Best Catfish Bait In The World: Best Time To Use Them

When it comes to catfishing, having the right bait can make all the difference. If you’re looking for the best catfish bait in the world, look no further.

I’ve selected the best bait for catfish that are unmatched.

In Short: The Best Catfish Bait in the World are Nightcrawler, Gizzard Shad, White Suckers, Stinkbait, Asian Carp, Bluegills, Punchbait & Chicken Livers.

List Of 14 Best Catfish Baits: Personally Used To Catch Fish

In the below table, we have mentioned the 14 best catfish baits that I’ve personally used to catch catfish.

Catfish Bait	Description	Best Time to Use
Nightcrawler	Active bait that moves in water	Night
Gizzard Shad	Freshwater baitfish, oily flesh	Evening
White Suckers	Natural prey for catfish, found in rivers	Dawn and Dusk
Skipjack Herring	Oily fish, a strong scent	Night
Stinkbait	Strong-smelling, specifically for catfish	Evening
Asian Carp	Large &and oily	Night
Bluegills	Panfish with vibrant colors	Evening
Punch Bait	Sticky bait that stays on the hook well	Night
Chicken Livers	Highly aromatic, easily available	Evening
Shrimp	Strong scent, versatile	Night
Cow’s Blood	Highly attractive to catfish	Dawn and Dusk
Green Apple Bubble Gum	Unusual bait, sweet scent	Anytime
Garlic & Chicken Skin	Homemade bait, strong scent	Night
Crawfish (Dead or Alive)	Natural food for catfish	Evening

1. Nightcrawler

Nightcrawlers are the best catfish bait because they can attract catfish due to their natural scent & movement in the water.

• Natural Scent: Nightcrawlers smell good to catfish, so they come close to eating them.

• Movement in Water: Nightcrawlers move around in the water to look like real food, which can attract catfish.

• Versatility: Nightcrawlers are worms that you can buy at a store & use for fishing. They are a good option for catching catfish because they are easy to find & work well.

2. Gizzard Shad

The Gizzard Shad is the best bait for catfish because it has a strong smell & feels oily. You can use this fish because it attracts catfish very well.

• Scent: The smell of Gizzard Shad is very appealing to catfish, so it is a good bait to use when fishing for them.

• Oily Texture: The oily feeling of Gizzard Shad makes a smooth path in the water that attracts catfish to the bait.

• Natural Prey: Catfish like to eat Gizzard Shad because it is a common food for them. This makes it easier for catfish to catch their prey.

3. White Suckers

Catfish like to eat white suckers because they smell strong & are oily. You can use them as bait by keeping them alive or cutting them into pieces to catch catfish easily.

• Strong Scent: White suckers have a strong smell that catfish cannot resist.

• Oily Texture: The oils in white suckers make a path in the water for catfish to follow easily.

• Live or Cut Options: You can use white suckers whole or cut into pieces for different types of fishing.

4. Skipjack Herring

Skipjack Herring is the best bait for catfish because it smells strong & has oily meat. It can attract big catfish & is easy to cut into pieces to put on hooks.

Many people have caught a lot of catfish using this bait.

• Strong Odor: Skipjack Herring releases a strong smell that attracts catfish from far away.

• Oily Flesh: Skipjack Herring has a greasy feel that leaves a scent in the water for catfish to track and follow.

• Versatile: Skipjack Herring can be used in different forms to catch various types of catfish.

5. Stinkbait

Stinkbait is a strong-smelling bait that is good catfish bait. It is made from ingredients like fermented blood and fish oils that attract fish.

• Strong Odor: Catfish cannot resist the strong smell of stink bait, which makes them want to eat it.

• Long-Lasting: Stink bait slowly spreads its smell, so that catfish can smell it and be attracted to it from far away.

• Versatile: Stinkbait works in many types of fishing spots like lakes, rivers & ponds. It’s great for catfish fishing no matter if you’re a beginner or experienced.

6. Asian Carp

Asian carp are fish from Asia that are dangerous for the environment & other fish. They are big and eat a lot, which makes them good catfish bait.

• High Protein Source: Asian carp have a lot of protein in them, so catfish like to eat them because it makes them want to eat more.

• Strong Smell: The strong smell of Asian carp can attract catfish from far away, making it easier to catch them.

• Durable Texture: Asian carp have strong skin & meat that catfish want to eat for a long time which makes them a good bait option.

7. Bluegills

Bluegills are the best bait for catfish because they smell & taste good to the catfish. They are easy to find in lakes & rivers and be on the hook for a long time.

• Natural Scent: Bluegills have a strong smell that brings catfish closer and makes them want to bite.

• Easy to Find: Bluegills are easy to catch in many lakes & rivers, so you can use anglers as bait.

• Durable: Bluegills help catch more catfish because they stay on the hook for a longer time compared to other baits.

8. Punch Bait

Punch bait is the best bait for catfish that works well & is easy to use. It has a strong smell that attracts catfish & makes them bite.

You can easily put punch bait on hooks or dip tubes, which makes it easy for different fishing situations.

• Strong Scent: Catfish love the strong smell of punchbait and will come to eat them.

• Easy to Use: Punchbait can be easily put on hooks or dip tubes, so anyone can use it without any problems, no matter their fishing experience.

• Versatile: Punchbait can be used in many different fishing spots like rivers, lakes, and ponds. This makes it a good choice for people who like fishing for catfish.

9. Chicken Livers

Many fishermen use chicken livers to catch catfish because they smell strong and are soft, making them good catfish bait.

• Strong Scent: The strong smell of chicken livers can attract catfish from far away.

• Soft Texture: Catfish can easily eat chicken livers because they are soft, which makes it easier for them to catch prey.

• Cost-effective: Chicken livers are easy to find and cheap, so they are a good choice for catfish bait if you want to save money.

10. Shrimp

Shrimp is the best bait for catfish because it smells and tastes good to them. Catfish like the oils and flavors in shrimp.

It’s easy to find shrimp at the store or bait shop, so it’s a convenient choice for people who like to fish.

• Strong Scent: Catfish are attracted to the bait because they like the smell of shrimp.

• Natural Oils: When shrimp are in the water, they release oils that create a smell that helps catfish find them easily.

• Easy Availability: Shrimp is available in most grocery stores and bait shops for fishermen to buy easily.

11. Cow’s Blood

Many people use cow’s blood to catch catfish because it has a strong smell that fish like.

It works well in attracting big catfish. You can buy it from a butcher or slaughterhouse for a low cost.

• Strong Scent: The strong smell of cow’s blood can be sensed by catfish far away, and it attracts them to come closer.

• Natural Appeal: Catfish really like the smell of blood, so they’ll come to eat them.

• Affordable & Easily Accessible: Cow’s blood is a cheap and easy option that can be found nearby.

12. Green Apple Bubble Gum

Catfish love Green Apple Bubble Gum because it smells sweet & tangy, making it a good catfish bait.

• Strong Scent: The smell of green apple bubble gum attracts catfish from far away because they like it.

• Chewy Texture: The soft and chewy bubble gum makes it easier for catfish to bite the bait.

• Long-lasting Flavor: Green apple bubble gum smells & tastes good for a long time, which keeps catfish attracted and focused until they get hooked.

13. Garlic & Chicken Skin

Garlic & chicken skin have a strong smell which makes them the best bait for catfish. When you put them together, they make a powerful bait for catfish.

• Strong Scent: The strong smell of garlic and the delicious scent of chicken skin attract catfish from far away.

• Durable Texture: Chicken skin is strong enough to handle a catfish bite, so it’s a good bait for catching them.

• Versatile: Garlic and chicken skin are easy to get and can be used for catching catfish in different places. This makes them a good choice for catfish fishermen.

14. Crawfish (Dead or Alive)

Crawfish are good catfish bait because they smell and look like real food to them. Catfish can’t resist them, whether they are alive or not.

Their strong smell and the way they move in the water make them a popular choice for fishermen trying to catch big catfish.

• Realistic Scent: Crawfish smell like the food that catfish like, so catfish will come to eat them.

• Natural Movement: When crawfish are alive, they move like prey in the water, which attracts catfish because they like to eat similar things.

• Versatility: Crawfish can be used in different ways to catch catfish, like live bait, or as a smell to attract catfish to your hook. They are the best baits for catfish.

Read More:

Can You Catch Catfish with Catfish?

Can Catfish Eat Garri?

Why Can Catfish Survive Without Water?

Can Catfish Live in the Ocean?

Are Blue Catfish Bad for a Pond?

Conclusion

In short, the best catfish bait depends on what you like and the kind of catfish you want to catch.

Live baits like shad, worms & minnows are good choices because they smell & move naturally. Stink baits like chicken liver & cut bait also work well because they have a strong smell.

It’s best to fish at dawn or dusk when catfish are most active. Trying out different baits and fishing times can help you catch more catfish.

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