First, let’s start with what to use as the actual container/tank. Ideally your tank should be oval or round in shape, otherwise your fish may get stuck in the corners, and while, yes true you are feeding them to larger fish, you don’t really want them to be banging into the walls of the cooler. However, if all you can find is something that is square, no worries. Insulated containers work better, simply because it will prevent the water from getting too hot. Sometimes it’s just a matter of finding whatever is available – as the saying goes Beggars Can’t be Choosers…otherwise we’d spend the $500, right? Most of the homemade bait tank rigs we’ve seen use a container that is about 30-50 gallons in size. Fish supposedly like lighter blue colors better if you have the flexibility to choose.

Next, you’re going to need a few other things. Bait tanks need to have good air flow in order for the bait to stay alive. Fish get their oxygen by swimming, so if they are in a bait tank they can’t swim enough to get the amount of oxygen they need. For this reason, you need something that will pump oxygen into the water. There are a number of nifty little kits that can do this easily for you. They are usually called “Bait Aerators” or “Bait Pumps” and you can find them at a number of fishing supply stores or online. If you are looking to store the bait long term, it is recommended you also use a pump in addition to the aerator (think aquarium supplies) I am not going to recommend any brand over another, as I have not used them all to tell you really which ones are best. Depending on which kind you buy, you are going to want to follow whatever directions are included in the kit. Some of them are as simple as installing batteries and placing it in the water, others you may need to get some pvc pipe to rig to the container.

And that is really about all you need in order to make your own bait tank. Use your imagination, take some time talking with other people you fish with to see what they’ve used and what works for them…and when you build one we’d love to see some pictures and how you did it, we’ll post them up here for everyone to see when you do Send Pics Here.

The good news also is that many redfish will travel in schools together, so often times once you catch one, you’ll likely be able to catch another! These are typically younger fish, but still of decent size. Red fish can be as big as 40 pounds or more, with the world record being 94 pounds, though most the average person will catch are typically not quite that big. Be sure you check with your state’s regulations – some areas may have rules on what sizes can be kept and which cannot.

So what type of bait is best for redfish? Red Drum fish feed on mainly crustaceans and mollusks naturally, and so this makes a very good bait. Using shrimp, small crabs, mud minnows and finger mullet fish all work well. Others that have been used as good live bait rigs include Menhaden, Emerita (also called sand fleas and/or mole crabs) and just about anything else similar to them.

You can also opt for artificial fishing lures, though this can be sometimes more difficult. In our experience, we’ve found that live bait almost always performs the best, but some people do use and have some success with fishing lures for redfish. If you do wish to use artificial baits, they should be the type that mimic real fish.

Now that you know some secrets for finding channel bass and the best bait for redfish, you’re ready to find them and catch them! What do you use for redfish bait? Share it in the comments section below.

Rigging bait means to put whatever bait you plan on using on the hook. Do it right, and you won’t have to worry about it falling off or the fish stealing it without you getting a catch and going away. Do it wrong, and well, you might as well just be feeding the fish from your boat instead of trying to catch them.

First, it’s important that you have the right size and kind of hook for the type of fish you want to catch. The type of bait you use will also make a difference – you wouldn’t rig a minnow the same way you would rig a worm or the same way you would rig a larger bait fish. Your hook needs to be big enough that the bait will stay on it without falling off, and it also needs to be big enough for the fish to get on it. However, don’t think that bigger is always better – some fish can easily get off the big hooks while others struggle with a smaller one. You have to think about what type of fish you are trying to catch. Most of us are after big fish, but some people are just as happy with a smaller sized one. Some fish have very hard mouths, others not so much. Your line will also factor into this – as if its not the right type you’re also going to run into some issues and problems you may not anticipate.

Most of us can learn better by seeing than by writing instructions, so I found this great and easy to follow video to try that can help you see one method of how to tie on the fish to the hook.

Another video I found to be interesting was this one for rigging sand shrimp. Sandshrimp is best for when fishing for Steelheads or Salmon, though they may work for catching other types of fish as well, depending on your location and what other types of fish are native to the area.

And, lastly, if you want to learn how to put a worm on a hook (aka Nightcrawlers), this video is excellent for showing you how to do it.

Do you have any tips or resources for how to rig live bait? What is your favorite type of live bait to use? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

While you can get a number of different (and pretty stinky) pre-made baits at the local bait shop and even some big box stores, these usually will only leave you pretty disappointed at the end of the day. There’s a number of reasons why you would want to make your own catfish bait, and the best reason is because it actually works! There is nothing worse than going fishing and coming back home empty handed! But, when you use the right bait, that almost never happens. It’s also a lot cheaper in most cases – pound for pound it can save you several dollars each time.

You’ll likely want to experiment with these different recipes to see what works the best for you – some people swear by one type, while others prefer another – some are convenient, while others are a little more involved to make. But all of these are ones I’ve used with pretty good results, so as crazy as some of these sound I assure you they’ve all been personally tested by me and do way better than anything you’ll get out of a patch or a can from the bait & tackle shop. You need to also remember the season, weather, location, and other fishing conditions can affect your success – so if these don’t work the first time, don’t give up – they DO work! You just might need to experiment for the right time of year.

Quick Easy & Convenient Baits

Before we go fishing, we usually make a stop at the grocery store where we get something my wife absolutely hates: chicken livers!

The grocery store sells ours pre-cut, and so this is really handy, as you just put it on the hook and are good to go. I’ve also found that if I have too many I can stick them in the freezer and use them next time I go fishing without a problem.  (Another bonus to storing them in the freezer is my wife will beg me to go fishing because she can’t stand seeing them!)

Other things that will work well in a pinch are actually standard lunch fare for a toddler: hot dogs and chicken nuggets. Shrimp is another one that will work, but they can be pretty pricey.

If you want to try an experiment, try soaking the livers, hot dogs, or chicken nuggets in cherry soda or cherry cola…catfish seem to really like that for some reason!

Next on the list is dough balls.

If you are making dough balls, remember that catfish will eat anything that smells really strong or has a sweet flavor. It helps to have a basic base for the dough balls, like flour, water, and shortening or grease. (If you happen to have bacon for breakfast some morning, make sure you save it because that works really well!) The measurements here are just approximate, I never actually measure anything, just mix it up in a bowl and if the mixture is too thin, thick, or not the right consistency I’ll add more flour or water or grease as need be. Tuna is another tried & true favorite, especially because it is so convenient.

Here’s one doughball recipe:

1 1/2 cups flour (you may need more)
1 cup Cheez-Whiz or Velveeta type of cheese
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can tuna (with water/juice)
1/2 cup Shortening
water if needed

Combine all of the ingredients together until you get a doughy paste perfect for balls…if it is too runny, add more flour, if it’s too thick, add some shortening or water. If using processed cheese cubes, mash it up with a fork. Roll into little balls and freeze/refrigerate until use.

If you ever talk to anyone about making dough balls, they’ll give you a number of different recipes to try out…so don’t be afraid to deviate or experiment with just what you have. The most important thing is that it needs to be able to stay attached to the hook without falling off once it hits the water. Start with flour & shortening (or grease from cooking) as a base – then add whatever else sounds good to you. Some people will add cherry gelatin, strawberry gelatin, mustard, and many other different things. There’s plenty of different wacky and crazy baits out there.

What’s your favorite homemade catfish bait recipe? Share it below so I can try it out!