This is my story and my opinion, for what it is worth.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the misfortune in the wind of getting my boat filled with water. The coolers and life jackets floated out of the boat and to shore. It was a chore to get it afloat again, but we did.

At the time it all took place, we had 53 catfish in the boat.
I had a half of a gallon of CJ's Shad punch bait open on the floor that we had been fishing out of. When the boat filled with water, the lid floated away, and the bucket set tight on the floor filled with water. Once the boat was bilged dry, I took the CJ's and poured the water from the bucket.

I asked the customers if they wanted to quit or keep fishing. They chose to fish a little more. We used the bait that the water had been poured from and caught another 22 fish to fill the three man limit. I showed the customers that the bait texture was great and that it stayed on the hook great and that it was still catching fish. No cattails or anything had to be added to make the bait texture any better.

Based on the number of fish I catch on the bait, I do not understand when people say "it does not stay on the hook good" or "it is too dry". I know each person fishes a little different.

I use mine straight from the bucket, the sun and rebaiting will make it a little juicy, but it has never gotten so juicy that I had to add anything to the bucket. I use a #6 or #4 treble hook with a 10 inch leader, beneath a 3/8 ounce egg sinker. And I cast as far as I can at times with very little lost bait. However, remember, I go thru a bucket or more each week. I think the texture that CJ is currently using on his bait is outstanding.

I agree. I do not know how people are having trouble with this bait. It stays on the hook for me as well.

Honestly, Obiewan put me on Sure Shot. A great bait. But, I hate to baby a bait. I bought some CJ's Shad and fished with it. Then I asked Obiewan a question about it. I already caught cats on it, and some real nice ones! Obiewan gave me some good advice and I bought a bunch of it! I don't have no problems with it sticking to the hook. I don't have that hot weather melt. I got a good punch bait in my boat. I'm very hard of my fishing bait, and like Obiewan, I go through it fast.

Obie,

I certainly acknowledge your expertise - you are Da Man! However, I have used Sure Shot and CJ's Monster Bait and I found that CJ's is so dry it doesn't cling to the treble hook. I poke it onto the hook after I pull it up from the bucket to try and get it to cling better. But it usually flies off the hook when I cast - even a short toss. I have "juiced it up" with some "liquid" from my milo chum bucket and that seems to help.

Just my experience.

FeatherJig, I wish I could show you how I bait. Maybe I will make a video. However, I punch the hook down into the bait, holding the line in my left hand and the punch in my right hand. As I pull the bait out of the bucket I lay the punch against the hook, therefore packing it on the hook a bit and removing loose bait.

If you try to hold the rod in one hand and set the hook in the bucket, then punch the hook into the bucket, then set the punch down and pull the hook out (with the rod still in the other hand), then you are going to get loose bait and you are going to cast some off ( as well onto peoople in the boat) when you cast.

I agree, Cj's is all I use and its been good lately IMO. Sometimes I add a little more cheese in there but not if its summer time.

Weldon,

Thanks for your reply. Really appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge! I do something similar, but do not hold the punch stick against it when I pull out. I'll give it a try.

Thanks again!

Whoa...back up...your boat filled up with enough water that the life vest flaoted to shore.....what where you all doing standiung in the boat with water up to your waist?
Im curious...I liked to lost my boat at the dock last memorial day(last year).Glad yal got the uppr hand on it,good bait story too!

what is yalls favorite CJ's bait

I've been a SureShot guy for about a year now, since I was introduced to it by another TFF guy at the recommendation of several people. I ran low on SureShot, so in a moment of need, I bought a small tub of CJ's Shad...well, needless to say, I keep BOTH around now, and I bait hooks with either one. Both are great products, so it's good to have an arsenal of stinky stuff.

I like the Shad mix.

Got turned on to C.J.'s from Obiewon's reports. Along with creating resistance and loading the hook by 'laying the punch against the hook', I mold it a bit more by gently pressing the bait against the side of the container.

Maybe I will make a video.

Please do!!! If you can find the time.

I'm a big fan of CJ's and sureshot. Only one store around here carries sureshot. Does academy still carry CJ's? I went last thursday and there was NONE on the shelves. I'm hoping it's just because they were temporarily out of stock.

They still sell it at Academy. They just restocked the one by my house.

I like the C.J.s but the only problem I have is the catfish don't hit it as hard as cut bait so you have to pay a little more attention. They hit it light.