Best Bait at Home: Fast, Cheap & Reliable

Catching fish on homemade bait is one of the most rewarding types of fishing ever.

When you know fish just bit that little piece of bait you made with your hands, it makes you feel like a pro angler.

And if you’re looking to catch fish without breaking the bank, then making your own bait might just be what you need.

Dough baits are the most popular homemade bait. You just need a mixture of flour and cornmeal, water, and whatever scent you want to add to it. Garlic, cheese, fruits, there are countless options out there. Not to think about all the attractants in tackle shops…

Some more simple baits such as chicken liver with garlic and salt are very effective too. It’s particularly good for catching catfish and stripers.

In this article, I’ll cover some of the simplest and most effective baits you can make at home.  

I’ll also cover baits that you can buy directly from the grocery store and some that you can find in your backyard, so read on to unlock an essential skill for any angler: fish bait making.

Best Bait at Home

Get your kitchen ready, you gotta get cooking.

Dough Bait

Dough baits are simple, but they still require a little preparation. You can add every scent that might exist on the planet, and catch many species with it. In saltwater it gets more complicated, but there is a bait for that too.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of flour (approximately 120 grams)
• 1 cup of cornmeal (approximately 120 grams)
• 1-2 cups of boiling water (start with 1 cup and add more as needed)
• 1 tablespoon of sugar (approximately 12.5 grams)
• 1 (3-ounce) packet of flavored gelatin, such as strawberry for scent and color (optional)

How to Prepare:

1. In a bowl, mix the flour and cornmeal.
2. Bring the water to a boil and add the flavored gelatin, stirring until it’s completely dissolved.
3. Slowly add the flour and cornmeal mixture to the boiling water while stirring constantly.
4. Reduce the heat and continue to stir until the mixture forms a thick dough.
5. Remove from heat and let the dough cool.
6. Once cooled, knead the dough into a consistency that can be formed into balls that will stay on your hook.

Simple as that. You can swap the gelatin and sugar with garlic powder, a stronger-smelling cheese, or even add fruit juice. Swap 1/2 cup of water with any fruit juice and you’ll have a nice smelling sweet bait.

It catches carp, catfish, trout, and any related species. For trout you need a stronger colored bait, so consider adding some food coloring in there.

Fish Chum (saltwater bait)

While I haven’t seen dough baits catch fish in saltwater (unless you add fish parts and oils in there, which could work too), fish chum is one of the most popular bait out there.

It is also simple, but not as accessible to everyone. The ingredients tend to get a little more sophisticated, but you can get them from most grocery stores and tackle shops.

A simple recipe would be just ground fish, wet cat food, or any canned fish, and something like bread, oats, or anything that can give it texture.

Below is a more advanced recipe that will attract any fish in saltwater.

Ingredients:

• 1 can of wet cat food (tuna or seafood flavors work well)
• 1 cup of oats or bran (for added texture and substance)
• 1 cup of fish meal or ground fish (for a strong fish-attracting scent)
• 1/2 cup of menhaden oil or any fish oil (to disperse scent in the water)
• 1/2 cup of sand or sawdust (optional, helps to sink the chum)
• 1 can of sardines or mackerel (to add more fish scent and oils)
• 1/2 cup of water or saltwater (to help mix the ingredients)

Don’t restrict the water to 1/2 cup, just add until you feel like it has the right consistency.

Just like dough baits, fish chum can be modified and changed in any way you might like, but the base ingredients remain fish, oils, and binder.

Seasoned Liver

A favorite among catfish anglers, liver, whether plain or seasoned, can attract catfish from a mile away.

To add more scent in the water, there is one thing. Let the liver outside to rot in the sun, and then cast it into the water. It’s a nasty thing to deal with and harder to keep on the hook, but a nice catfish is worth it.

Now for the seasoned option, you need two more basic ingredients: garlic powder and salt.

Apply a generous amount of these and let it sit for a few hours, this time not in the sun, and you’ll get an additional scent to attract catfish.

Fruit Bait

If you’re looking for a sweet bait that’s easy to make, try using fruit.

Strawberries are a popular choice, but you can also use other types of fruit, such as peaches, apples, or pineapples.

To make fruit bait, simply mash up the fruit in a bowl and add enough sugar to create a sticky paste.

Store-Bought Baits

If you’re on a quick trip and don’t have time to make bait, I’ll show you the most popular baits you can get off the shelve.

Bread

The simplest bait out there is plain bread. If seasoning or scenting is available, even better.

A more processed bread like Wonder Bread works best, as it helps to stay more on the hook. The soft inside part can be turned into balls and the crust is good for casting just like it is.

Carp and trout are biting on it the most.

Sweet Corn

Another cheap classic bait, canned sweet corn works well, especially for carp.

Covering your hook with sweet corn makes it less intimidating for carp, so they’ll suck your bait faster. This tactic may be illegal in some states, though.

A good practice is to make a corn bed in the water you’re fishing in and cast your bait in there. It’s common among carp anglers, but if you’re new you might not know it.

Other Fruits & Vegetables

Catching fish on fruits & veggies never gets old. From time to time, swapping from boilies to a cherry tomato offers a unique experience.

Plain garlic on the hook has also plenty of scent and flash to it, especially in murky water.

Stronger-smelling fruits like strawberries, pineapples, and apricots work very well. When boilies are flavored with these fruits, why wouldn’t the real thing work?

Meats

Hot dogs and lunch meat are very effective in attracting catfish. Their strong scent makes them a good ready-bait for any channel or river you might fish in.

Liver, as discussed above, is perhaps more effective than spam and hot dogs, especially when seasoned with other things.

Cheese

A piece of American cheese can attract a lot of carp and catfish in the zone. Other types like blue cheese and cheddar are also very good.

Shrimp

Whether fresh or frozen, shrimp are a good saltwater bait that will catch any fish on piers and boats. Catfish will also bite on them.

Canned Sardines/Mackerel

The oil and scent from canned fish can attract predatory fish, not just in saltwater, but in freshwater too.

Backyard Baits

You’ll have to do some digging, but when no bait shop is around, what are you going to do?

Worms (Nightcrawlers and Earthworms)

Worms are the essential bait for freshwater fishing, attracting a wide range of fish, including bass, trout, and panfish. They are readily found in moist soil in your backyard, especially after rain.

Insects (Crickets and Grasshoppers)

These are excellent baits for panfish, trout, and bass. They are naturally occurring in larger grass and can be caught by hand or with a net.

Grubs and Larvae

These can be found by digging in compost or under logs. They are fatty, rich in protein, and attractive to many fish species, including bass and panfish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most effective homemade bait for catching fish?

One of the most effective homemade baits for catching fish is dough bait. You can make it by mixing flour, cornmeal, and water until it forms a dough-like consistency. Add some flavoring such as garlic powder or cheese to attract fish. Dough bait works well for catching carp, catfish, and panfish.

What are some alternatives to using worms for fishing bait?

If you don’t have worms, you can use other types of bait such as grubs, crickets, or grasshoppers. These are all effective baits for catching fish and can be found in your backyard. You can also use artificial baits such as lures or plastic worms.

What are the best types of bait for freshwater fishing?

The best types of bait for freshwater fishing depend on the type of fish you are trying to catch. For example, worms, leeches, and minnows are good baits for catching trout, bass, and panfish. Crayfish and nightcrawlers are also effective baits for freshwater fishing.

What bait is most effective for catching catfish?

The most effective bait for catching catfish is stink bait or chicken liver. These baits have a strong odor that attracts catfish. You can also use dough bait or shrimp as an alternative.

Which bait attracts the most fish?

The bait that attracts the most fish depends on the type of fish you are trying to catch. In general, baits that have a strong odor or mimic the movement of prey are effective in attracting fish. Worms, minnows, and shrimp are good baits for attracting a variety of fish.

What food items can be used as bait for fishing?

There are many food items that can be used as bait for fishing. Some examples include cheese, hot dogs, bread, and corn. These items can be used to make dough bait or added to a hook to attract fish. However, it’s important to check local regulations to make sure that using food as bait is allowed in your area.