One of the best species out there that can bring an incredible fight, and even a tasty meal, is the catfish. Although often overlooked by the bass fishing space and others, catfishing can be super fun and create lifelong memories.

We will be breaking down the best baits for catfish. So, whether you are a new angler, or just want to learn more about catfish presentations, this is for you.

Knowing what the best options are will put you in a spot for success. Here are the best baits for catfish!

Nightcrawlers

When it comes to catfish bait, it doesn’t get any more traditional than worms and nightcrawlers. These baits can be super effective in many circumstances.

The first reason why nightcrawlers are a great option for catfishing is that they are easily accessible. Nightcrawlers can be bought at any bait shop and can also often be found at many gas stations that are near fishing locations.

You can even dig them up in the backyard if you want.

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So, having affordable and easy access to worms and nightcrawlers is a big reason to use them.

The other reason is that they work, plain and simple.

Nightcrawlers are awesome baits because catfish love munching on them. The scent and action of a nightcrawler is unmatched in the catfishing world.

Chicken Liver

One really unique catfish bait is chicken liver.

Chicken livers have a very strong scent that does a great job of enticing bites from big catfish. These can be bought in bait shops and grocery stores, so you shouldn’t struggle too much to find them.

Amongst a sect of catfish anglers, this is the only bait they will use. This is a strategy that anglers fall in love with when they can find some success with it.

The key is keeping the livers cold and fresh for as long as possible. This is easy with a cooler, and as long as you replace the chunks often, you’ll be set up for success.

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Stink Bait

Catfish find food with their sense of smell. So, when you use something like stink bait, there is a good chance that you can get hooked up with a trophy. Stink bait is usually man-made and can be bought in a bait shop or made yourself.

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The key attribute to stink bait is the smell, as the name implies. It is infused with natural scents that will grab a catfish’s attention. Although it is not an enjoyable smell to humans, it does a really good job in the water.

Stink bait is pretty affordable and reliable. And, because you can just go pick some up at the store, the convenience is there. If you want to get creative and save money in the long run, you can learn to make your own at home.

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Bluegill

Although live bait is not a preferable catfishing method in many cases as it is with bass, bluegill can and do get eaten by catfish. Especially with blue cats and large channel cats, they will eat bluegill, as long as it is affixed the correct way.

In some areas, hanging trotlines is legal and very popular. Trotlines are fixtures of rope or line that have hooks and bait on them. So, it is a way to passively fish.

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Where it is legal, bluegill are fantastic bait options as they will still be alive and can be a good snack for a hungry catfish.

If you cannot use trotlines, bluegill can still be a good option. The key is to either hook them through the mouth or right behind the back fin to let them move around in a natural way. This keeps the presentation as real as it gets.

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Shad

Shad and minnows are two baits that can bring some huge bites. Whether they be alive or frozen, shad can be an especially interesting bait. Especially with big catfish in big water bodies, shad can be a majority of that fish’s diet. The key to using shad is targeting an area where they are found naturally.

If you can find an area where shad are naturally swimming around, this is an obvious choice for bait. If you want a more lively approach, you may be able to buy live shad. But, if buying live shad is not an option, you can buy packaged or frozen shad at bait shops.

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Tips for catfishing

1. Take your bait selection seriously

All of the above bait options can yield some great results on the water. So, you should really take your selection seriously. This means “matching the hatch” and doing research about specific waterways. (by “matching the hatch”. we mean using baits that resemble what the fish in the area are already naturally feeding on), When you can zero in on baits that are native to the fish’s body of water and time of year, the bites will increase.

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2. Bring more than enough bait

A popular way to catch catfish is sitting out all night and trying your luck. If you are going to play the waiting game and fish for longer periods of time, you should bring extra bait. The more bait the better. The thing you want is to get into a mess of fish and not have enough bait to keep catching them! Better to bring too much than too little.

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3. Patience is a virtue

Unlike other freshwater fishing, casting and being active with the approach is not always the best way to fish for catfish. Try casting your rig and waiting for a bite to happen rather than constantly moving around and recasting. The more patient you can be, the better. This increases the chances of you catching a monster.

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Closing Thoughts On Best Baits For Catfish

Fishing for catfish can be a great way to feel the power of a big cat. And, although some anglers look down on catfish, they are tons of fun to catch, put up a great fight and can taste really good.

So, give these bait options a shot. Each one excels in certain situations, so toying and experimenting with your presentation is part of the fun. Good luck, and happy catfishing!

In the United States especially, but abroad as well, largemouth and smallmouth are the two most popular bass subspecies.

If you are a bass angler, it is super important to know the differences between these two fish in order to increase your chances of hooking up with a monster.

We will be laying out everything you need to know about smallmouth and largemouth so you can differentiate between the two. We’ll cover physical distinctions, feeding patterns, popular habitats, and more!

Physical Distinctions between smallmouth bass and largemouth bass

Whether you’ve already caught one of these fish and are wondering how to tell which one it is,, or you’re just trying to learn the difference between the two so you can target one or the other, there are some obvious signs you should know to look for.

Largemouth Bass Attributes

• Larger mouth that has an upper jaw extending past the eyes
• The bigger largemouth will be larger than a big smallmouth
• There is a break between the dorsal fins
• Spotted horizontal line that is usually black or of a dark contrast to the green body

Smallmouth Bass Attributes

• Smaller mouth that does not open as wide
• Different colorations that focus on more browns and greens
• Even a very big smallmouth will be much smaller than big largemouth
• Vertical lines that are more subtle against the body’s coloration

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Knowing these characteristics of both fish will help you learn about the species and know exactly what you are targeting. Although these attributes might be hard to view in the water from shore or a boat, the biggest thing you can look for is that lateral line made of black horizontal patterns on largemouth. This is the most clear sign you have a largemouth near you.

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Feeding Patterns

Knowing how any fish tends to feed will put you one step closer to getting that bite of a lifetime. This way, you can cater presentations that best resemble what they eat naturally. The old saying “match the hatch” could not be more true. This means to craft presentations and lures that best match what the natural food source is.

Best Lures for Largemouth

Photo Credit: Drew Pierce

Some of the best lures for largemouth include jigs, swimbaits, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits. All of these have certain action components that may work for both largemouth and smallmouth, but lean toward the former a touch more. You can also take a more finessed approach and use soft plastics to provide a really accurate presentation.

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Best Lures for Smallmouth

Photo Credit: Drew Pierce

Smallmouth can be quite aggressive and offer a great fight, so there are a few presentations we recommend for them. Examples include tubes, craws, jerkbaits, poppers, and crankbaits. Many of these are reactionary and better represent what smallmouth eat naturally.

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There is a fair bit of crossover in baits between these two subspecies of bass, but there are specifications to make in order to yield the best results possible.

Also keep in mind the habitats in which the fish reside. If you are in super clear water, apt for more natural or blue/green colors. If the water is like chocolate milk, you will want blacks and blues to provide a good contrast. So, a big part of lure selection and reading feeding patterns revolves around your surroundings and situations.

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Habitats

Knowing where to find largemouth and smallmouth is super important no matter which one you are targeting. This way, you can specify your presentation to target a certain fish in a certain spot.

Largemouth Habitats

When it comes to largemouth, it is all about cover and structure. The more structure, the better.

Because largemouth tend not to browse out in the open water for extended periods of time, they can be found latched onto structures such as brush piles, trees, grass, and weed beds.

Targeting these areas and the areas around them is key to sniffing out those finicky bites. Use ledges and drop offs around structure to your advantage as this is where baitfish and other food sources naturally roam.

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Smallmouth Habitats

Like largemouth bass, smallmouth will also attach themselves to cover, but the way in which they do and the circumstances around it do change slightly. Rather than sitting in that thick brush, they will hunt around it and sit in eddies and areas with unique water features.

Another key to look for is running water. Smallmouth especially love current and will often sit in breaks of that current. This is because flowing water is a constant food source. So, if you can tap into that source with your lure, you are in for some great bites.

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Best Times of Day to Fish

Fishing is a sport that absolutely can take place all day long. However, the bite will probably not be hot that entire time. This all depends on the weather conditions and time of day you are fishing.

Whether it be for smallmouth, largemouth, or anything that will bite your line, it is important to have a strategy for fishing at certain ideal times.

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For both of these fish, the dusk and dawn times are when the bites really heat up. In the summer, these are cooler times, so bass will be more active. When they move around more, they are more apt to feed.

Also, read the weather and plan your fishing trip based on that information. If you know a front is moving in at night, that evening can be very active because of pressure changes. So, using the forecast to your advantage is a good idea for both smallmouth and largemouth.

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Closing Thoughts

Both of these types of bass are super fun to catch, so no matter what you target, or have access to targeting, you are in for a treat. The key to being successful with either one is knowing what you are targeting and how to maximize your hookups.

Use the tips above to differentiate between smallmouth and largemouth. When you have an educated, specified game plan, you can increase your bites and chances of catching a monster! Good luck, happy fishing, and we hope you put a hook N1!

Bass fishing is exploding in popularity, thanks in part to the internet and social media. With that popularity comes much talk and interest in which lures and strategies work well to put a hook N1 and land that big bass.

So, let’s talk about a lure and type of fishing that has been around for ages… jigging.

So, let’s cover some of the best types of jigs for bass fishing and also some of the modernization that is taking place regarding this traditional style of bass fishing.

(All images courtesy of Tackle Warehouse listings)

Casting Jigs

We kick off our list with the most common in the bass fishing world. Casting jigs keep it simple and are very versatile. The jig heads are made in a way to stand the jig up when resting on the bottom while also swimming well with a slower pace.

The best sizes range from ¼ to ½ ounce with a happy medium being ⅜ ounce. These can be used for pretty much any subspecies of bass, so the versatility is there. These can be paired with craws, grubs, or other trailers to give even better action.

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Swim Jigs

One of the most popular jig styles in the bass world right now is the swim jig. Swim jigs, as the name implies, are meant to have some pace and provide action while on the move. It is similar to using a spinnerbait or any other moving lure.

The head of the jig is designed in a way to cut through the water and provide excellent action when moving the lure. The hooks are light and sharp, and when a bass is committed, you are in for a ride. This is another type of jig that works for most types of bass, so keeping it versatile can make it happen with the swim jigs.

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Finesse Jigs

The finesse jig is one that gets a bit more specific in the approach. This one has the most unique look, but it is still not all that different. The jig head is much smaller and the weight should not be very heavy. If you are going over ¼ ounce, it will be considered a large finesse jig.

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The skirt is tied in a way to give action down by the hook and up above the jig head. So, when you are fishing slower and in holes, the subtle action will be very enticing.

Finesse jigs can be used for largemouth, but river smallmouth love to hop all over this presentation. It can be complemented with a subtle trailer that does not take too much action away from the skirt.

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Flipping Jigs

Another more specific presentation revolves around the flipping jig. Flipping structure is a great way to get huge largemouth bites. Largemouth love to cling to structure, and flipping jigs have been engineered to enter these areas and leave with a monster on the other end.

These are usually a bit heavier because the jig needs to get down in the water column and dive into the structure.

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So, spring for a ⅜-⅝ jig depending on the body of water. In places like Texas and Florida, some anglers even go up to a full ounce for a flipping jig.

The creature bait trailer is super important for flipping jigs. This is where the true action is. When you can put a craw or chunk on the end, it will be like an actual creature is falling through the structure.

So, line up your colors, and put a fair bit of effort into your trailer.

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Football Jigs

The football jig gets its name from having a jighead that resembles the shape of a football. When fishing rocky bottoms and areas with a lot of hard structure, these are great jigs. This is because they tend to hop off of those elements rather than get stuck in them.

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Another aspect of the football jig is the weed guard. A couple of the other jigs on the list have them as well, but they are generally beefier on the football jig. Because you will be in the structure, you need that extra protection. Plus, don’t be afraid to go a little heavier with the weight so you can really get into the structure.

Also make sure you add a nice trailer to the jig for that really solid action. Matching up sizes and colors is the best way to get the most use possible out of your football jig.

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Hair Jigs

Finally, there is the hair jig. This is one of the most underrated jigs on the market because it is not used often in the mainstream. A hair jig is a traditional lure that used to be all the rage. Although current technology and advances in the industry pushed the hair jig to the side, it is still an excellent presentation.

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As the name implies, this is a jig head with long strands of hair-like materials covering the hook on the back. Whites and black and blues are great colors for creating bites. More so than any of the others, smallmouth love to target hair jigs. Especially in rivers and flowing water, hair jigs can help you target those larger smallmouth bass.

Generally, keep hair jigs somewhat light. You will not want to make it too heavy, because the action will start to falter. Since hair jigs are made to be pretty big, you don’t have to overcompensate with a heavier jig head.

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Closing Thoughts

All of these jigs have differing uses due to the build and patterns on the jig itself. So, when you can specify your presentation to the environment you are in, you will be in a good position to get bites.

Whether you are fishing for smallmouth, largemouth, or any other subspecies of bass, fishing a jig in the right spots will bring some really great fishing memories.

So, use the information above to create useful presentations and start to catch those big bass! Good luck, and happy fishing.

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