CutBait, Dip, breads, tubebait, stinkem sauce, Ya know what I mean

[Guest]

Well guys I would like to know what works and what dosent when it comes to baits.

First, cutbait such as goldeye or another non-game fish cut up, is it legal tu use on both banks of the red or only the North Dakota side?

I see all of theese "miracle goo" stuff in the stores, some are blood-cheese dough balls, some come in a tube and appear as if you squirt it onto a hook, and others are in a tub and you seem to just glob it on.

Others say use creek chubs or bundle a bunch of crawlers on the hook.

What really works and what is a line of B.S. I would rather not waste my time with something that dosent work.

As far as catching goldeye, do you guys just use bobbers and worms? And has anyone ever use frozen smelt?

Thanks for your time and replies.
Shawn

[Guest]

The only ~BS~ in the bait game is ONLY one bait is the only bait every day in and day out, bait preferences of channel catfish do change very frequently.

Paste, punch, dip, and even scented plastics are all viable and effective bait options for catfish, each in there own time frame and under specific conditions.

Natural baits are generally the go-to bait in this region. Fresh cuts in particular are often the go-to bait of choice on the Red as well as other river systems in the Northern Hemisphere. They are NOT the ONLY thing going!

I would recommend you try a quality paste bait system such as Junnie's Cattracker Baits to see how they work and gain the knowledge to apply when needed. Paste baits offer the handy option of being an off the shelf and easy to use options that you can have handy. Fresh live baits on occasion will be tough to get so they are handy to have a readily accessible bait system option such as paste baits handy. They store well and are very easy to use once you gain the knowledge required to fish them effectively and properly. Highly effective under certain seasonal conditions too.

To catch goldeye think panfishing tactics. Smaller slip bobber rigs, a few split shot, and a single plain gold hook tipped with a chunk of worm will work will do the trick. A tiny plain 1/16 or 1/8 oz. Jig tipped with a worm or crappie sized minnow will work too.

Two personal favorites of mine are the panfish sized Angel Eye Jr. Minnow spoons tipped with a minnow head or a worm work VERY well under a slip float. The second is if the Goldeye/Mooneye are not up near the surface they are most easily caught on a floating PHELPS Spongy Bug jig tipped with a worm set near a backwater current break off a snag pile.

When? Often early morning and at dusk is the best time to stock up on fresh bait.

If you ever wish to get an on the water education for catfish bait systems give me a buzz and we can do a guide trip on the Red. You will lean a lot in one day I guarantee it!

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Backwater Eddy..><,sUMo,>

Backwater Guiding
"Ed on the RED"
(701)-281-2300

[email protected]

http://home.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/index.html

[Bruce]

BBQ. As Ed mentioned in the above post, one bait is not always in all circumstances the best catfish bait. They all seem to have a time when they seem to work best. Goldeye cutbait is one of my favorite baits. Large green frogs probably would be better than goldeye, but I have more fun catching goldeye than I do catching frogs so I use goldeye more often!! Shrimp is another great catfish bait. People say shrimp is too expensive, but if you figure out the math, the shrimp cost about the same as sucker minnows! A nice thing about shrimp is that if you have any bait left over at the end of the day, you can bring it home and have a deliciuos snack. This is something that I don't like to do when using cutbaits, dipbaits or crawlers!!!! When using shrimp, I like to use a Kahle hook that is about the same size as the shrimp. Thread the shrimp on the hook so the tail of the shrimp is at the point end of the hook and the thick end of the shrimp is at the area of the hook eye.

I would also advise contacting Backwater Eddy and set up a guided fishing trip with him on the Red. He is the "Red River Specialist". I went out with him this Spring and learned a great deal on how to read rivers for potential fishing hotspots. I applied what he taught me about reading river last Wednesday when I went fihing on the Red with my son. We caught at least one catfish at every spot we picked to drop anchor. Thank you Ed!!! Bruce

[Guest]

Bruce is a very knowlagable catfisherman, don't let him try to fool ya, he is no slouch in paterning fish.

It is wise to listen to his tips, he is a thinker and loves the sport! We all learn from each other, if your smart that is, you do.

I enjoy fishing with you too Bruce, your on my "A" list fer sure!

Gota go fer now Guna go catch-em me a piggy!

Yup-yup!

...............><,sUMo,>

Latter guys,

Ed

------------------
Backwater Eddy..><,sUMo,>

Backwater Guiding
"Ed on the RED"
(701)-281-2300

[email protected]

http://home.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/index.html

[This message has been edited by Backwater Eddy (edited 05-28-2002).]

[Guest]

Skip the smelt, it is turtle food.

Smelt is too soft once it thaws and the peckers will rob you blind, if the turtles leave them anything.

Go with FRESH goldeye or FRESH cut suckers for cutbait.

Smelt may work, but not very well.

------------------
Backwater Eddy..><,sUMo,>

Backwater Guiding
"Ed on the RED"
(701)-281-2300

[email protected]

http://home.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/index.html

[Guest]

What about frozen smelt? has anyone tried smelt? Ive used it for northerns and muskie and have had very good success with it.

Shawn