Where they are legal to use, sunfish make good catfish bait.
There are a variety of baits that fishermen can use when targeting catfish, but sunfish are one of the most effective. Some anglers use live sunfish and target big flathead catfish, while others cut sunfish into strips and use them for catching channel catfish. Before fishing with sunfish -- dead or alive -- anglers must check the fishing regulations in the state in which they are fishing, because some do not allow anglers to use game fish as bait.
Instructions
Live Sunfish
1. Select a sunfish that is 4 inches to 6 inches in length. Use a 2/0 or 4/0 hook.
2. Insert the hook point just below the dorsal fin, and push the hook through the body and out the other side. This will allow the sunfish to swim around while hooked and reduces the likelihood the fish will fall off the hook.
3. Make a shallow cut along one or both sides of the fish. The cut should be just deep enough to cause the fish to bleed. The blood will attract fish.
Dead Sunfish
4. Kill the sunfish quickly by knocking it over the head with a rock or other object. Cut the head off the fish. Hold the head on its side and insert the hook point through the top and push it through the head and out the bottom. The bones of the head hold the hook in place.
5. Cut the tail off the body and discard it.
6. Hold the body on its side and insert the point of the hook into the top of the body, press it through and push it out the other side of the body. The skin will help hold the hook in place, and the blood and organs will attract catfish.
Tags: hold hook, hold hook place, hook place, hook point, other side, side insert
