Catching bass on catfish baits

[DennisQ]

I'm fishing a small pond in western Ohio. The pond was put in about

1954. It averages about 6'-8' deep now. It is stained very dark with

Aqua Shade. The bottom is black muck with very sparse vegetation.

There is a good size bluegill population, a few black crappie, and

channel cat plus the bass. The pond is kept at a certain level with

well water so it is very clean water.

While fishing on bottom, we have caught large mouth bass on,

venison, stew beef, stew beef covered with onion ring dip from

Burger King, Bar S brand franks, Kahn's brand Big Red Smokeys,

and Bob Evans brand breakfast links. Most of the bass caught on

these baits are in the 2-2 1/2 pound range. Some days we have

caught as many bass as catfish. What in these baits are attracting

bass to them? Is there something lacking in the pond or in their

diet that causes them to hit these?

[central.PA.bass]

I'm fishing a small pond in western Ohio. The pond was put in about

1954. It averages about 6'-8' deep now. It is stained very dark with

Aqua Shade. The bottom is black muck with very sparse vegetation.

There is a good size bluegill population, a few black crappie, and

channel cat plus the bass. The pond is kept at a certain level with

well water so it is very clean water.

While fishing on bottom, we have caught large mouth bass on,

venison, stew beef, stew beef covered with onion ring dip from

Burger King, Bar S brand franks, Kahn's brand Big Red Smokeys,

and Bob Evans brand breakfast links. Most of the bass caught on

these baits are in the 2-2 1/2 pound range. Some days we have

caught as many bass as catfish. What in these baits are attracting

bass to them? Is there something lacking in the pond or in their

diet that causes them to hit these?

im not sure about the answer but it sounds to me like you are wasting good food!!  especially the venison haha

[Glenn]

I'm going to guess you're fishing these "baits" the same way. If that's true, then it's not the bait, but the presentation that's triggering the bite.

[Crestliner2008]

When I was a young lad and camping with my older brother, he'd dangle pieces of a hot dog in the water for LM bass. They'd gobble it up! Not giants mind you, but enough to get me started with fishing!  

[JigMe]

Are you feeding yourself or bass? Shoot, that list made me hungry.

[bdiggy]

Doesn't seem too far fetched. I caught a 3 pound brown bullhead on a T-1 Terminator this summer, so I guess these species enjoy the same foods all around together, lol.

[DennisQ]

I'm going to guess you're fishing these "baits" the same way. If that's true, then it's not the bait, but the presentation that's triggering the bite.

Were fishing flat on bottom so the presentation is the same.