Cut Bait
SpecializedBeginnerFresh & salt
A section of fresh baitfish cut to expose flesh and blood, fished still on bottom or under a float to draw fish in by scent rather than sight. A staple for catfish and other bottom-feeders that hunt by smell more than vision.
Profile
- Depth: 8/10
- Speed: 1/10
- Murky Water: 9/10
- Snag Resist.: 2/10
- Castability: 4/10
- Noise: 2/10
Conditions
RetrieveStill / Drift
DepthBottom
WaterMurky
CoverOpen Water
Works well for
Recommended Knots
Technique tips
- Cut it fresh right before fishing — oxidized, dulled bait leaks far less scent than a fresh cut.
- Oily baitfish like shad or herring release more scent trail than lean fish, drawing fish from further away.
- Give it time to work — scent-based bites often take longer to develop than a reaction strike on a moving lure.
Find out what really works for you
Log each catch with the lure that got it, rate lures and see which ones pay off on your waters.