you will catch the channels and blues on cut bait. the shovels prefer real lively bait. no froze cut bait. fresh is always the best, and keep freshening up what u have on the hook. i kot all the fish in the big lake. on really lively bait. if my bait wasnt pulling my float around, i put on a new piece. i kot them on big gills, shad and yellowbellys.