There is no better satisfaction than catching your prize fish without hurting your pocket. Even though it is easier to simply buy your bait in the store, making homemade fish bait will save you money, but it will give you more pleasure knowing that you have caught that prize all by yourself from start to finish. If you wish to make things more interesting and save some money along the way, dive in with me and see some of the best homemade fish bait recipes.
How to make fish bait? Well, believe it or not, there is no simple answer for this either. And why would it be when we all know that fishing is a form of art that demands time, patience, and precision to bring ultimate prize and satisfaction. The same is for the ideal homemade fish bait recipe. Each fish has its preferences, and to know what to make at home, you need to understand your fish perfectly.
What Type of Fish Are You Trying to Catch?
Like you have to implement different types of fishing techniques to catch different fish, the same is with homemade baits. The homemade bait recipes will be different for saltwater and freshwater fish, as well as the types of fish you are trying to lure. Not only that you will have to know the feeding habits of the specific fish you are trying to catch, but for some saltwater fish, you will have to do some pre-baiting before.
Find Out Your Fish’s Specific Taste
For example, to catch grass carp, the bait might include sweet corn, oak leaves, fresh-cut grass, or watermelon, while if you wish to make catfish bite, you will have to use a bit of smellier ingredients such as garlic or cheese.
When it comes to saltwater fishing, you will also have to use different bait. For example, surf fishing will demand some live fish bait, like shrimps, squids, and more.
How to Make Homemade Fish Bait Dough?
Most anglers will tell you that the best bait for freshwater fish will be worms or lures that have the shapes of worms. You can find many great fake worms bait online like PLUSINNO Wacky Worm Fishing Lure Kit or Delong Lures 10″ Twister, or you can make homemade fish bait dough from them to resemble the fish worms or insects.
When making dough balls, the trick is to make balls with such consistency that will not disintegrate the minute they hit the water. Dough balls can be made out of different ingredients (corn, blueberries, bacon, cheese), but you can play around and add flavors you like to lure different fish. You can use artificial scents or flavors to add to your dough balls, like Baitmate Classic Scent Fish Attractant.
Just take some bread, flour, and corn flour and mix it with water, add the flavors you like, and form small balls. Once you have made balls, place them in boiling water for about a minute and then freeze them. This will prevent balls from evaporating the minute they hit the water. And once you tie the fish hook, you can place your bait on it and start fishing.
If making homemade dough is too much for you or you simply don’t have time, you can buy premade dough that attracts specific fish, like Berkley PowerBait Natural Glitter Trout Dough Fishing Bait, or to catch catfish, you can use Rusty’s Rustys Channel Catfish Dough Baits – Catfish.
Freshwater Homemade Fish Bait Can Be Made However Your Prey Like
Now that you have learned how to keep your dough balls from falling apart, I will show you a couple of different homemade recipes for different freshwater fish. You can play around with the mixture and add flavors you like. What I like to do before I start fishing is to do good research, especially if I am changing the hunting ground. I will first research what fishing style is the best, what kind of fishing reels to use, whether I will use a rod for lake fishing or maybe for fly fishing, and eventually, what kind of bait is the best.
I like to go to the fishing site and see what kind of habitat there is, and I will adjust my bait to be as similar as possible to that fish’s specific feeding habits.
Keep in mind that some states or even counties have different rules when it comes to fishing and bait, so make sure you learn all about that before you take your ugly stik 7 or st croix and your Piscifun Fishing Tackle Backpack and hit the road. Here are some recipes for the most popular fish:
Catfish
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup oatmeal
- 1/2 cup chicken livers, mashed
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
Instructions:
In a mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, and oatmeal.
In a separate bowl, mix the mashed chicken livers, water, sugar, and garlic powder until smooth.
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, stirring constantly until you have a dough-like consistency. Form the dough into small balls or patties.
Trout Bait Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 cup grated cheese
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
Instructions:
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, and grated cheese. Then in a separate bowl, mix the water, vegetable oil, and garlic powder until well blended. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, stirring constantly until you have a dough-like consistency.
Carp
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 small box anise seed
- 3 cups white cornmeal
- 2 egg whites
- 1 cup cold water
Instructions:
Take a large mixing bowl and mix flour, sugar, and cornmeal. Beat the egg white and water into another bowl of water to get a smooth mixture, then add aniseed. Mix dry and wet ingredients and add flour or water if necessary to get a firm dough texture. Make dough balls and boil them in hot water for three minutes, then dry these balls and free them indefinitely.
Bass Bait Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup oatmeal
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Take one mixing bowl, and combine the cornmeal, flour, and oatmeal. In a separate bowl, mix the molasses, water, and extract of vanilla until well blended. Then gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, stirring constantly until you have a dough-like consistency. Form the dough into small balls or roll it into a log shape.
Saltwater Homemade Baits Fishing
Saltwater fishing is by far the most challenging, the prey you are trying to catch will be much bigger, more active, and difficult to get. However, by far, saltwater fishing for many anglers will be the most satisfying. To catch saltwater fish you will need to use live baits or fresh baits. In most cases, shrimps, smaller fish, and squids are used to catch bigger fish. The main rule is to use bait that the fish you are trying to catch likes to eat the most.
Some fishermen like to do something called pre-baiting or chumming the water. This method can be used to catch freshwater fish as well.
What Is Pre-baiting or Chumming the Water?
Chumming the water or pre-baiting is something fishermen do to attract the fish they are trying to catch. They use mixtures of various food to lure the fish into a particular area so the fish will bite their bait. Chums can be made of fresh ingredients like shrimp, fish, or other food that is the same or similar to the bait fisherman will use.
In some areas chumming the water is illegal, while somewhere is completely allowed. Make sure, when chumming the water, not to use too much fish or food because the fish will then have enough and will not be hungry to bite your bait.
Prebaiting Recipes – The Smellier the Better
There are thousands of ways you can chum the water, and the type of chum you will be using depends on the type of fish you are trying to catch. For example, to catch sharks, you will have to use bloody fish parts, while tuna will be thrilled with tuna or sardines and pinfish will come even for a slice of bread.
Many anglers use store-bought chums to chum the water. You can use Fishing Chum Snapper or Live Bait Chum Baitmaker – mix it with water and some menhaden oil and make balls the size of your fist and throw it in the water.
Best Homemade Fish Bait Recipe for Saltwater Fish
Chumming the water is not necessary to catch a saltwater fish, but it can help you a great deal. However, to hook a fish is to have good bait. Even though for most saltwater fish using live bait or smaller fish will be the best, you can also catch fish with saltwater homemade dough balls as well. Here are some of the most popular recipes.
| Shrimp Bait Recipe | Squid Bait Recipe | Mackerel Bait Recipe: | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | 1 cup ground shrimp1 cup flour1/2 cup cornmeal1/4 cup water1 tablespoon onion powder | 2 cups ground squid1 cup flour1/2 cup cornmeal1/4 cup water1 tablespoon garlic powder | 2 cups mashed mackerel1 cup flour1/2 cup cornmeal1/4 cup water1 tablespoon paprika |
| Instructions | In a mixing bowl, combine the ground shrimp, flour, and cornmeal. Gradually add the water, stirring constantly until you have a dough-like consistency. Mix in the onion powder. Form the dough into small balls or flatten it into a thin disc shape. | In a mixing bowl, combine the ground squid, flour, and cornmeal. Gradually add the water, stirring constantly until you have a dough-like consistency. Mix in the garlic powder. Form the dough into small balls or flatten it into a thin disc shape. | In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed mackerel, flour, and cornmeal. Gradually add the water, stirring constantly until you have a dough-like consistency. Mix in the paprika. Form the dough into small balls or roll it into a log shape. |
Choose Your Prey and You Are Good to Go!
I think I covered all the basics you need to know for you to make ideal homemade baits. As you can see, you can play around with the recipes and make your own mixture. In the end, you are the one that is most familiar with your local fishing areas, and with a bit of research and experience, you will find the perfect recipe for the fish you are catching. You can use whatever recipe you like the most, or you can simply purchase some of the products online. It is up to you. In my experience, patience is the key to success when it comes to fishing.
Daisy Wilson
Daisy is a fishing diva with an undeniable flair for the sport. From her perfectly coordinated fishing outfits to her impressive casting skills, she's the epitome of style and substance. Harper's dedication to fishing is matched only by her love for sharing her experiences with others. With her witty remarks and charming personality, she reels in her audience, leaving them hooked on her every word.
