re: Goldfish for Bait

After thinking about it more, I think you're really overthinking catfishing. Net some gizzard shad (or skipjack on a sabiki rig if they have them in your location). Keep them in a good bait tank or on ice. They're a time tested way to catch blues. If you're targeting flatheads, catch bluegill or get one of those bluegill traps.

I never buy any type of bait at a bait shop. If I go catfishing on a whim and have limited time, chicken breasts from any grocery store are a great bait for blues.

When I'm targeting big blues from October to January, I drift/drag baits. A planer board on each side of the boat to get a good spread, the third rod straight out the back dragging and 4th rod suspended straight out the back about 2 cranks off the bottom.

A drift sock helps with keeping the back of the boat from swing around from wind and current and helps you maintain a good, long drift in the depth and area you're targeting.