I have been fishing anywhere i possibly can from ponds to lakes to rivers and creeks. I catch fish, but not very big. I live in Texas. I have tried every bait and rig i can think of. Can Somebody please Give me some new techniques or bait tipes to catch some big catfish? Id really appreciate it.
Covan Master

I've caught big channel cats jug lining and using live bluegill or sunfish as bait.  Just be sure to check your local regulations about jugging and about the use of bluegill and sunfish for bait, they tend to vary from place to place.  Another technique that I use for big cats is tightlining using the same bait as when I jug fish.  I use basically the same set up as I fish when I carolina rig.  I tie a swivel on the main line(I like to use 40-50 lb braid for the main line) then I tie on a 2-3ft leader(usually 25 lb mono) then a whisker sticker hook.  I fish saltwater in Florida a few times a year, and I had some saltwater circle hooks that I used last time I went catfishing, and they actually worked better than the whisker stickers.  I also have had good luck with some of the dip baits such as Doc's and Sonny's, but they may not be available everywhere. 

If you list out how/what you are currently doing it would help to identify if something you currently do isn't ideal, or if there is something additional you can do, without us simply throwing out suggestions of things you are already trying. 
Main thing for me is big bait = big fish 
Not saying a big cat won't bite small bait, but big bait will reduce the number of small cats eating it.

FOR CATFISHING I USE KROGER BRAND RAW SHRIMP, CUT BAIT ,LIVE BAIT,CHECKEN LIVERS,CHCKEN GIZARDS, NIGHT CRAWERS, HOT DOGS,NEVER HAD ANY LUCK USEING STORE BOGHT STINK.

                              MOOSE

LIFE MEMBER NOVEMBER 18-05

I primarily use the largest shiners I can buy or live bluegill if I want to take the time to catch them. Cut skipjack and shad are also great baits if you can catch them where you live. There is one local fellow that fishes the same water I do and he swears by chicken breast sliced into strips. The blue in my avitar is a 38 pounder I caught on a very large shiner. I don't use liver much anymore and stay away from stink baits due to the fact I mostly target blues and caught more channels on the liver and stink bait. If you woulod post more specific questions I'm sure we could get you some better answers. There are also other places on the internet with more specific answers for cat fishing try searching for catfisherman and one of the first few that comes up should get you some information. I would list the name here but don't know if that would violate some terms of use or something. If you want to send me a message I will send you the link.

Did you read that article on this sight about catching cats?  There are hundreds of good ideas in it,  & even more in the comments after the article.

Good Luck...