I have a little "fishing tourny" coming up soon. A friend's boss hosts this little tourny every year to get all the channel cats out of his pond.
They have several stations set up, and every hour they blow a horn - and we switch to the next spot.

It's pretty fun, and they have 2 prizes:
$250 for most weight (put all the channel cat in a bucket and well..you get the idea)
$250 for biggest Channel cat (fish cannot be used in combination with the other contest)

Last year some guy won both. He was using chicken hearts and livers if I remember correctly.
We had worms, shrimp and stink bait....we came close to last, but were catching all morning. We stopped getting any bites as the day wore on.

So basically I want to know:
What is the best bait to use on Channel Cat?

ETA: what's the best method? How high to set the cork? Any tricks?

We aren't exactly seasoned fishermen here

chicken liver works great out here, I stick it on a treble hook and let it sit on the bottom

Some of the commercial fishermen around here use honey bees.

use a slip cork, set for the bottom of the pond..

use several rods..with several baits..
livers, red worms..etc..

Quoted: use a slip cork, set for the bottom of the pond.. use several rods..with several baits.. livers, red worms..etc..

AHhh... we are only allowed one pole in the water at a time per person.

My bro-in-law says crawfish are the way to go

can you run a multi hook crappie rig?  

I've always had my best luck w/ a treble and chicken livers....

Damn...how big is your boss' pond and how many entrants are there?

Quoted: can you run a multi hook crappie rig?

Yeah, one guy had some "rig" with several hooks. As long as you use one pole to cast it....seems to be ok.

Quoted: I've always had my best luck w/ a treble and chicken livers.... Damn...how big is your boss' pond and how many entrants are there?

It's big enough that you have to slightly yell to everyone when you have something to say. Does that give you an idea? LOL

entrants? I have no idea.

I heard little illegal Mexican kids work real well! You gotta thread them on the hook just right!

Originally Posted By John Parker: I heard little illegal Mexican kids work real well! You gotta thread them on the hook just right!

If he uses that, at least he won't run out of bait.

Quoted: Quoted: can you run a multi hook crappie rig?   Yeah, one guy had some "rig" with several hooks. As long as you use one pole to cast it....seems to be ok.

well then rig up one of those and put a few different types of bait on it, cant go wrong!

large night crawlers are your best bet.  I fish all the time and have had the best luck with them.  Treble hook will get you hung up alot if there is anything in the tank.  Also, there are catfish hooks that work the best that a angled to catch the cat in the corner of the mouth.  Check your local fishing section near the catfish bait.  Good Luck!