Another couple of tips--- use braided line ( I use 15 lb Stren 832) to feel the bite better. (no stretch)
Also use a rod with at least a fast action tip. Extra fast might be even better.
If you are fishing straight down over the side, try holding the line between the tips of your fingers. You should feel everything. I
The little kittys will still steal a lot of bait, but you will feel them. Set the hook with a good snap, you want to either hook em or miss em clean. Either way, the bait will be gone.

Another couple of tips--- use braided line ( I use 15 lb Stren 832) to feel the bite better. (no stretch)
Also use a rod with at least a fast action tip. Extra fast might be even better.
If you are fishing straight down over the side, try holding the line between the tips of your fingers. You should feel everything. I
The little kittys will still steal a lot of bait, but you will feel them. Set the hook with a good snap, you want to either hook em or miss em clean. Either way, the bait will be gone.

I have noticed that many times a decent sized cat or two is caught right away. Then with the boss hogs gone, the little kittys move in to feed. If they persist and all you are getting is small cats and lost bait most of the time, about all you can do is move to another spot.
I try to have several spots baited, (range cubes and or chum) an be prepared to hit them all.
You are looking for the place that has the bigger cats hanging around. As long as you are on them, stay with it. Sometimes, it is tough at all of them, that's fishing.
I use Stubbys Cheese Bait exclusively.

here's how i do it; make a pancake in my palm bout the size of a 50cent piece



put the #4 treble hook in the center, fold it up around the hook, making a Hershey's STUBBY'S kiss



i use a slip cork in the shallows of my dock after pitchin out some range cubes; pertnere guaranteed ketchin'