and flatheads. The scent is key when it comes to catfish and cut suckers give off a ton of scent in the water. They can be found at most bait stops. When it comes to using suckers I lean towards “the fresher the better” so I prefer to chunk them up as I need them, while keeping the others stored and alive in an aerated bait cooler. It just seems that the bigger fish in the system tends to favor the freshly cut pieces. 

Bluegills

One of the best catfish baits for big fish is bluegills. Similar to the white sucker, they are found in just about every body of water catfish are in and are a common food source. They can be used whole or as cut bait. Most anglers tend to catch their own because they are so common in so many places. Do check your state’s regulations, because bluegills are not legal to use as bait everywhere.

Bullheads

In states where it isn’t legal to use bluegills as bait, bullheads are another great option. They are a tough, hardy fish and are one of the best catfish baits, particularly for big flatheads. When hooked they rarely stop swimming, so they are always giving off a lot of vibrations in the water. They can be found in a good number of bait shops, however, most anglers tend to catch them on their own. One huge benefit to using bullheads is that they can live for weeks or longer in storage if cared for properly. Bullheads are a must if you plan on targeting big flathead catfish. 

Stink Bait

Stink bait comes in a variety of different forms from dough balls made with chicken blood, to cheese-scented chunks. No matter what kind of stink bait you buy the common denominator between them all is that they give off a strong odor and work great to attract hungry catfish. One nice benefit of using stink bait is that you can store it for an extended period of time without the worry of it going bad. It doesn’t require the maintenance live bait does. It can be found at most tackle or bait shop

Punch Bait

Man-made artificial baits popular for catfish fishing include dip baits, punch bait, and dough baits. These baits are often referred to as “stink baits,” given their strong scent that catfish find appealing due to their acute sense of smell. Despite the common label, there are notable distinctions in the formulation and application of each bait type.

Punch bait is another form of stink bait, but the method of baiting it to the hook is different. Instead of coming in a ball or perform cube, punch bait comes in a large mass. You bait it by sticking your hook into the container and then pulling it out at an angle with the punch bait in tow. Most anglers use treble hooks when using punch bait because it keeps the bait on better. You can buy punch bait in a large quantity and it’s one of the best catfish baits for smaller to mid-size catfish.

Shrimp

Shrimp is a very productive grocery store catfish bait option. It stays on the hook well and catfish love it. It can cost a little more than some of the other options, but it’s hard to argue with the results it produces. Its fishy smell is great for attracting numbers 0f hungry catfish.

Chicken Liver

Chicken livers are a great option for those looking to catch numbers of small to mid-sized catfish. They are affordable and can be found at many local grocery stores. They have a very strong scent in the water but tend to lose that scent after about an hour, so you’ll want to change baits fairly often.  The one downside to chicken livers is that they can be difficult to bait up. They have a tendency to fall off the hook so try to be gentle when casting it out.

Hotdogs

It wouldn’t be my first grocery store choice, but if you’re in a pinch and looking for some catfish bait, plain hotdogs actually work really well. They give off a good scent in the water, stay on the hook well and work great for those “eater-sized” catfish. They can be found at just about any gas station or grocery store and are a cheap option that works. 

Dip baits are typically fished using a carrier such as a dip worm, which is a short ribbed plastic worm with a hollow center. Alternatively, sponge-style holders made from materials like surgical tubing with holes cut in the sides can also be effective. These baits are often sold pre-rigged with hooks on a leader, allowing them to be easily clipped onto a snap swivel and fished with a slip sinker.

When using dip baits, it is important to consider the type of hooks being used. While many dip worms come tied with treble hooks, some companies are beginning to use circle hooks to prevent deep hooking of catfish, which can be harmful to the fish. Circle hooks are effective at hooking catfish as they tend to set themselves when the fish pulls on the baited hook.

To ensure the effectiveness of dip baits, it is recommended to push the carrier back into the jar using a stick or other object to avoid getting the bait on your fingers or clothes. It is also important to ensure that the dip worm is dry before placing it back in the jar, as moisture from rebaiting can cause the mix to become thin and runny over time. Keeping a towel nearby for this purpose can help maintain the consistency of the bait.

Dip baits are a type of stink bait that is widely used for catfish fishing, especially in the catfish belt of the Midwest and Central regions. These baits are specially formulated mixtures with distinct flavors that have been refined and tested over the course of a century by bait makers in their garage workshops. They are particularly popular during the summer months when catfish are most active and feeding vigorously. The warm water in this season helps disperse the strong scent of dip baits, attracting catfish to the baited hook. While originally perfected in local creeks and ponds, the use of dip baits has expanded significantly in the past couple of decades, with enthusiasts ranging from the Carolinas to California. Anglers who use dip baits tend to keep their formulas closely guarded to avoid imitation by competitors. These baits are effective not only in the summer but also from early spring through to winter, making them a versatile and valuable tool in the catfish angler’s arsenal.

Chicken Blood

Chicken blood is a specialized bait used by anglers in regions such as Kansas and Oklahoma for targeting channel cats in slow-moving creeks and reservoirs. This bait typically consists of congealed chicken blood, which is formed into a glob and secured around a #4 or #2 treble hook. Anglers then cast the bait into strategic locations with a small weight attached. Due to stringent food-safety regulations enforced by the FAA, obtaining chicken blood has become increasingly challenging in recent times, leading to a decline in its availability and transforming it from a common bait to more of a novelty option in the fishing community.

Here are some unconventional baits that can be used for catfish fishing:

1. Chicken Liver: While chickens are rarely found in catfish stomachs, their livers are commonly used as effective baits for channel catfish. Livers can be purchased from meat-packing companies or butchers, and some companies offer jarred livers for convenience. To prevent livers from easily breaking up in fast currents, they can be wrapped in gauze or netting before being placed on the hook.

2. Chicken Blood: In some regions like Kansas and Oklahoma, chicken blood has been traditionally used as bait for channel catfish in slow creeks and reservoirs. Due to regulations, obtaining blood has become more difficult, making it more of a novelty bait. Anglers wrap congealed chicken blood around a treble hook and cast it into likely spots.

3. Hotdogs: Hotdogs are a readily available bait option for catfish fishing. They can be cut into smaller chunks to match the hook size and used in creeks and reservoirs. While hotdogs are a popular choice, some experts prefer using more exotic mixtures that release additional flavors to attract catfish.

4. Soap: Surprisingly, even a simple piece of soap can be used as bait for catfish. As the soap dissolves in the water, it releases a scent trail that can attract catfish. This unconventional bait option can be effective in catching fish, showcasing that catfish are not picky eaters and can be enticed by a variety of baits.