Not a catfisherman... But soon to give it a whirl. The bass fishing has just been too slow lately, and the catfishing just looks like good times and predictable/ steady action.. Now here is the point of my question- I realize there is no better bait than siening for shad and using them, but, I know my luck so I want to have a plan "B" if I can't find the schools of shad. So.. What I am getting at is, does anyone know of a good artificial that does well pretty consistantly. I used to catfish a bit when I was younger, and the only thing that I ever really did well on was hot dogs, I don't think I would have much luck keeping that on a hook in the current that I will be fishing. I understand blugill cut 1/2 are also very good, I can catch the bluegills pretty steady right where I plan on fishing.
Does anyone have a go-to artificial that they suggest? I do know my rig is going to be a Carolina Style Rig.. Weighted 1-2 foot ahead of the lure so it can drift up/ around in the current. I plan on using a circle hook. Any suggestions appreciated.

If no shad id catch some bluegills and chunk em up. I've always had better luck with bluegill out there then the shad seemed to keep the smaller fish off

Cool, funny you said that. The guy that was seeeiiiilllaaaayyyiiinnn 'em last week was having to sift through some of the runts, (the shad were small) the runty channels- he had one (good blue or flat) pull one of his rods in the drink- it was a gonner, I guess if you are going to lose a rod you would rather it be that way than a car door or the Wife getting at it.. :)
I kind of have wondered about gettingjust one- that is all it would take, one silver or asian carp, chunking that up, you know, right there off the Kaskaskia at Baldwin Marsh.. They rhhheeeaalllyyy stink and are way oily- I would think they would slay them too.

The shad are pretty easy to come by in the winter at Baldwin. It usually only takes a couple of throws of the cast net by the levy and you will have lots of the small shad. I have never had much luck finding the bigger gizzard shad in the winter. Bring some wax worms and you can catch the bluegill and small channel cats to use for bait also. I have caught blues on the catfish filets. The problem with prepared baits out there is that it is hard to keep the small channels off of them.

I use peeled shrimp, five bucks a bag at Wally world and the fish love em' !!!

I have heard that before from others I will have to try that..

Also try filleting one of those numerous little channel cats that roam those waters. The blues can't get enough of it.

you should always use natural bait to the lake also the area of the lake your fishin big cats are smart if your fishin the channel edges at ballwin with any thing but 6to 8 in shad you can will catch but you really increase your chances with live 6to8 in shad ,just not a natural place for blue gills drifting the flats or bank line blue gill or blue gill parts work good shad parts are a good choice to .

calm days i drift the flats ,or channel edges,windy days the bank that is getting the wind .the biggest fish i catch are on the windy days boat controll is a whole other story still figuring that out.

My wife caught a catfish there once on a flatfish lure (Lazy Ike knock off). Surprised the heck out of me.

Nightcrawlers! Free under any old leaf litter patch or manure pile!

As AL gator said, stick to what's natural for the area. Channel and blue to good with cut shad or bluegill. If you're looking for bigger flatheads in the river, try using smaller live bluegill or even goldfish. The confectionary in Fayetteville sells them, at least last time I was there.

Edit: Yes, I am aware that the goldfish are not natural to really anywhere, but I have used with success in the river.

I have always loved fishing for catfish, and recently started fishing in Baldwin. I especially had fun the last time I was out there, about two weeks ago when I brought in a 30 pound flathead. What made it even more fun was my reel quit working when I began reeling in the line, had to bring it in all by hand!!! I have been dabbling in making my own bait. I am in law enforcement so obviously don't want to break the laws (not too fluent with the dnr laws). Are throw nets allowed at Baldwin? Can gizzards be used? One last, I heard, down by the hot water return, one is not allowed to cross the dried ditch to get to the road cuz if caught, a ticket can be issued....any truth to that? And if so, why?

The rules at Baldwin and what is actually enforced are two very different topics.. I can tell you I see guys throwing nets every time I go for bait. To stay in the good graces of the CPO- this is one lake where- if it is doubtful- don't do it.. The best go/ no go lake map I have seen is online on the webpage IDR I think-.. It has the best posting for hours etc- really the most helpful place I have found for reliable info on the lake. Leave yourself enough time in the winter to get off the lake and out of the park- I have heard they will lock you in and call the CPO to let you out.

Don't know what you mean by the dried ditch.. Over by the coal mine? There used to be a bouy at the mouth of that and you could not pass it- with no bouy there I fish it.. I have caught some nice bass back there on the big boulders that line the left side of the canal as you look back up into it- big spinnerbaits rolled past the boulders can be deadly in the cooler seasons. It gets really shallow very quickly though, so I have never had a reason to travel too far back in there.

Went out in the cold Sunday around noon. First time this year. Caught 7 blues in 2 hours. All of them in the 10-15lb range. No bigguns but the electronics were picking then up on the ledges. Good to see something is still alive in there. All released to be caught another day. Bluegill heads were the bait if choice.