Big Otter Creek: Catfish 101, and other species?

[MuskieBait]

If you are after numbers, use smaller pieces of bait. 1" chunk is plenty if you are using smelt. If you are getting picked up but kept missing fish, go even smaller.

Worms are great for smaller Channel Catfish. Just 1/3 of a nightcrawler on a #8 hook is often enough.

You don't necessarily need to buy bait. If there is a clear little creek in the area, you can catch a number of minnows on #14 hook. But of course, that requires a bit of exploring and cutting back on your own fishing time. If you know a spot near home to catch a few Common Shiner or Creek Chub, that's even better. All you really need a half dozen of them to cut up for the day.