As for using large bait, these yo-yos aren’t designed for large catfish. Tie into a big one, and the yo-yo is toast. If you’re targeting bigger catfish, or blue cats in general, I would recommend using limb lines, jugs, or another method.


Yo-yos are excellent tools for catching sacalait (crappie), and it’s my opinion that they’re perfect for sacalait. They do work very well for catfish up to a few lbs, but if you start baiting with 4”+ live bream, you’re asking for broken gear.


Anyone that runs them should know that they work best when checked fairly often. At least twice a night if you can. If you ever run them on a brushpile-baited dock, you might as well stay with them, because if the crappie are there, you’re probably going to have your hands full keeping up. It’s common to hear ZZZZzzzZZZZ before you’ve even finished baiting all of your hooks.

I’m running some this winter, and I’m looking forward to it.

BigBob, I did forget to tag them as I was building them and had to go back and add tags, lol.

When I youtubed them last night, I saw they were catching crappie with them. I never would have thought that. But, that's even better. We live in great crappie area and they eat a lot better than nasty ol catfish!

My brand is Mechanical Fishing Co. If I like them and decide to order more I'll try the White's brand.

Thanks for the tips guys.

MDC outlawed them in a few areas in state. I guess they work well

So after a more thorough reading of our regs yesterday I realized that yoyos can only be left unattended here after dark until daylight. So I had to run back and pick them up at the break of day before Mr. Green Jeans found them and added them to his collection along with wolfdog's, lmao.

Anyways, I was getting pretty discouraged as the first 4 I checked were sprung, with the bait gone. But then on the fifth one I had something. The sixth was also sprung and empty. So one out of 6 ain't great but at least I didn't get skunked.

As for using large bait, these yo-yos aren’t designed for large catfish. Tie into a big one, and the yo-yo is toast. If you’re targeting bigger catfish, or blue cats in general, I would recommend using limb lines, jugs, or another method...

Big Bob it in the special regulations on some WMA. Shanks was one because at the time Duck Creek was having problems with regulation on them. Heck at shanks regulations were changed we could not not even take a limit of crawfish with a net. Had to hand grab or use hook and line. My supervisor did not want to impact the great blue heron population. Was ran through channels and was approved. So when I go to a new WMA I just read regulations and find outs the oks. This regulation was enacted back in the early 90 s and possibly they do not still apply. Have not been to the two area in years

If you need a hand , I'm game