The bait you should use for catfish depends on the species and target size. If you’re in a farm pond or small creek with smaller fish, consider using nightcrawlers, chicken livers, or some kind of stinkbait.  On bigger waters for larger blues and channels, cut shad works great. Fresh shad is best. The bloodier, oilier and guttier, the better. Cut into chunks or fillets. Use the gut sack by itself or on a hook with a fillet. If you use the head, step on it a little to get the juices running.  For big flatheads, cut bait is an option but live bait—bluegills or shad—is better. Clip a fin so the bait appears wounded and drop either of those into a flathead’s lair. Be sure to check state regulations for using live bait.