Loading Up On The BEST Catfish Bait | How To Catch Skipjack Herring

On this trip, I hit a backwater creek in early spring to load up on skipjack herring which is the best catfish bait swimming in the Tennessee and Clinch rivers systems.
Want some Kayak Catfish merchandise? Visit www.ShopKayakCatfish.com
-----My Fishing Gear--
Kayak: bit.ly/sportsman_kayak_catfish
White Rods 7ft: amzn.to/36i433V
Black Rods: Academy Roughneck
Reels Size 35: amzn.to/3sERx85
Line 40lb: amzn.to/395cAZD
Size 10/0 Hooks: amzn.to/2XZKfNV
8oz Sinkers: amzn.to/3o0fAKV
Rod Holders: amzn.to/3c0QGsm
Dragging Sinkers Book: amzn.to/2LK0NqZ
Sumo Spoons: amzn.to/2Y2Ehfa
Crappie Magnets: amzn.to/3a8umvA
Crappie Magnet Jig Heads: amzn.to/3paBLP5
Crappie Magnet Kit: amzn.to/2MQFcO6
Life Jacket: amzn.to/3sJQZO1
All of the links above are part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. If you purchase through a link, I get paid a commission.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Website: www.kayakcatfish.com
For more Kayak Catfish content, follow me on Facebook, Tik Tok, and Instagram.
Thanks for watching! Please like, subscribe, and share!
#kayakcatfish #kayakcatfishing #catfishing

[@Murdant]

I've been fishing for almost 50 years, and have never once caught a skipjack. You'd think I'd have hooked in to one by accident.

[@MattLaClear]

Same here, but I'm in Michigan.

[@ut000bs]

I was born and grew up in Knoxville and we caught skipjack a few times fishing for stripes/white bass. We didn't even know what they were. We wondered why shad would hit a small Rooster Tail. We just thought they were threadfin or gizzard shad. We never paid them any attention, we'd just let em go. Ain't that funny? We never thought about using them for catfish. We always used bluegills or shiners. We bought the shiners and caught the bluegill. Sometimes, 3-4 of us would go bank fishing on Ft. Loudon down by Concord Park. I'd take my ultralight and catch bluegill for bait as I went. You can always catch bluegill and bluegill will always catch flatheads.

[@rchilsstandardpoodles8029]

So wish we had them here in central Illinois! I think our new state fish is Asian carp. 🤣

[@RUGER7750]

Love watching you catch skipjack. First time I have seen you happy about a channel cat. LOL

[@trimbaker1893]

Good job on the Skipjacks. I have been working on my taxes and just said enough for today...watching you catch bait is exactly what my brain needed : )

[@flatcatoutdoors7428]

Man I wish I could make it look that easy lol...nice video 👍 as always

[@thomasjarosz7406]

Justin, Show us how to catch Tennessee Tarpon for bait. God bless

[@fishin-impossible2992]

Heck yeah catch the bait when you can. Man you are pumping the videos out Im glad though it gives me something good to watch while Im working. Thanks for sharing

[@deannanphillips]

Justin Ive been mia recently, feels good to finally get to watch some videos! Got some big things happening in life right now, Ill share soon! Hope youre well!!

[@KayakCatfish]

Hope you are doing alright. Thanks for watching!

[@olanroberson3655]

Thanks for the reply. If you get bored with the Tennessee river system come on down and give Clark Hill a try

[@dioad1739]

Man I love watching you catch skippys wish we had them near me in Georgia that was a nice channel I caught two last year almost that size and didn’t put my glove on and regretted that there rough on the ole fingers great video Justin keep doing what you do and I’ll keep watching.

[@tomw3380]

Sure like those skippies as bait. Enjoyed the trip Justin. And yes that sure is a squeeky reel

[@gregnuttall3637]

Good bait catching video. All we can get right now is shiners and a few perch. Learning to throw a cast net. Awww.

[@oneshoeless]

That would be funny if you won the slot tournament with a channel cat! LOL

[@daviddaigrepont9485]

I love catching skipjack! I wish they were good to eat!

[@goyaklarh]

Another great video Justin !

[@kevinjtoner]

Another nice video, Justin! I never miss one.......Thank you 👍🎣

[@tonyjessen8204]

Nice job Justin 👍👍

[@larryoliver9915]

They look like a blast too catch they do look a baby tarpon good luck fishing today thanks for the video 👍🏿👍🏿

[@tommybounds3220]

Thank you for the video

[@kik-n-catfish1709]

A chirpin n channelin video. lol love it. fun watchin you get skippies. want to make my way down there this fall and try my hand at blues and flatheads. I hope.

[@roberthowe5315]

Pretty good channel justin wish we had skipjack here in Missouri they look fun to catch and the cats seem to love them there

[@fishyz1500]

Hey them dang ole channels gonna help in the tounement..hell ya..fish on brother

[@raygissendanner1476]

Great video

[@parrishbrady8440]

Another great video Justin! I’m a local guy from Athens TN. I have watched all your videos, some of them several times. Keep up the good work!

[@stevenkimbrell8796]

Hey Justin that was a good catfish that's what we have here in Georgia we probably have some blues but it has been a long long time since I've seen a blue cat been caught in lake Lanier but a good catch on your bait on the skipjacks another good and awesome video thanks for sharing

[@andybaker5466]

Was watching this one with my 3 year old grandson. He loves to watch you catch " whisker wish" and he cant wait to go on "bacation" with mamma and boppy and catch him a" whisker wish"! Thanks for the videos!! We will keep watching!

[@KayakCatfish]

Haha!!! That’s awesome! Hope you and your grandson catch some big fish this year.

[@williamheden6794]

That was a nice channel cat. Another great video. Thanks Justin. From the couch in Ohio

[@tylerstraub3764]

Justin you're selling out! A true channel cat-hater wouldn't use one to help win a tournament! HAHA Great video as always man

[@KayakCatfish]

Haha! Well I culled him off my tournament score the next day so I had no use for him after all lol.

[@waterratlyle2590]

Never fished for skip jack. But will now for sure. Thats a huge channel cat for sure.

[@randystone4903]

Don't have skippies, but I can think about bigger baits for sure. Also like this video because it shows details of your 2x4 crossbar. Any examples of cheap mods that work well is a big help to my fishing $

[@persimmoncreekoutdoor9553]

They look fun to catch

[@larryoliver9915]

That was a nice channel catfish 👍🏿👍🏿

[@troutmagnetman]

Fun getting the bait for the big boys......

[@josetellez1803]

Really wish we had some here in okc

[@brianforrest3377]

Great video pal them dang o channel cats 😂

[@SH-os1ck]

Jack Diddly Poo! Lmao! Epic sir!

[@kylegrayham240]

You are the second KZbin fishing man I seen today catching bait . Awesome job at least hopefully that Channel Cat will help your slot tournament. 👍

[@johnharriman6046]

Looks almost as fun as catching the big blues!!

[@tedc3895]

I stick a sqeeky reel in the river. Gets the crud out of them.

[@joecompton140]

Yep. Ole creek water lube does the trick.

[@duanemitchell4598]

Awesome vid. Love catching and using Skips as well. The channel was as big as I've ever seen, and it fills a slot until you can get a 31 3/4 to replace it with. I just would die laughing if you filled the rest of your slots with them dang ol' channels.🤣🤣 Thanks for bringing us along on your fishing trip. Until the next vid...keep those baits suspended.

[@Lillythepossum]

Loving ya videos bro from Nashville !!!

[@KayakCatfish]

Thanks Harold!

[@Lillythepossum]

I can't be the only one who prefers to watch you over flair on here 🤣🤣

[@KayakCatfish]

The numbers don’t lie and Flair’s views are much higher than mine ever will be lol

[@Stonecreekadventure]

Signed up for my first slot tournament for April . Thanks for the great videos and information I hope to start reeling in some bigger cats.

[@KayakCatfish]

Awesome! Good luck in the tournament!

[@georgehenley5880]

Great video! Thanks for the tips on catching skip jacks! I know how you dislike channel cats! Glad that one might have helped you out in the tournament! Keep fishing Bro! From north Alabama ghenley35

[@rogerbraswelljr.923]

Man that was a good channel

[@billcoulter1984]

Looks fun, wish we had skipjack here in N Texas. Here it’s gizzard or thread fin shad with a cast net, hard to come by lately. Seem to have more luck targeting carp with rod and reel. Spring is here so hopefully better soon.

[@markbell4982]

Well Mr. Justin, I like all cats and that channel was really close to matching my PB. This would be no big deal except I am twice your age and fish for them intentionally. 😂

[@notbadforaraglesvilleboysm7634]

Not seeing you clearly ain’t a bad thing! Good video any way

[@FISHBOY1210]

I catch them channel cats 25+ inches all the time here in Oregon!!

[@sfoutdoors8917]

Wish we could catch shad like that here in VA! No skipjack for us here

[@shawneldridge4465]

🙋 chicken liver is the greatest bait for catfish, back when I used to do a lot of of catfishing that's what I used. Of course I haven't been catfishing in years, ever since I got into trout fishing that's all I do. Anyway the video is great and I enjoyed watching

[@keepitreelcatfishing5883]

Lou Lou , Skip to my Lou

[@hikenmikes8262]

That would be hilarious if a channel cat won you that tournament

[@CertifiedFishingNut]

I wish we had fresh wild skipjack here in my part of Texas or nice rivers lol Keep em coming Justin

[@davidwalker6438]

No doubt man. One or two small rivers, but nothing like those Eastern guys have. And yes, it would be nice to be able to fish for skipjack. We can catch bluegill, but they aren't stacked in numbers like those skipjack are.

[@CertifiedFishingNut]

@@davidwalker6438 I fish the pease river and it’s not productive at all lol I need to float it and find some deep holes

[@davidwalker6438]

@@CertifiedFishingNut Don't know if you're anywhere close to the Brazos between Whitney, Possum Kingdom, or Granbury, but it's very productive. You can limit out on Sandies right now in an hour or two.

[@Just-Trust]

I tell you what I'm lucky to be in Houston where I can get fresh Mullet! But also I can get gizzard shad and carp. ALL good bait... mullet is just as good as skipjack

[@CertifiedFishingNut]

@@Just-Trust I used some once when I went to the ocean caught tons of hardheads and gaftops I should’ve brought some back with me lol

[@derekstgermain4627]

Always give your videos a like. I would hate being a skipjack when your cruising the water

[@KayakCatfish]

Thanks Derek!

[@derekstgermain4627]

@@KayakCatfish anytime

[@beaudeclue4719]

Try California where I have to fish for fresh water striper and catfish with anchovy or mackerel. I would love to catch my own bait.

[@donaldjones5701]

I was just watching ol catfish Dave when your video popped up! I clicked immediately on yours though don’t tell him lol

[@motobator1895]

me too. lol

[@CertifiedFishingNut]

Catfish Dave has changed.

[@hikenmikes8262]

@@CertifiedFishingNut yup!! Remember the days when he fished from the shore and was excited about fishing...instead of bitching about making a video

[@hikenmikes8262]

Well..kayak catfish is still very excited about catfishing, whereas, catfish Dave acts like it’s a chore now. Plus, he is like a fish-out-of-water in that boat...banging around with his stupid net.

[@hikenmikes8262]

Absolutely...I used to see them as equals...no longer. Kayak catfish still seems excited and appreciative to be fishing.

[@HeadtoTailBBQCooking]

Dang ole channel cat actually helped ya out this time 🤣

[@shiroikin]

I finally got my kayak, nothing fancy but it'll do

[@KayakCatfish]

Awesome! Hope you catch some monsters in it

[@shiroikin]

@@KayakCatfish I hope so to

[@jdheatmag]

Good video man! Just curious, have you ever tried a silver rooster tail for those skipjack? Seems like a treble hook would hold better than the single jig hooks.

[@KayakCatfish]

Yes, a lot of people like throwing rooster tails for skips.

[@CATCHAHAWG]

I wish we had some of those greasy things over here in East Texas.

[@briansuttles6743]

stinky old channel may help you win lol. great video, lots of action. it hard to bad mouth a big one. stay safe.

[@tnfishingadventures4901]

I need watch this video about a 100 times I live in eastern part of East tn we don’t have skipjack up my way and every time I come down and try to catch them for bait its a no go

[@KayakCatfish]

Hope you get on some next time

[@olanroberson3655]

Do you fish Clark Hill lake in Georgia? My research says we don’t have skip jack on Clark hill so what would you fish with if you were fishing Clark Hill? Would you consider doing some videos on Clark Hill lake?

[@KayakCatfish]

I have never fished there. I would use whatever bait fish are native to that body of water if I were to ever go there.

[@tedc3895]

I found out blues come to salted cut bait. Try salting in a zip lock bag in the freezer.

[@jamescardwell3254]

Nice channel cat first one ive seen i east tn that big good job i wish we had skip jack up here next to the nc line where we are id like to try it out even though its not a part of our normal food chain for our cats in watauga lake and boone lake what would be your input on that if you dont mind me asking

[@KayakCatfish]

I would use whatever bait is native to those bodies of water.

[@PlayzAlot2]

I thought Cataba Worms were Catfish Candy. I know Mr. Whiskers can't stay off of them around here. It's crazy how fast they gobble them up.

[@steveslifevideos8803]

Hi Justin, just wondering if you add water or anything to the skipjack when you freeze them. Thanks and love the videos, you’re an inspiration to others.

[@KayakCatfish]

I just wrap the skips in aluminum foil and stack them in the freezer

[@chrisreumont]

Channel cat to the rescue. You keep catch a couple more that size you might just win.

[@1glockfan]

What do you use on your measuring board to keep it open? Is there some kind of sliding bracket on the back?

[@KayakCatfish]

1/2” C channel fits over the hinges to lock in place

[@jerriodraab1164]

What lbs line are you useing

[@shiroikin]

Best bait we got around here is sunfish or threadfin shad

[@josetellez1803]

Where ya at?

[@shiroikin]

@@josetellez1803 central texas just south of austin

[@josetellez1803]

@@shiroikin same here in okc. Winter gets hard to find sunfish of any kind and that's all the cats are biting on... Then vice versa in summer

[@shiroikin]

@@josetellez1803 yeah mostly just use chicken or chicken liver

[@shiroikin]

@@seedee652 sure all of texas but i'm not gonna sit there and hours just to catch something that's not normally in my water ways. I know what's in the waterways where I live and sunfish and threadfin shad are the biggest ones

[@dcmillwright]

Great video, how big do skipjack get. I've never caught one in NE oklahoma.

[@KayakCatfish]

World record is a little over 4lbs

[@duanemitchell4598]

@ dcmillwright. Head down to Lake Eufaula and fish below the dam. Best time to fish for them is when the hydro plant is running. The info for hydro plant ops can be found on the corpse of engineers website.

[@dcmillwright]

@@duanemitchell4598 thanks for the information , I live pretty close to lock & dam 18. I think I may have caught one 30 years ago fishing for sandbass. But at that time didn't know what the internet was, Lol

[@josetellez1803]

Im in okc and have never got the chance to go anywhere with skippies

[@jamesbelles2388]

I was watching your video an I was wondering,when the reel squeak like that does the sound travel through the line and scare catfish off?

[@KayakCatfish]

If my motor noise doesn’t scare them, my reel noise definitely isn’t going to have an effect.

[@jamesbelles2388]

@@KayakCatfish Thanks for letting me know

[@malcolmroberts2102]

Hey 👋 I watch your videos all the time you but I have a question I was hoping you can answer I always wanted to try SkipJack but where I live at we don't have SkipJack witchita ks but is there a way I can order this bait fish whole online anywhere?

[@KayakCatfish]

Im sure you can find a bait dealer who would ship them for an expensive fee. I would check your local laws first though. They may not be legal to use if they aren't native to your body of water.

[@daviddaigrepont9485]

How did you know where to find them?

[@teamnury2.094]

At what point in spring do the skipjack leave the creeks and you have to go to the dams to find them?

[@KayakCatfish]

Depends on where you live and the climate. Here in East Tennessee, they usually start showing up at the dams in good numbers around mid April.

[@joecompton140]

It has been tough here last couple days getting Skips from the bank. Weather I am sure is not helping. Any ideas where and when and I am close to Bull Run.

[@KayakCatfish]

All of the backwater creeks have been loaded lately

[@brittwazhere]

I know you don't like them channel cat but a fish is a fish brother good luck with that tournament I know a few of the guys that run that tournament I am in the kayak and cats Facebook group some good people and tough fisherman to beat if you come to Central KY and want to hit some spots look me up

[@shanesstilltalking]

Those skippys are hard to come by here in AR, but man when I catch em... THEY GONE. #catfishcandy

[@Dave-pj2mx]

Just a few seconds in an im curious where to look for skipjack?

[@KayakCatfish]

Creeks from fall through early spring. Dams and main channel from spring through summer

[@huntermitchell2942]

Hi

[@darrelllitherland8880]

how do you catch skippies in march on a river but mo boat im close to Evansville indiana on the Ohio river

[@KayakCatfish]

You can do the same thing I did in this video from the bank

[@darrelllitherland8880]

@@KayakCatfish yes sir i use my flies but this time of season there are none working the banks .. so was thinking you may have an idea lol

[@rigoporras8391]

How long can you keep bait frozen and it still be good to use?

[@KayakCatfish]

If it is vacuum sealed, it will last several months to a year. I just wrap mine in aluminum foil and they keep well for a few months

[@bonkerswilli]

What else do you try for bait, besides cut bait?

[@KayakCatfish]

Anything that swims

[@davidchappell1548]

"If it has scales, it's bait" 😀

[@JerettaKyArtist]

So intruing

[@timothyperkins9827]

I've never frozen baits! How do you freeze skipjack? Cut or whole?

[@KayakCatfish]

I freeze them whole

[@timothyperkins9827]

@@KayakCatfish thanks for replying! I've just gotten into cat fishing and I'm learning a lot from your videos!

[@timothyperkins9827]

@@KayakCatfish can I freeze bluegill the same way?

[@malcolmroberts2102]

And can tilapia whole fish be good cutbait?

[@KayakCatfish]

Never used it but Im sure it would work

[@ut000bs]

Now c'mon, Justin. That channel cat has whiskers and it's a fish so it counts. lol Even a little one, channel or flathead, gets the skunk out of the kayak. 😉🤭🙋‍♂️ That one was fat. You know, the video at the end was darker than normal but it was more than good enough. On a scale like from 1 to 10 how dark was it when you signed off with 10 being no moon, no see? I find that interesting.

[@KayakCatfish]

Yeah I was surprised the footage turned out that well considering how dark it was. On your scale I would say it was around 6 or 7

[@ut000bs]

@@KayakCatfish I can see why you were worried about us being able to see it. The camera did good.

[@aaronmyers7826]

👍👍

[@fishyz1500]

I just got me a new ultra light an medium rods..ugly stik gx2

[@bud-n-bobbers2233]

the squeak is better than a lawnmower

[@KretzOAR]

Did you get the motor fixed on your Autopilot?

[@KayakCatfish]

If you are talking about it tearing up 8 months ago, then yes it got replaced.

[@KretzOAR]

@@KayakCatfish I thought the directional keys on your remote control stopped working?

[@KayakCatfish]

My bad. I thought you were referring to the first time my motor tore up. The video where the directional keys stopped working hasn’t aired on KZbin yet. Old town is going to replace the motor again but I don’t know when it will arrive yet.

[@Face_Meat]

He gone. (into the cooler)

[@pressmaster1255]

That’s a hog of a channel cat!!

[@joshuarose8078]

I live in sc. and I really wanna try usin some skipjack as bait. So if you wanna freeze em and sell em let me know. I’ll gladly pay

[@KayakCatfish]

I’m not a bait dealer. Lots of shops around here sell them though.

[@myronhigh3527]

👍👍👍👍🤗🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@SH-os1ck]

Do folks eat this skipjack? They look yummy!

[@KayakCatfish]

I have heard they are nasty to eat but I’m sure some people do

[@AscentFinessed]

imagine youre tripled up on small channel cats while 2 jetskis and a pleasure boater make laps by you. What would justin do? LOl

[@KayakCatfish]

I would throw a channel cat at both jet skis and the pleasure boater lol

[@AscentFinessed]

@@KayakCatfish lol!! you're the best man i swear

[@cincinnatiking8008]

Sounds like that reel needs a little oil. I almost like the bait videos as much as the catfishing videos

[@kevinclemmons427]

The bait shop is open and the channel kitty's 🐈 are hungry lol biggest 1 I've seen ya catch