Cathcing Live Bait Fish

Question
Jack,
What is the best bait to use to to catch live bait fish in a trap?  We need to catch some sunfish for catfishing this weekend.  Thanks

Answer
I have always used some sort of grain or bread for bait in trap.  Cook some oatmeal using less water than you would for eating purposes and cook it well done but, of course, don't burn it.  Roll it into balls about the size of ping pong balls and let it dry out overnight or at least for several hours.  It will probably work better if you suspend it near the middle of the trap rather than just lying on the bottom.  Some people like to add things like anise or a bit of cinnamon but I found that just plain oats works fine.  
If you have shrimp for dinner sometime keep the shells and cook them in with the meal and this will add a bit of MEAT  flavor.  Of course, another way is to get a tiny hook on a rod or pole and catch them that way.  That way you get both the fun of catching them and then use them as bait.  Oh, by the way, check to make certain that your state laws allow the use of live bluegills as bait.  Some states don't and you could get fined if caught.

Here's hoping you get some good catfish.  Bluegills are great bait live for flathead catfish.  Use big ones six inches or bigger for really big flatheads.

Just a couple of slices of bread can work in a trap too if you don't want to go to the extra trouble of making your gruel. Another thing that often may be used is prepared fish food or in my case I use hog pellets from the farm store to feed the 'gills around my dock so that should work too.

Thanks for calling on me to answer your question and if you have further questions don't hesitate to ask.

I am
Jack L. Gaither  (JackfromSeminole)
Lake Seminole, Georgia