How do you "cut" your cut bait?

[hallpatrickh]

I have used all the methods listed, and have found different things work better at different times.

[Flatheadhunter33]

Depends. Sometimes it seems as if the head attracts flatties more other parts...still though I try to use every peice.

[laidbck111]

I use them whole but I butterfly mine. Fillet one side from tail to head but leaving it attached flip it up and put the hook through the fillet and head.

[Mickey]

Depending on the size of the bait fish, I always use the head with part of the gut pocket, the center section with gut pocket, and sometimes part of the tail section, but I usually discard the tail. The head with gut pocket is usually the best part of all for me, with the center section running a close second.

I agree with Tommy on this. I have done it this way for years with good results.

[Baitkiller]

However THEY want it the most @ that time!!

:0a1:

[enfausen]

I usually use the shad whole. If it is a larger shad I will cut the tail and head off, and use the middle. Sometimes I fillet them and use that, but I seem to get a lot better results if the gut pocket is still attached.

[Kev-Man]

I just cut the rearfin off live baitfish and put the hook in it and have had big luck. I think that ole cat comes by and runs into that fish and knows it's hurt or something (distress maybe) and swallows it whole. When I reel in if the baitfish are dead then I use their head and guts.

[john catfish young]

Hey Jay,
That is a good question. How do you cut your bait? I have been targeting big fish for 20 years or so. I fish strickly with large bluegil, if fishing for flatties. I fish with bluegil heads and skipjack heads for big blues. If fishing for large winter time stripers, I fish with live skipjacks and heads. Just last tuesday, I caught a 47.9lb. bluecat on a bluegil head..... Thanks

[catchaser19]

Well it all depends on how big mu bait ia compared to how big the fish are that iam pursueing if the bait is huge i slice and dice till they are good sized for the fish iam fishing if they are small i will just slice the sides of the fish so the juices can ooze out a bit so to break it down i cater my cutting to the precise situation i am fishing

[LEROYDOZOIS]

I like using the head and the mid section for dead bait .but i like taking live bluegills and cutting the back tail fin off. puts off alot of blood and they seem to stay alive for a pretty good amount of time

this sounds pretty smart but i dont understand what some of you are saying

(tail like pushes the fish forward or tail fin like fin on top and bottem of the fish )