Every angler has a favorite bait. The bait they turn to when nothing else works or when they want to go home with a limit of fish. This usually includes something sticky, stinky, and messy for catfish anglers.

For years, the go-to method was to use an unprocessed bait, such as chicken liver, or a dough bait composed of multiple ingredients. But dip bait is one of the hottest baits to hit the catfish scene.

Let’s look at dip bait and how to use it to catch more catfish.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

DIP BAIT AND DOUGH BAIT?

Dip baits are like dough bait or dough balls; they combine ingredients designed to emit a strong scent that attracts catfish. The ingredients vary by manufacturer but often include cheese, blood, garlic, and liver. Some will consist of fish oils, pieces of meat, or even crumbled crackers. The sky’s the limit if the result stinks!

The most significant difference between dip bait and dough bait is the consistency. Dip baits are not solid, and it is unlikely they could be formed into a ball that would stick to a hook effectively. Plus, given the high stink level, even when compared to dough baits, it is not something you would want to handle more than necessary.

HOW DO YOU KEEP DIP BAIT ON?

To attach dip bait to your hook, you need to dip or stick your hook into the bait. The idea is to coat the hook with as much bait as possible. Not only will this maximize the scent, but it will also increase the chance a catfish will hold onto the hook once taken.

Single hooks are rarely used with dip baits because they must carry more bait to be effective. While many anglers will opt for a treble hook, the most productive method is using a hook with a bait holder.

Dip bait holders can take many different shapes and sizes. Still, each will share the same characteristic — a rough or patterned surface to hold as much bait as possible. Sometimes, this will be a ribbed plastic or hole-filled cylinder. Some anglers will even use strips of cloth or cotton balls, which are attached to the hook and soaked in dip bait.

The trick is not what you use to hold the bait but how you apply the dip bait to your lure. As stated before, these baits typically really stink–not something most anglers want to handle unless necessary.

It’s best to have a small stick, spoon, or similar device available. When it is time to coat your lure, lay it on the bait, push it into the mixture, remove it, and go fishing.

There are two methods of rigging a stink bait. Your choice depends on whether you will be fishing on the bottom.

BOTTOM RIG

Add appropriate weight to the main line.

Add a swivel.

Add a leader (if necessary).

Attach hook/bait holder.

The weight will allow longer, more accurate casts and keep your bait on or near the bottom. Set the hook and prepare for the battle when you feel a tug. While the fish probably won’t put up enough of a fight to pull you overboard, always make sure you have a boat ladder to climb back up if you’re fishing from a boat.

SUSPENDED RIG

Attach a slip bobber to the main line.

Add a swivel to your main line below the bobber.

Add a leader (if necessary).

ATTACH HOOK/BAIT HOLDER

This rig is excellent for attaching cruising catfish. It can also pull in stationary fish that smell the bait above their location. The weight of the hook/bait holder is usually enough. However, if you see the bait floating, add some split shots.

WHAT SPECIES CAN YOU EXPECT TO CATCH ON DIP BAIT?

Channel catfish are the primary target as they have little fear of hooks or rigging. Bullheads are another species that will readily take dip baits as they are scavengers looking for an easy meal.

However, expect little success if you’re targeting the more giant predator-type cats such as flatheads or blues. While the smell will attract almost any catfish, the predator species prefer live meals. Therefore, it is unlikely that they will take the bait once they determine it is not alive.

HOW DO YOU MAKE DIP BAIT FOR CATFISH?

By now, some of you may be thinking, “Can’t I just make my dip bait?” The answer is yes. The internet is an excellent recipe source, and none of the ingredients cost more than a few dollars.

Plus, most recipes will make large batches, as much as 1 gallon, so the investment is minuscule throughout the season. It will probably involve some trial and error. The most common problem is finding a consistency that stays on the hook.

If you want to try your hand at cooking a batch of dip bait, here is a recipe for you:

INGREDIENTS

3 lbs. Velveeta cheese

2 lbs. chicken livers with blood

Four tins of sardines

1 cup fish oil

2-3 cups of flour

DIRECTIONS

Slice the cheese into small chunks, place it in a gallon bucket, and cover with hot water.

Mash the cheese and water mixture to form a paste.

In a blender, chop liver (with blood and water from the container).

Add liver to cheese paste.

Mix liver and cheese paste.

Cover the bucket and let it sit until fermented (the smell will tell you when this happens!).

Uncover, add fish oil, and mix.

Add flour in 1/4 cup increments until you have the desired consistency.

For additional scents, feel free to add garlic powder or paste. If using a paste, add it before the flour. You can add the powder to the flour in a 20/80 ratio.

Or you can skip all this and the wait time for fermentation and opt for professionally made bait dips.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

Now that you know what dip bait is, how to use it, what it will catch, and even how to make it, let me give you some tips to increase your success.

Make sure your dip bait stinks. The scent is what draws in the catfish.

Regardless of your bait holder, get as much dip bait on it as possible.

Ensure the hook(s) are exposed for a more accessible setting.

If you do not get a bite after 15 minutes, check and refresh the dip bait, as it does dissolve.

If fishing the bottom without success, move to the floating rig.