Dip Baits

Anyone use dip baits? Any luck?

I would like to know the same answer – I found out Friday I was going to visit the River again (for a day trip)and went out and bought some dip bait hoping to catch a better cat then what I caught on vacation. I put some on a hook (per what the bait guy told me)and it went flying thur the air when I went to cast it.

my dad went the other day in backbone and got one cat with dip bait but he wasnt there long so it might work good who knows

Joe, I replied to your first post in the “General Discussion” forum. Would like to add that dip worms should be wiped dry with a rag when wet. This will also help bait stick to worm.
Charlie

Its good stuff but boy is it bad smellin. My preference is Sonnys, regular. They also have it with blood added. I like the rubber worm with holes in it and a sponge between the worm and the treble hook. Seems like Sonnys you can mash in the holes on the worm better and yes if you have to big a glob on it it will fling off and hit whos ever around. They come with a long snell and put an egg sinker one the line with a swivel snap on the end to attach the snelled hook. If no takers in 15-20 minutes rebait up.

Bear,
I used Sonny’s channel bait. I got nice hits, but the night was crap. No one got anything. I will not give up on this.

Hi guys and gals.

First off, I have NO experiance with dip baits. Watching this forum over the last year or so, the dip bait question has come up a couple times. Generally the response has been that it works good for the smaller channel cats.. smaller as in eating size. I think you’ll find most of the catch and release guys using cut bait for channels.

Cut bait will give off a lot of sent too, but needs to be kept fresh similar to dip bait..the flowing water washes all the sent a way after a while. The other drawback, like dip bait is that when you cast it, sometime the “guts” goes the wrong way. I went to bed once with sucker eggs in the back of my hair….my wife got up before me in the morning…but I was “up” soon after that….

PS A great cat guide on the Red’s thought is that if a baitfish dies you should use it within a week…unless you freeze it.

My two cents…

Thanks Brian. A buddy and me were thinkn of useing cut bait. Might giver a try now.

i’ve used them for years 4 channels and used differant ones but never had much luck on them,except 4 one type.i don’t have anymore of it and can’t convince myself to drive 4 3 hours to get somemore .you can only get it down around rock falls,dixion area{illinois}that i no of.i used it down there and it worked and i used it here and they loved it.i sure do wish i had a tub of it. it’s called TJ’S dip bait,ever heard of it?

Paul’s Discount in Clinton, Ia carries TJ’S . Good stuff, think it has a lot of milk, and cheese products in it, and lots of bits of corn. My fish’n buddy gets it in 5 gal buckets when he goes to Rock Falls.

This Rock Falls is in Iowa Right? Not the Wisconsin one?

Rock Falls Illinois

TJs works great. I like how it sticks to the worms better than most. And to thin it i just add water. Some around here are oil based and that one is water based. We were 2 hours from home and even seen tjs and i was suprised. a tub doesn’t last very long , at one time i got a bucket in rockfalls, but don’t know if they still carry buckets or ust tubs

Hi,
Just bought it by the bucket at Nick’s Tavern, 1300 Prophetstown Rd, Rock Falls. $25 a bucket. Suggest calling (815)626-1470 before you make the trip. Regarding catfish size that consider TJ’s and others a delicacy, 8 pounds is my best, but know of larger.

Charlie

I’ve had lousy luck with dips. I’d much rather pile a few crawlers on a hook and see how that works. Crawlers are something they eat with regularity, and if they don’t pick it up, something else is likely to give’er a go. Like what I presume to be the majority on this site, I’m mostly catch and release, so if I’m reeling in a 1 1/2 lb. drum or 6 lb., soon to be released channel, I try to enjoy the fight just the same. I have the fixings to a nice catfish fry in the freezer, so I’m not against keeping a few young and tasties now and then. But I will say, dips and crawlers be da&*ed, you’ll get the most hits off cut baits. Turn yourself into a diehard (read Jetcat, Briank, Whiskerkev, Commanchero, FlatheadWI, et. all <read CatnAddict and Catadman? hero’s of yore that used to post a lot>) and you’ll be using live. Plenty of posts here and no need to dig deep. Want channels? use cut bait. Want flats? use live. Personally, I fish the upper Croix and have only caught flats on cut. I haven’t put in the time with live to back up their claims, but check their posts and pics and post whether or not you’re trying to soak a sponge, trying to keep dipbait on a plastic worm, or skewer the largest by state law, sunnie or bullhead with a big ole circle hook.