Ever wanted to catch a big catfish using chicken liver as bait? Well, you’re in luck! In this blog post, we will discuss how to do just that.
First off, it is important to note that the best time of day to go fishing for catfish is usually at night. This is because they are nocturnal—which means they come out at night to eat and feed. So what you want to do is set up your bait on the end of your line about 3-4 feet from any underwater obstructions like rocks or logs. Then all you have left is wait for them to come out and take the bait!
What Makes Chicken Liver the Best Catfish Bait
It’s no secret that catfish love chicken liver. Catfish are known to be the most aggressive fish in any freshwater body of water and they have a voracious appetite for anything, especially if it is a food item that is rich in protein as chicken liver.
This bait will catch big catfish because this type of meat is irresistible to them. In this article, we will discuss how you can use chicken liver as bait to catch big catfish near your home or favorite fishing hole!
How to Keep Your Chicken Liver on the Hook
Getting Your chicken liver to stick to your hook can be a challenge. Many beginners have a tough time getting through this part, however, we got your back.
Here are the top tips you can follow to ensure the chicken liver bait stays on your hook:
- Salt cure the livers this makes them a little tougher. You can throw them a bit farther and use them in faster water. I used a circle hook or bait holder.
- If not salt cured, hook through the stronger membrane and free line. You won’t be able to throw it far unless you’re using a light line. I do this at stock ponds and smaller backwater coves.
- You can also leave some liver out in the sun with a ton of salt and garlic on it. It usually stays on the hook just fine.
- Lastly, Bait bags or nylon mesh onion bags cut into squares appropriate to your hook size works perfectly.
If you choose to not use salt cured chicken liver for your catfish bait, then make sure to use some type of holder that will allow it to stay on the hook while casting such as a Bait Holder or even using the monofilament nylon thread with one end tied securely around your worm loop and the other end knotted onto itself at least three times above where it wraps around your fishing line. This way when you cast out your chicken liver pieces if any happen to come off during retrieval.
Which Hook Should You Use With Your Chicken Liver Bait
Circle hooks work better in fast water as they keep the bait in a straight line. The hook point is buried along the curve of the circle and thus, protected from snags and sharp rocks.
You want to use the smallest hook you can get away with. Keep in mind, smaller hooks require more skill and finesse on your part.
If I am using a worm harness or chicken liver bait bag, then I usually use an extra small treble hook (size 18-22). If it’s a free line situation where I need to throw farther, then I will up my size to maybe 12/0 double strand wire for larger catfish like channels and flatheads.
And finally, if you plan on fishing from shore with heavy cover along bankside such as reeds or lily pads etc., consider adding some weight onto your line between 4 – 8 ounces should be adequate depending on how deep water is at the spot you are fishing.
Perfect Rig for Using Chicken Liver Bait for Catfishing
My preferred method for getting my chicken liver bait into prime position (and I have tried many) would have to be by using dry-dropper rigs where two lengths are tied together at one end creating an open loop about three feet long consisting of one length as the dropper, and the other as mainline which then attaches to a hook and bait.
This rig allows you to get your chicken liver right in front of the catfish without having them see it at first glance, while not getting too close or spooking them with a direct hookup – which is never fun!
You can then make several casts over the same area before moving on, keeping an eye out for any sign that would indicate they are biting. Now if all goes well (and most times it does!), I’ll feel my line being pulled tight as soon as one has grabbed my chicken liver from below. That means their appetite was so strong that they were willing to take the riskier approach of coming up underneath me where I have far less leverage than when fishing near the bottom structure where there’s lots to hold a fish in place.
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