Hey yall,

Should I change baits for the winter season?
If so, what should I get?


Im currently using dip/punch bait.

I was reeling in Channels on every trip, however these last 2 weeks I caught '0'. Im not sure if its related to the cold or not.


P.S.
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas with their family and friends.

all depends on your spieces of catfish. punch still works on channels just have to find them. if your looking for blues then yes you need to change to shad, hope that helps

if you are targeting channels in the winter time they can be caught on punch bait, i have found that it takes a little longer in the cold water for them to track the bait down, a couple of tricks that i have tried is to start of using chicken liver and once i start getting some consecutive bites then i switch back to the punch bait, another source is to use small chunks of cut perch or shad if you can find them

Okay thanks.

I'm going after channels and blues.

I haven't seen any shad for almost a month.
The same goes for bluegills and sunfish.

What about rigging?
I'm using the usual "3-way" rig.
Should I change to something else?

When I fish with punch bait(which is rare) I fish with a Carolina rig. #6 trebble and a 1/4 or 1/2 oz egg sinker on an 18" leader.

I'm a newbie, but it's been my experience that the channel's bite will get lighter in colder months. I personally fin it more productive to switch to 1 rod that I'll hold to notice the bite easier.
If your goin' for blues, you can use any extra poles rigged up with cut bait. If you can't find shad, cut carp, buffalo or tilapia works too.

Get you some large black salties and fillet them. Use a fillet on each hook and the head on another. They are a very bloody fish with a lot of scent. Been working very well for me. You can buy them at bait stores or have them shipped alive right to your door. Very convienient, and very good imho

What are or is "large black salties" ???


hey thanks

Buck

I just googled it.. danks // interesting.

No prob, forgot to mention they are a VERY hardy baitfish. And the fillets look like a half breed between a shad and a perch. Very nice. I love the XL ones. Get them shipped live a day or two before you go fishing and you won't have to worry bout finding live/fresh bait

How much you pay for them???? I don't see a price it only says to call?? Just curious!!