Case: When I said your catfish bait stinks, that was a compliment

AP file photo by Stephen Lance Dennee / While many anglers seek catfish for eating, catching them can be a smelly situation due to the fact that bait for these fish is often putrid. AP file photo by Stephen Lance Dennee / While many anglers seek catfish for eating, catching them can be a smelly situation due to the fact that bait for these fish is often putrid.

By Larry Case July 20, 2025 5 min read

I figured Cedric, the editorial assistant, was enjoying his job way too much right now.

“Got that column ready, Mr. Case?” he sneered from the doorway of my expansive office (roughly the area of a medium-sized broom closet).

For this latest sword-crossing with Cedric, I figured the best defense was a good offense.

“Glad you asked, Cedric,” I responded. “I was just finishing this one up when I was interrupted with calls from the guys at Field & Stream and Outdoor Life, and you know how they go on!” Cedric knew this was probably a big fat fib, but I said it with such confidence that he was taken back a little.

“Ah, well, OK — just get it to me as fast as you can,” Cedric blurted before he skedaddled down the hall, papers flying.