Are range cubes a good chum for Channels? Do I need to
break them up? How many should I use at a time?

One article stated "Across Texas, catfish anglers chum streams by placing a fish basket or tow sack partially filled with range cubes in the lair they�re fishing. Because the cubes can stay intact for up to 3 days, anglers can move them and fish from spot to spot."

A post stated "I chum range cubes around my boat dock. Once I lowered my underwater camera down to bottom then dumped some cubes around it. They immediately attracted a lot of bream and a turtle. Did see one channel cat but he didn't sample the cubes. They all dissolved in about half hour but there was still a pile on the bottom. I was chumming to attract flatheads."

Another article stated " Range cubes can be used in a couple of ways, you can simply toss them out over the area you�ll be fishing like you would traditional chum or you can place them in a tow sack and simply drop them in the water. Cutting a slit in the bag will release the pellets into the water as they begin to break down. Another way to use the pellets is to place them in a 5 gallon bucket that has been weighted with concrete or a large rock. You�ll want to drill several holes in the bucket that are approximately 3/4 of an inch in diameter. Place the lid on the bucket and lower it into the water with a heavy rope. This technique will work in two ways, attracting the baitfish that will draw the catfish as well as drawing the catfish themselves."

You could try something like this. Place the range cubes in it. Zip it up. Tie a string to it and lower it into the water. The cubes will dissolve and fall out of the bag. I'm going to try this bag this coming Spring and Summer. Haven't decided what chum to put in it. I got my bag at Dollar Tree.

Thanks for the info

You can get the same bag but bigger at Wallyworld. It is in the travel luggage area and is a mesh laundry bag.

I have a buddy that has been with guides and he said they used range cube. I have another buddy that lives on Fork and they use corn. I have another buddy on Livingston and they have a 4" PVC pipe with 3/4" holes that is tied to their dock and put Range cubes in it.

Hope that helps.

Ok i look for the major activity level in the lake currently about 30 feet deep at Lake FORK. THEN I FIND GOOD PLACES TO TIE MY BOAT UP AT THAT DEPTH. Then I dump half a 50 pound bag of cubes in that spot. Then i come back in the days that follow to catch fish. Now when i return i do throw out a few handfuls of cubes to get the fish feeding.

Just be aware that folks are watching you and they will be parked on your hole sometime when you arrive. I bait several holes to insure that i have a baited place to catch fish and yes i buy loads of cubes. I will trade cubes for fillets any day.

I just bought a bag of range cubes, so now let’s see how well they work. I dont know, i might have just thrown away 15 dollars. I plan on baiting two or three spots so i hope the bite gets going good and fast. Going to be using some punch bait and strawberry jello chicken titties. i might even use some cherry or grape kool-aid wieners i dont catfish but i got the bug since the bass bite is a little slow.

Here kitty kitty

You don’t need a bag to chum with cubes. Just throw them out. I try to chum an area for 3 days before I fish. I then tie a cube on a line and fish with it. Even if you don’t use the cubes as bait, the cubes will attract baitfish and catfish to the area. I have documented many records fishing a range cube chummed area.



Is

Is that restaurant behind you still open?

Has anyone seen a difference in the effectiveness of range cubes from different brands? I got some purina range cubes from the local feed store and they seem to work pretty darn well but tractor supply has their brand of range cubes for a few bucks less. I am a little concerned that the cheaper cubes wont produce as well.

Just look at the protein content. You want the 20% 3/4"cubes - they sink and hold together better. Some offer 12% but they float and melt away far too fast. Guess there could be some scent and flavor difference, but they all taste pretty much the same to me!

Ken

Thanks for the info

I have used several different brands of cubes and they do have different characteristics. As mentioned earlier, you want to get at least 20% protein. I currently use the Big V brand. The diameter is smaller than Purina and I found they have a better hookup rate when I fish with them. The brand should not make a big difference if you are just using them as chum.

I will look around here locally and see if anyone carries that big V brand. Thanks for the info