As an avid catfish angler with over 15 years of experience, I can tell you that shrimp is one of the most effective baits for catching catfish. Let me share everything I’ve learned about using shrimp as catfish bait and help you land more fish.
Quick Answer
Yes, shrimp is excellent bait for catfish, especially channel cats and bullheads. The strong scent and natural taste make it irresistible to catfish. You can use fresh, frozen, or even slightly spoiled shrimp with great success.
Why Shrimp Works So Well for Catfish
Here’s what makes shrimp such killer catfish bait:
- Strong Scent Trail: Catfish have an amazing sense of smell. The natural oils and amino acids in shrimp create an irresistible scent trail in the water
- Easy to Find: You can grab shrimp at any grocery store or bait shop
- Stays on Hook: Unlike chicken liver or dough baits, shrimp stays on your hook well
- Cost-Effective: While not the cheapest bait, a bag of frozen shrimp can last several fishing trips
- Versatile: Works in all seasons and water conditions (though best in summer)
Best Types of Catfish to Catch with Shrimp
In my experience, shrimp works best for:
- Channel catfish (excellent)
- Bullheads (very effective)
- Blue catfish (decent results)
- Flathead catfish (not recommended – prefer live bait)
How to Prepare Shrimp for Catfish Bait
Fresh vs Frozen Shrimp
Both work well, but here’s what I recommend:
Fresh Shrimp
- More natural scent
- Can be harder to find
- More expensive
- Must use quickly
Frozen Shrimp
- Easy to store
- More affordable
- Works almost as well
- Can buy in bulk
The “Stink Bait” Method
Want even better results? Try this trick
- Leave shrimp out for 3-5 days to spoil slightly
- Keep in sealed container outside (trust me, you don’t want this inside!)
- The extra stink drives catfish crazy
- Best used in warm water conditions
Pro Tip: Add garlic salt to your shrimp for extra attractant power. I’ve had amazing success with this combo!
How to Rig Shrimp for Catfish
Basic Rigging Steps:
- Remove shell and tail
- Cut larger shrimp into chunks
- Choose your hook method:
Head Hook Method
- Best for bottom fishing
- Thread hook through head
- Good bait retention
Tail Hook Method
- Better for drifting
- Hook through broken tail end
- Creates more scent trail
Recommended Gear:
- Hook size: 2/0 to 5/0 circle hooks
- Line: 20-30 lb test
- Leader: 12-18 inches
- Sinker: 1-2 oz depending on current
Best Times to Use Shrimp as Catfish Bait
Seasonal Guide:
Summer (Best)
- Warmer water increases scent dispersion
- More active feeding
- Use slightly spoiled shrimp
Spring/Fall (Good)
- Focus on deeper holes
- Fresh shrimp works better
- Target dawn/dusk periods
Winter (Fair)
- Fish slower
- Use fresh shrimp
- Target known winter holes
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using cooked shrimp (raw works better)
- Not removing the shell
- Using pieces too large
- Fishing too shallow
- Not letting spoiled shrimp air out properly
Comparing Shrimp to Other Catfish Baits
| Bait Type | Effectiveness | Ease of Use | Cost | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shrimp | High | Easy | Medium | High |
| Chicken Liver | High | Hard | Low | High |
| Cut Bait | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Worms | Medium | Easy | Low | High |
| Dough Bait | Medium | Medium | Low | High |
Final Tips for Success
- Start with fresh shrimp if you’re new to this
- Experiment with different rigging methods
- Try adding scent attractants
- Keep bait in cooler on hot days
- Don’t be afraid to let it get stinky!
After countless fishing trips and experiments, I can confidently say shrimp is one of the best baits for catfish. While it might not be the absolute cheapest option, its effectiveness and ease of use make it worth every penny.
Remember, fishing ain’t just about catching fish – it’s about the experience and learning what works best for you. Give shrimp a try on your next catfishing trip, and I bet you’ll be impressed with the results!
Would you like me to break down any specific part of this guide in more detail? Drop a comment below and I’ll help you out! Tight lines!
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish ever trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Using Frozen Shrimp For Inshore Slams [VIDEO]
Ready To Finally Fish With Confidence? Then sign up for our FREE INTERACTIVE Saltwater Fishing School below.
Top 5 Best Catfish Baits Made Simple – Blue, Channel, Flathead Catfish
FAQ
Is frozen shrimp good for bait?
Can I put shrimp with catfish?
As the shrimp and the catfish occupy very different ecological niches and feeding strategies, they should ignore one another.
What is the best bait to get catfish?
Live baits work great, including minnows, worms, frogs, shad, chubs and even grasshoppers and cicadas. Dead and smelly baits are well-known for attracting hungry cats, including things such as fish guts, shrimp, chicken liver, mussels and stinkbait. Grocery-store baits like bacon, frankfurters and cheese work, too.
Is shrimp a good bait for catfish?
Shrimp is one of the most common and effective baits for catfish. It is easy to catch and works well for various species of this popular fish. When using shrimp for catfish bait, keep in mind that
Does shrimp work as catfish bait?
Shrimp does catch catfish, particularly for channel catfish. However, it may not be as effective for catching flathead or blue catfish.
What type of shrimp is best for catfishing?
The standard frozen shrimp are sold in bags of fifty. That’s a nice amount of bait for a catfishing trip. Don’t Put It on The Line Frozen cocktail shrimp might be expensive, but the standard frozen shrimp are sold in bags of fifty.
Where can I find catfish bait?
You can find catfish bait at the grocery store. The shrimp purchased there is perfect for catfish bait. It’s often more affordable and better quality than what you might find at bait shops.
How should you hook a shrimp for catfish bait?
To hook a shrimp for catfish bait, slide the hook through the head and the body so that most of the hook is inside the body. This method helps prevent bait stealers and increases the chances of catching bigger fish.
Can shrimp bait be a catfish magnet?
Let’s dive into the techniques that turn shrimp bait into a catfish magnet. Bottom Fishing: You see, shrimp baits are just the ticket for bottom fishing. Simply cast your line, let your baited hook sink to the bottom, and wait for a catfish to bite. They’re bottom dwellers, after all!