Catfishing - Best bait to use in creeks?

Just curious of what baits would work best in creeks? I've noticed, I have pretty good luck using shad, and cut shad in rivers, but its a bit different in the creek I fish. I've been going to this particular stretch of water for several years, and never noticed any shad what so ever and it's said that you'll have better luck using natural food from the catfish's environment. So what should I use? Perch? Crayfish?