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What kind of bait is the best to use to catch catfish using a rod and reels and also using bush hooks on the Escambia river

BILLBYRD1 Loc: Prattville Al

Welcome West L.A. from Alabama Bill originally from East L.A. now Central.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

What is a "bush hook" ? Is that a hook configuration, or are you referring to setting a "trot line"?

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Welcome to the Forum, 8--33, There a lot of cat fishermen on here. Your answer will appear soon.

straighthook

he’s trying to catch catfish,not trot

BILLBYRD1 Loc: Prattville Al

Send me your email and I will forward something that might help but then again it might be to basic.

EasternOZ Loc: Kansas City Metro

Welcome to the forum.

I like fesh chicken livers.

Perch.

Cut baits shad , perch, asian carp work well I have been told.

I have never tried them myself.

JRK227 Loc: Cedarburg, WI

I fish for channel cats in Wisconsin and do well using nightcrawlers, shrimp and chicken breast as bait. I usually start drift fishing with all three baits out on separate rods. This allows me to decide which bait they prefer on any given day. Once I catch 2 cats on a specific bait, that's my go to bait for the day. When all else fails, I will use cut bait.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

Straight hook....a "trot line" IS for catching catfish. Did you think there's a fish called "trot"? TROUT are never fished for in that manner, nor does the name "trot line" mean the fish you're after. Rather , it's a term for tying a line to a tree or bush, throwing a baited hook in....and waiting, usually the next day. Then you "trot" from one to the next, checking your lines. This explanation was from my Uncles, who were cowboys that were checking fencing, calves, etc., didn't have time to sit and fish, yet wanted some catfish for dinner.

dec341

First, cut bait is best because that's their normal diet. But just as importantly, rather than using a single large hook, use a smaller treble hook and put separate bait in all 3 hooks. That way if one bait is bitten off you've got 2 left to keep her on the scene. Been doing it this way for one half of 150 years.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Now let's see, let me do the math. Jez, your an old dog. (LOL)

EasternOZ Loc: Kansas City Metro

Nope like a lot of others just 50/50

EasternOZ Loc: Kansas City Metro

Some are in their prime.

BullG8r Loc: Navarre, FL. (Panhandle of FL)

First things first, I assume you are speaking of the Escambia River in Northwest Florida. I also assume (yes, I know all about making assumptions) you are speaking of a "southern" trot line. I will attempt to explain what that is to my fellow fishermen that obviously do not know. A trot line is a strong line or twine that varies in LEGAL length and LEGAL number of hooks. The trot line is composed of "drop" lines attached by a swivel to the main line. These drop lines are spaced approximately 3 feet apart for the entire length of the line. At the end of the line and wherever required down the length of the trot line are secured anchors (often cement blocks, etc) to ensure the trot lines remain on or near the bottom.

The trot line is tied to a tree, post, etc on the bank of the water being fished. As the trot line is being deployed (usually from a boat) the fisherman baits each individual hook as it slides over the boat rail into the water. Eventually all of the hooks have been baited and deployed and the last anchor is eased into the water.

After suitable time has gone by (usually about an hour) the fisherman goes out in his boat and "pulls" the trot line up and removes any caught fish, rebaits the hooks, and lowers the trot line back into the water. This process is repeated until you have enough fish or are too tired to continue.
CAUTION: The fisherman/men may be seriously hurt handling frontlines, hooks, etc., especially if the current or tide causes the boat to "move around" during deployment. Be sure to check for laws governing frontline length, sizes, numbers of hooks, baits, etc.

Finally, a bush hook is a rather primitive way to catch fish. The fisherman ties his line with applicable sinker, hook, and bait to an overhanging tree/bush limb. When a fish takes the bait the limb gives and takes the fish pulling and serves as the rod. The fisherman merely runs his "trap line" and removes fish and rebaits as necessary. CAUTION: This method of fishing may require special permits, stamps, licenses in order to be LEGAL. Also, in the South bushes and tree limbs may contain moccasins or other critters that can ruin your day, not to mention your underwear. I have heard and read stories about snakes falling into a boat which resulted in holes being shot into the boat. The fisherman needto remain very cautious when handling snapping turtles, etc from both trot lines and bush hooks.

I wish you great luck in your adventures. Hope this helps.

MadMac Loc: Marion (in Grant County) Indiana

Bull, you on the ball. Just like we did it down home in Morristown, TN. We run trot lines here in Indiana too but these idjits call them trout lines. Trout lines? Pitiful. The fishing regulations call them trot lines but do you think that's good enough for some people? Oh no! Not in a pigs eye it ain't!