Can't catch big blues and flatheads

[Yunan]

I'm having a hard time catching any blues or flat heads or even big channels. Whenever I use worms at night for bottom fishingsh the action is non-stop but never managed to catch any decent size catfish. Tried chicken heart, but only caught a mudpuppy lool. What bait should I use that produced bigger catfish by avoids the small 1 pounder channels? I am planning to pull an all nighter in the next week along the Ottawa river.

Would be thinking of buying some whole sardine and mackerel at the Asian market. Would I be allowed to use them at bait.

[RJ]

First off we don't have Blues or Flatheads here. Big channels aren't easy on the river. The sheer numbers of those smaller fish lends to the fact that you catch mostly them.

You are allowed to use pretty much anything for bait.

RJ

[Yunan]

Oops my bad didn't know the river didn't have those catfish, that's why I never see people catch anything. That was embarrassing . Thanks for the info!

[Wallyboss]

I used shrimps as bait when I used to go for cats. You can buy a bag of(75) shelled shrimps for about 7-8 dollars at any grocery store. I used to soak them in a garlic juice and catfish loved them. There are some fair size channel cats in the river but you'll catch a pile of smaller ones too.

[zippyfx]

Best option is dead minnows or cut up minnows fished on the bottom. The bigger the bait you use the more likley you are to catch a bigger fish but as RJ mentioned gotta find a place that has limited small ones.... Most spots on the Ottawa should give you easy access to 2-4 pounders. Bigger are always a possibility.

[Yunan]

Thanks for all the advice, I'll buy some shrimps and minnow for those weekend. Hopefully can get something over 2 pounds. Lol