I ususall fish for crappie or hybrids. I have some friends that want to cat fish. What is the best bait to use? Where do they normally hang out?

When I go fishing for channel catfish I use a size 6 or size 8 treble hook with prepared bait. It seems the trend right now is that everyone's catching them on Stubby's bait. I would stick with a fiber/punch bait. It's much easier to keep it on the hook and you can use a bare treble hook (no need for a tube or something furry to keep the bait on). I usually use a paint stick to get it on a treble hook. I have also had luck catching catfish using chicken liver and hot dogs.

Using fresh shad, sunfish, carp or buffalo on a 5/0 to 8/0 circle hook seems to work for blue catfish. Abu Garcia 6500C3 with 20lb test and 2-4oz lead on a Carolina Rig seems to work well for me on a M/H rod. Use frozen bait as a last resort.

I hear flathead catfish like fresh live bait like a shad or sunfish.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Check any area that has a lot of stumps or any new water coming into the lake after a heavy rain. Bait up a few areas w/ range cubes and if you do not get bit within a few minutes, move to the next spot. Catfish will eat pretty much any punch/fiber/cheese/stink bait out there. The reason most of the people are using Stubby's bait is that it does not get all over your boat and stink up the place. It smells like cheese and doesn't make a mess. It is all I have used since I tried it for the first time. My wife and 4 year old son bait their own hooks with it. Stubby's bait is heavy enough that you can fish it weightless on just a #4 treble hook. If you use fiber/punch bait, you will want to fish it under a slip cork or using a carolina rig. Fresh shad or live bait is a good option for blues and flatheads. If you are new to this, you will want to prolly stick w/ channel cats at first for more action. Good luck and post your results after you go fishing.

+1 You might also consider going out with a good guide on your lake of choice. It can cut allot of time off your learning curve. What lake are you fishing?

Chicken hearts on a circle hook.

pm me ....got you a spot in mind

What lake are you going to be fishing?