Catfish will eat a wide variety of foods and there are plenty baits that you can find at your local grocery store.
Not everyone has time to catch natural bait or the money to buy premium catfish bait.
Sometimes you just have to swing by the grocery store and make the most of it. Well, today you will learn the best catfish bait from the grocery store.
The best grocery store catfish baits are tasty, smelly, and cheap.
Hot dogs are the most popular bait for fishing ponds and small lakes. Hot dogs work best for small channel catfish and bullheads.
Don’t get me wrong, they can definitely catch big catfish, but big catfish seem to only bit hot dogs if they are already near by.
They don’t seem to seek out hot dogs like smaller catfish do. I also seem to catch lots of small bass and turtles on hot dogs which is a nuisance.
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In terms of a fish attractant, chicken liver is probably the best grocery store option. Chicken liver is very bloody and smelly which calls in catfish from a long distance away.
Chicken liver also catches big catfish. The raw, bloody meat is a bit more natural which seems to convince older, wiser catfish to bite.
The main problem with chicken liver is that it is very hard to keep on the hook. One long cast is often enough force to rip the hook through the liver, making you lose your bait.
This is not only extremely annoying, but can be expensive too if you have to burn through most of your bait supply just trying to get it in the water.
There are ways to keep chicken liver on the hook, but they aren’t the most convenient.
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Unlike chicken liver, chicken breast stays on the hook extremely well. You don’t have to worry about it flying off the hook when casting or being swiped by a turtle.
In terms of chicken breast’s attractive qualities, they aren’t the best. Chicken just doesn’t have a lot of scent to it since it is lean muscle mass.
Chicken breast is rather versatile since you can cut it up into any size or shape you want depending on the size or species of catfish you are after.
If you already know where the catfish are, then chicken liver is a great option, but if you need a scent to attract them from far away or in a big lake, using smellier baits will work better.
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Also read: Do Catfish Like Chicken?
Shrimp are typically a saltwater bait, but they can still catch catfish in ponds and lakes.
I personally don’t really use shrimp while catfishing, but I can’t deny that they work. They certainly have lots of scent.
The main limiting factor when it comes to shrimp is size. Shrimp are not very big, so you will mostly catch smaller catfish like bullheads when using shrimp.
You can load 3-4 on a bigger hook, but even that is still not a large profile. Also, most grocery store shrimp is frozen, and I feel like fresh is always better when it comes to fishing.
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I honestly don’t love cheese as a catfish bait either, but I have caught some on it. Cheese doesn’t have a lot of scent so like the chicken breast, it is better for small ponds.
Also, on long casts, hooks can tear through the cheese similar to the chicken liver.
For a grocery store bait, cheese can definitely catch catfish, but I feel like there are better options.
The best part about using cheese is that your hands won’t smell terrible from handling it, and you don’t have to worry about getting raw meat on your hands.
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I have actually never used marshmallows for catfish, but I have been told that they work. They don’t have lots of scent on the surface, but they slowly dissolve in the water, leaving a scent trail.
This is a bit of a double edged sword though. The marshmallows leave a scent trail, but the more they dissolve, the less bait you have on your hook.
The most unique quality of marshmallows is that they float. Using certain rigs, you can suspend the marshmallows off the bottom.
This is actually very useful if the lake you are fishing has a weedy or soot bottom where other baits will sink into and disappear.
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The honorable mention is not exactly a specific bait, but more of a bait enhancement category. This is powdered scents. The best scent additions are Jell-O, garlic, and anise extract.
These flavors and seasonings can be added to any of the above baits to give them more scent and flavor. Just put them in a baggy or bucket and let if soak for a day or two.
One of my favorite all time catfish baits is chicken breast marinated in strawberry Jell-O powder.
I’m not sure if the strawberry flavor is better than any other, but I have the most confidence in it for whatever reason.
Don’t have time to go to the store? Try using Nightcrawlers for Catfish
These baits are cheap, easy to use, and accessible. But do they work as well as traditional catfish bait? Well, in my eyes nothing beats fresh cut bait.
I have found that some of these baits are not the best cold water catfish baits compared to more natural and realistic baits.
And even more specifically, the fresh cut head or a bluegill or sucker seems to work better than anything.
Cut bait matches the hatch, making it ideal for almost all situations. However, I think most of these grocery store baits work better than all the popular stink baits and dough baits on the market.
I do like to use blood shad that you can find a Walmart or a fishing store.
But, if I am just going out for a quick fishing trip at my local pond, I will always use one of these grocery store baits rather than taking the time to catch some fresh bait or make the longer drive to a tackle shop.
Hot Dog:
Popular bait for ponds and small lakes.
Works best for small channel catfish and bullheads.
Can attract big catfish if they are nearby.
May also catch small bass and turtles.
Overall Rating: 4.1/5
Chicken Liver:
Excellent fish attractant with a strong scent.
Effective for catching big catfish.
Difficult to keep on the hook; prone to tearing.
Overall Rating: 3.7/5
Chicken Breast:
Stays on the hook well; doesn’t easily come off during casting.
Versatile for cutting into various sizes and shapes.
Less potent scent compared to other baits.
Suitable when catfish are already located but may not attract from a distance.
Overall Rating: 3.9/5
Shrimp:
Typically a saltwater bait but can catch catfish in ponds and lakes.
Limited by size; mostly catches smaller catfish.
Frozen shrimp may be less effective than fresh.
Overall Rating: 3.3/5
Cheese:
Limited scent; better for small ponds.
Hooks may tear through cheese on long casts.
Convenient for anglers concerned about handling raw meat.
Overall Rating: 3.0/5
Marshmallow:
Dissolves in water, leaving a scent trail.
Floats, useful for suspending off the bottom in weedy or soft-bottomed lakes.
Decreases bait quantity as it dissolves.
Overall Rating: 3.0/5
Honorable Mention – Powdered Scents:
Flavors like Jell-O, garlic, and anise extract enhance baits.
Can be added to any of the mentioned baits for more scent and flavor.
Overall Rating: Not applicable
Q: How do grocery store baits compare to “real” catfish bait? A: While fresh cut bait, particularly from species like bluegill or sucker, is highly effective, grocery store baits are cheap, easy to use, and accessible. They may not match the effectiveness of fresh cut bait in all situations, but they often outperform popular stink baits and dough baits on the market.
Q: Are these baits suitable for cold water catfishing? A: Some of these baits may not be the best for cold water catfishing compared to more natural options. Fresh cut bait, especially from bluegill or sucker, is considered superior in cold water conditions.
Q: Why choose grocery store baits over fresh bait or tackle shop options? A: Grocery store baits are convenient and cost-effective for quick local fishing trips. While fresh bait may be ideal, these baits offer a practical alternative, especially for those fishing at ponds without the need for extensive bait preparation.
Q: Can powdered scents be added to any bait? A: Yes, powdered scents like Jell-O, garlic, and anise extract can be added to any of the mentioned baits to enhance their scent and flavor. Simply soak the bait in a baggy or bucket for a day or two for optimal results.
Every local grocery store or drug store will have plenty of options to catch catfish.
Dealing with fresh bait or popular stink baits can be expensive and inconvenient, so next time you go catfishing, just pick up one of these baits and head out to the water.
Hearing the scream of your real’s drag is one of the best sounds this world has to offer, and catfish love pulling drag.
If you are new to catfishing, check out some of our other articles so that you can hear that glorious sound much much more.
