What's the best method for attracting catfish?

Try blood bait. I use two poles, one with blood bait and the other with shad, liver, or worm. From my experience the scent of the blood bait drives them crazy and they start biting. I don't know if they care what the weather is like.

I would like to add, if you haven't already, try switching to the red line and red hooks for fish cannot see the color red as well. If you fish during the day, that is.

Catfish will bite in most any weather especially at night. The best bait I've ever used for them is crawfish tails. You can catch crawfish in most any fresh water. Break the tail off and peel the shell off of it and fish it on the bottom.

take cheese normal craft cheese and roll it into balls let them sit for a day. chum, cat food, dog food, crawfish, or even just plain night crawlers can work to. Also my best catfishing comes from bobber fishing.

Chicken liver wrapped in pantyhose to keep it on the hook. Put a couple poles up with bells on and let them sit on the bottom. They can't resist it.

I just go to the edge of the water and call, "Here Kitty, Kitty," and they show up.

Sorry, I read your question and just had to say that. Good luck in getting lots of catfish.

the best method for attracting them would be chumming

maple syrup!