Hey guys, I'm currently catfishing in a lake full of crawfish. Whenever I use a worm or fish, the crawfish will steal my bait. Any way to stop the crawfish from stealing my stuff while catching catfish?

1: Use artificial baits

2: Find a lake that doesn't have crayfish

 

Really - those are your options. If there's something edible, crayfish will find it and eat it...they're scavengers, it's what they do.

Would using a bobber to keep the bait off bottom help?

 

8 minutes ago, DitchPanda said:

Would using a bobber to keep the bait off bottom help?

 

Yes but I don't know the depth of the water and the park won't let you go in the water or have a boat.

I'm afraid the catfish will not bite.

Try using a pole float and adjust the depth until the float lays over on its side which means its on bottom then adjust it from there. If you stay within a few feet of bottom the cats  will eat and that should keep crays at bay.

Tie a heavier weight to the end of your line and a 6” dropper leader and about 3’ above the weight. Cast and put the rod in a holder then reel the line tight. The bait will be off the bottom away from crawdads.

Tom

You can use a slip float. Just keep adjusting the stop until your weight hits bottom before the stop gets to your bobber. Move the stop so your bait is about a foot off the bottom. The craws won't get it and the catfish will have no problems finding it.

Try a Santee Cooper rig. It'll hold your bait up off the bottom, away from the mud bugs

 

 

Drop shot rig is what we always used for cats back before we knew what a drop shot was.

any more?