Iced down cut shad now thats hard to beat. I had some experiance up in Iowa where I am from and we use to tear em up ice fishing with wax worms. I don't suppose that would do much down here.

You know last time I was on the Lake Lewisville fishing barge (this summer) the only catfish caught were on wax worms. ALL types of bait were presented. Granted, small fish, but says something.

Fresh shad, if you can't catch shad, try any legal cut bait. NOT GAME FISH!!!

Over the years I've used everything: cut bait, liver-both cow and chicken, cheese, hotdogs, white bread soaked into doughballs, a special doughball mix(my deceased Dad's recipe), punch bait, nightcrawlers, on one ocassion-a homemade yellow lure-(was trying for bass), crawdad, some dire smelling creations, minnows fished deep and some other things I cannot remember off-hand. I know and have fished with folks all over the country who swear by their 'secret' and that their choice is best. I'm of the opinion that CAT will bite on what they bite and we just have to figure out what works at the time. I am currently using punch bait, minnows and nightcrawlers in this part of the country.