Favorite trotline bait

[justwannano]

I'm really just getting back into fishing.
Back when the kids were young ,me too, I ran 200 hooks on a special Iowa fishing licence in the Mississippi. It takes a lot of bait. It also takes lots more time running that many. Not a lot of time to check out new fishing spots.
Now, 15 years later, I decided to get the ol jon boat out ,install an electric start motor and get back into fishin. No more 200 hooks just some bank poles a trot line and rod and reel.I'm also not fishing the Mississippi as much. There are several good rivers here in SE Iowa that are pretty good for cats. Its kinda like starting from scratch though. Don't have the good spots picked out.

Back in those days I found that a 50 hook line would catch just as many cats with a small piece of night crawler on it as with a whole worm. Also, when the little ones strip your bait ,it don't cost so much.
I've done a lot of research on prepared baits, bought a couple of recipes and have twisted the arm of my wifes cousin to provide me with fresh shad.
I've considered raising rabbits again to raise earthworms under but don't think I can talk my wife into taking care of them
best of luck
just