Do you want to know how to bait a catfish hole?
Baiting is quite popular among folks who are particularly interested in catching some catfish. It may seem rather tricky but this isn’t the case.
In fact, baiting can be done in very simple steps. From cheap to mid-priced baits, you can find a selection that works for your needs.
So, let’s go ahead and find out the easy ways on how to catch more catfish by baiting. These are all the things you need to know to get started!
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How to Bait A Catfish Hole
Baiting involves the use of a loose bait, which will then entice catfish. From there, you can then expect a good catch – bigger and more catfish than you think!
These steps will teach you just how it’s done – so get ready to find yourself an abundant catch.
1. Gather up your tools.
By this, we meant get your baits ready. You can use a wide selection of bait such as grain products (soybeans, cracked corn, etc), beer or sugar (optional), water, and the most irresistible bait, which is either beef or chicken blood.
In some cases, you may simply opt to pick them up at the store. However, it is more expensive to do so, which is why making your own is a solid bet.
When thinking of the right type of grain to use, we recommend using grains with pungent scent. Catfish love sour foods, so we are talking about wheat, soybeans, and wild birdseed as great choices.
Others would like to use canned dog food or even chicken blood. It is all up to you to decide what works best for your target.
2. Prepare the bait.
If your choice of bait requires some preparation, then you should go ahead and do so.
Grain baits would require preparation, albeit quite simple. Fill up a large bucket about half-way with grain. Mix in some water until your bait is submerged by a couple of inches.
There are some folks who combine this mixture with sugar or beer to help with the fermentation process. In some cases, yeast can speed it up, too.
But if you let the wheat and water mixture sit for a few weeks in the warmer months, it should be fast. In fact, it should take a week in some instances.
For blood bait, you will want to fill a baking pan with chicken or beef blood. Then, refrigerate it for 1 week. Afterward, you can take it out in the sun to allow the blood to set and become harder. Cut it into strips and it should be good to go.
3. Pick the right spot.
Use your bait in areas that are frequented by catfish. These may include weedy areas or tree stumps.
We also recommend shallow spots but avoid currents as these will only wash away the bait. Put your bait in different spots but be sure they are not too far away.
Throughout the areas you have chosen, make sure that you scatter your bait well. You would want to entice the fish but not to feed them. Bait for about half an hour before you cast your initial bait.
In case you go to the spot quite often, you can bait a couple of times a week on a regular basis to encourage the fish to come back.
4. Bait the hole.
Experts recommend using cottonseed cakes for baiting a hole or chumming. However, these are not widely available, which is why you can also opt for range cubes. This is a smaller kind of cottonseed cake that works just as well.
These range cubes are great for feeding cattle, so you should be able to find them at animal feed shops. They are also a bit cheaper than cottonseed cake at $5 per bag. This should be enough to bait up to 8 areas of your choice.
Other suitable options for baits to use for a catfish hole include grain sorghum and catfish chum, which are both pungent and sour.
Some preparation may be involved unless you are using range cubes. It is pretty much the same as using the other bait options mentioned earlier. Allow them to ferment until their are ready to use.
5. Start chumming or baiting.
First of all, these two things are different. When you chum, you simply throw out the chum a short time prior to fishing. But when you bait, you have to chum the location with your preferred bait on a regular basis until your target frequents the area.
If your goal is to fish regularly, then you should definitely bait a hole to have a steady supply of fish. But if you chum, then you obviously are just going there one time or so.
Also, keep in mind that you would need to put some kind of a landmark for the area where you chum or bait. This way,you can easily determine where to go for catfishing. Buoys or marking the area on your GPS should help.
Read More: Is Beef Liver For Catfish Bait A Great Idea or Not?
Final Thoughts On How To Bait A Catfish Hole
Now that you know the tools you need and steps to take on how to bait a catfish hole, you are all set!
So, grab your baits, figure out the best places to scatter them, and begin baiting that catfish hole.
When you do these steps the right way, you are well on your way to an abundant catch that is worth the time, energy and money you spend. Happy baiting, folks!
