Is it permissible to fish for catfish using dead, foul-smelling chicks as bait to attract them into fishing nets?

The fundamental principle is that all catch from the sea is permissible to eat, whether hunted by a Muslim or a non-believer, based on the Almighty's saying: "Permissible for you is the catch of the sea and its food" (Quran 5:96), and the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Its water is pure, and its dead are permissible." This permissibility is absolute, except for that which harms humans. If a catfish (al-qarmout) is confined to eating carrion, and its taste, color, or smell changes, it then falls under the ruling of al-jallalah. Al-jallalah refers to animals that feed on impurities, and it remains so until its meat becomes wholesome again. However, if its consumption of impurities is temporary or brief, and its meat does not change, then it is not considered jallalah and is not disliked for consumption, while feeding it impurities remains forbidden.