yellow belly catfish

[jr1945]

thats what we called them when i was a kid. someone had asked about them ( can't remember who ). so i decided to try one. i guess a bass would eat a catfish as soon as any thing else. this one came out a little big ( 9", slow sinking ) so i'm working on a smaller version.

[Steven Ladner]

I really like this one. I see no reason why a bass wouldn't hit it 

[Fishwhittler]

That's a very good looking bait. I thought my catfish weren't that bad, but yours is in another league entirely.

If you don't mind my asking, how did you make the whiskers?

Edit:  Never mind, I just saw this bait on TU where you described what you used.

[jr1945]

That's a very good looking bait. I thought my catfish weren't that bad, but yours is in another league entirely.

If you don't mind my asking, how did you make the whiskers?

Edit: Never mind, I just saw this bait on TU where you described what you used.

glad tou saw that. i found the insulation from the low voltage wire works good. i cut a piece about 4" long, pull out the srands of wire and leave a couple of strands in the jacket. then you want some way to heat the insulation. i use a propane tank turned down real low ( too much heat will soften the insulation too quick. actually, i just thought a candle might work better ) i hold each end of the wire and hold it so the heat is centered on the wire and stretch it as it softens. this will give you a graduall taper from the center out. i hold it stretched out like that until it cools so it will not curl too bad. the few strands of wire inside will help stop this and allow you to shape the wire some. then cut it in the middle will give you two pieces. takes some practice >

then just make some small holes where you want the whiskers and epoxy it in.

[Fishwhittler]

Thanks for the detailed how-to. I may have to try something like that on the next catfish I make. I have been using rubber skirt material, but I don't like how stretchy it is; epoxy doesn't stick to it well and so the whiskers might pull out.  I've found a method that holds them pretty well, but I'm still not perfectly satisfied with it and I think your method will be the best way to go.

I can't wait to see the smaller version. 8-)

[MMan16]

  Nice