depending on what you like to catch, but I tear the catfish up at Lake Woodlands along the bulkhead with beef liver using a small split shot, small cork, and tough as nails circle hook. When I was fishing it often, we would catch our limited quick and its fast action. We use a boat (only electric) and cast toward the bulkhead, if the cats are there, then the fight is on. We cast while on the move and only stop when the cork disappears. We like the bait to be right off the bottom. A loud approach tends to bring them to the bait quicker. good luck