Even if you pick the perfect time, you still need bait that smells like dinner to a fish with no taste buds but a killer nose. Catfish rely on smell, so stinky is good.
In the spring and summer—prime time—use cut bait (chunks of shad or herring) or live bait like minnows and worms. In the fall, when they’re bulking up for winter, switch to shad or even chicken liver soaked in garlic. Yes, your hands will smell like a vampire’s nightmare. Worth it.
I once used a piece of shrimp that had been sitting in my cooler for three days. My buddy gagged. The catfish? They came running like I was ringing a dinner bell. Stinkier is better. Write that down.
The Best Time To Catch Catfish: Seasonal Guide – JSEFUE
