Braid on everything for me..If You are targeting persnickety species, add a 20" or so Flouro carbon leader.

As far as *lures* go, A large Swim Bait will entice a large Blue Cat if it is in the mood..

As far as *bait* goes,,for Channel Cats most *anything* Chicken breast soaked in cherry, black cherry koolaid with heavy garlic, Chicken livers, marshmallows, worms, etc.

For Big Blues, cut bait, is very productive.

TIGHT LINES!

WNC

Check out REACTION BRAID..I have been fishing Their 4 strand braid for a while (65lb) and love it..Great knot strength (if you tie a good braid worthy knot). My fishing Bud, spooled all His Spinning reels with Their new 9 strand braid (65lb), this line is Great! Casts awesome!

That's Right!.

I fished a spot Sunday that I have fished multiple times under multiple conditions and have always *caught something*.

I have been fishg from the bank on a small, maybe 5 acre lake. I have sat many hours in different spots around the shore, hoping to figure out where the best all around is. I settled on a spot where, if I have a really good * cast * I can reach a channel/hole that has been productive for really nice Blues. I can cover a lot of water from this spot and have fished this spot hard, at least 2 days a week for 2 months landing multiple fish in the 5-15lb range and broke my PB several times..Last week,same day, twenty minutes apart,,28.5lb then a 29.7lb. The same 8 hr day I left with 9 fish, 5lb-7.5lb in my cooler.

This past Saturday, a friend and myself fished 8 hrs, got 5 bites,4 fish 2 fish @16lb

So this Sunday, he brought his 4yr old Daughter planning to let her catch a few and see a *Biggun*.We used the same baits,rigging and method I had used before..Why change what's working!

He and his Daughter fished 4 hrs and I stayed on the bank 8. I spent 7hrs and 55 minutes without even a nibble.He did not get a nibble during his 4hr. We did manage to get a bite (on sour Gummy Worms) and his Daughter got to reel in a 2lb Channel.

The last cast,5 minutes to go and I get the only bite of the day,,a 2lb Blue. I had packed all of my gear in the truck and had 1 rod in the water..(it had been a very long day) seriously, not one nibble..

Had I not stayed the last 5 minutes, I would have been SKUNKED.. It was not the multiple *hook ups* I was hoping for or maybe the 30lb that I am anticipating but it was *something*.The weather was awesome, absolutely Beautiful day! I thoroughly enjoyed the entire day,even without even a *nibble*.

This is why We call *It* Fishing and Not Catching* and **Fishing teaches *Patience and Perseverance*

TIGHT LINES!!

Of ALL the **Replies and Comments** this is the *Best* yet!!

I didn't mean to sound brash by my reply. I have spent many hours with out even a bite. I have spent many hours with lots of bites and no hook ups. I fish for most species in my region (WNC) but mostly fish for Catfish. One day they may take a particular bait and the next day won't touch it. I always have multiple baits on hand in hopes that one will attract a bite. I am also reading forums and watching videos on the particular species I might want to target, always trying to improve my chances..

Fishing is good sport in teaching patience. (Example) The other day I spent 12 hours in the same place on the bank of a lake. I had several bites during the day,but No hookups. The fish were just pecking at the bait but not *taking it* . I was keeping my bait fresh, resetting every 45 minutes..At 11 hours and 30 minutes I got a hit that fully loaded an 8' heavy action rod.. 5 minutes later I had a 29.5lb Blue Cat..

I try not to get frustrated over *dry spells* they happen! I, instead, enjoy the fresh air and peace..

I love ** Catching** but mostly I enjoy **Fishing** and the anticipation of ** Catching**

Rigging,bait, lures,technique, equipment, barometric pressure, temperature,moon phase, time of year, quality of the fisheries,etc. ALL play a part in success or failure.. PATIENCE and PERSISTENT!!

If you like to Fish and enjoy to Fish then Fish.Watch videos, read forums, take classes, hire guides, etc. If you only get enjoyment out of Catching, then *Quit* because as I said.."This sport/pass time is called *Fishing not Catching*

And, (kvothe) what smells, is my bait.*It smells really bad!!!!

TIGHT LINES!!

Don't quit!

It is why We call it **Fishing and not Catching**

I know that I am going to get a lot frowns and eye rolls, but here is **My Method**

I bank Catfish mostly and Target the larger specimens. I started doing a cost analysis of my riggings and found that it was cheaper for me to use a *vinyl coated steel wire rigging* ,not because I needed heavy wire and chasing toothy critters, but because I was getting tired of changing leaders from kinks and nicks every 3-5 fish. I build an 18" leader with 90lb swivel, heavy sinker slide with neon green plastic eggs beads on either side of the slide and 90lb ballbearing swivel with clip. All connections/crimps are covered with shrink tube. I then build a 13" leader with crimped loop on one end neon green egg and a 8/0- 10/0 circle hook on the other..All crimps/connections are cover with shrink tube. I use to use 40-60lb flouro carbon for the above rig.Main line is 65lb braid..I keep about 3-4 sets of the above rigging on hand just in case I
have to *break off*. Takes me about 5minutes per set to make and total cost of All parts is about $3.50. I use mostly 3oz cannonball lead,add another $.

I know that this sounds like *overkill* and unnecessary but in the end it*Works*!! At first I was concerned that the smaller Cats would shy away, but not so. I have caught numerous fish in the 5lb range on the rig.

I fish *tight lines* rods in very sturdy rod holders with rods about 60° with a fairly tight drag (not locked down). I have been testing/fishing this rig for about two weeks now..My bite to hook up ratio is better than 90% on fish from 5lb to 30lb, mostly Blues. I never have to change out rigging, I sharpen my hooks every 2-3 fish depending on size of fish and the *fight*.

Once hooked up, I loosen drag and fight the fish like I was using*lite tackle* .

I hate *equipment failure*..Using my method I am very confident that if I loose a fish it will be, because of me not equipment..

TIGHT LINES!!!