I'm sure that ill get plenty of good idea's and responses from this one...i really want to hear what everyone loves to use.....

as for me, i love fresh chicken livers, problem is they dont want to stay hooked very well, that is until the water hardens them up a little, but then they aren't all gooey and awesome still....

what do you all use for cats????????

Literally, just about anything. However, my latest thing has been vibrax spinners. Not all cats hit them, but so far every cat I have gotten on a spinner just seem to be more aggressive than some of the others.

They hit 'em hard and really give me a good fight. I got the same from just about any other bait but it seems the cats that hit these spinners all seem to be the aggressive ones.

I had good luck with clams when i lived in CA  I have been told that cut up hot dogs work well    I havent tried them   but I might give it a try this year

Whole 3" or 4" smelt, cut smelt, cut up "bloaters" are problly the best cut bait I have used, cut up suckers (the fish), sucker guts, and rainbow spawn.

Cut shad or silver carp.

Hot dog pieces sprinkled with garlic salt. Some guys around here add pancake syrup to the above mess.

Hot dog tip : Buy the cheapest low budget dollar store hot dogs you can find. You want them with the rubbery skin, they stay on your hook better.

As for the chicken livers, I have not done this but I've heard about it - cut small squares of women's stocking. Wrap the chicken livers in the stocking and tie to the shank of a treble hook. Supposed to let the scent out without losing the bait.

Ok, you guys have got to clear something up for me.  You folks that use hot dogs... are you using them at like small farm ponds or on the river?  

I could believe farm pond cats would take hot dogs b/c they'll eat about anything... but what about rivers?

Just curious.

the women's nylons to cover the livers sounds great actually!!! Obviously, i haven't tried it yet, but wow.......that's a great idea!!  it will hold the bait, and let all of the scent trail out......this is why i love this site and everyone in it.....hopefully i get more ideas of this nature, and i am definitely gonna try the hot dogs as well now.

Two words for ya.  "live bluegill"

If I were you, I would not be caught dead buying a pair of womens nylons, but thats me.  Instead of actually using the nylons get yourself some of this, we use it for spawn sacks and stuff and I know guys that tie sucker guts into sacks with this stuff.

http://www.fishusa.com/Blackbird-Spawn-Net-by-Redwing-Tackle_p.html

This little guy right here

and a few of these little guys

other than that, some good fresh chicken liver.  

I've tried about a 100 different concoctions over the years. From chicken livers, spam, dip baits, cat chunks, cut bait, all of the above with vanilla extract, blue cheese, fish oil, crawfish scent, powered strawberry jello rubbed on just to name a few.  I usually end up with a smelly mess and maybe a catfish or two.  But the one bait that consistantly produces for me is...night crawlers.  I thread 2 or 3 of them on a circle hook and chuck it out there.  They stay on the hook really well, I just have to rinse the dirt off my hands and the cats just can't resist them.  I catch cats everytime out.  Not just dinks either.  3 weeks ago I pulled in a 8lb flathead and last year a 12.5lb channel.  These may not sound like much to some of you, but these are big fish for NJ.

cut bait

My grandfather and I used to slay the catfish on a trotline loaded with hotdogs.

Cut them in 1/4s and have at it.

It doesn't hurt if they are a little sour either.

Two words for ya. "live bluegill"

Just make sure it's legal in your state

the bluegill sounds great as well, and they are quite plentiful in my area, but i like the post about the legality of it.... im not sure of the legal issues with it here in fl........

if anyone has the info im glad to hear,

ill be checking it out soon on my own as well.....

thanks guys, everyone on this site rocks!!!!!

Live carp, crappie, or bluegill, preferably around a foot long.

It is legal in Illinois, but I would check your states regs.  Thanks Bilgerat, I should have added that disclaimer myself..... :-[

i have had great luck with crawdads on bank poles , its seems like bluegill are about the best on trotlines, chicken livers or sonnys stinkbait on rod and reel.

I'm sure that ill get plenty of good idea's and responses from this one...i really want to hear what everyone loves to use.....

as for me, i love fresh chicken livers, problem is they dont want to stay hooked very well, that is until the water hardens them up a little, but then they aren't all gooey and awesome still....

what do you all use for cats????????

Ok, I didn't read all the responses, but I'll field this one.  Chicken liver in pantyhose.  Simple and the cats in Florida, or anywhere for that matter, can't resist it.  It stays on the hook easily (actually a bit difficult to get them off) and you get all the benefits of the stink.  

Live bluegill is the best for big cats.  

If you want to be sneaky about the legality of it, you can always use them as cut bait.  

For the best chances, make sure you catch bluegill in the body of water you want to fish for cats.

haven't checked it out officially with the FWC (florida wildlife commission) yet, but do have word from a very trustworthy old timer fishing buddy source today that in florida, bluegill can be used as bait......so long as they were caught hook and line!!!!

great news for me....

ive got a lot of new approaches to try now!!!

Catalpa worms.

Fresh Shrimp & yes I'm talking fresh water catfish

try beef.on a 6or 7/o hook.good fore bass, pike cats