Catfish Bait Formula Rising From Fire

AUBURN – The Internet presence for Doc’s Catfish Bait says its famous “catfish getter dip bait” is out of stock due to fire, but Auburn’s Bryan Mellage is planning to change all of that.

Doc’s Catfish Bait was one of the oldest businesses in Parkersburg, Iowa, when its warehouse caught fire in May of 2018. Testimonials claimed the bait was like ringing the dinner bell for catfish, but the fire bell seemed to signal the end of a three-generation business that dates back to 1927.

Mellage, who began manufacturing the Mondocat fishing poles eight years ago, said he has been looking for ways to expand offerings to those who love fishing for catfish.

Mellage: “I started catching catfish with my grandpa when I was about four years old. It was an addiction that I’ve never got rid of. Catfish are very fun to catch.”

While struggling to keep up with demand for the fishing poles aimed at catching giant fish, he looked for ways to offer new products to his fellow catfish seekers. He said he hoped something new could rise from the ashes of the Parkersburg fire.

 

Mellage: “We purchased that company and also acquired permission to have Doc’s Catfish Bait owner, Bob Hosch, to come and give us the lessons that we’ll need to get going very quickly.”

Mellage said his family has also been in business since 1910 so he values Hosch’s 30-year experience and looks forward to understanding his tried-and-true formula and his way of doing business.

Mellage: “To create jobs and create new businesses and new business endeavors to make Auburn look more enticing to people who would like to move to a location. We think business and business opportunity is a big part of that equation.”

The Auburn City Council approved a $41,000 economic development loan to Mondocat to get manufacturing of Doc’s Catfish Bait going again.