When it comes to catfish bait, the worse it smells, the better fishermen believe it is. Catfish have an unbelievable sense of smell, so the 'smellier' the bait the more it drives the catfish crazy. Catfish bait is available in sporting stores, but it is also cheap to make at home. Whether the catfish bait is dough ball or soap based, once a catfish fisherman finds 'his' perfect bait, it will be the 'stinky' stuff of which legends are made.
Instructions
Make Dough Ball Bait
1. Choose a base that will hold its shape and stick to the hook for a dough ball bait base. Common base choices include uncooked oatmeal, baking flour, corn flakes, wheat flakes, white bread, pre-made dough, peanut butter or cookie dough.
2. Mix the dough base with 'scented' additions in a bucket to increase its appeal to catfish. Some common 'scent' additions are ground meat (beef, sausage, chicken liver, bologna, potted meat or cheap dog or cat food), naturally smelly cheese like Limburger or rotten cheese, garlic salt, garlic powder, anise oil extract, bacon bits or fish pellets. Add water as needed.
3. Experiment with a few ingredients at a time to determine what ingredient combinations work best.
4. Form the mixture into 1-inch round balls.
5. Place the dough balls into a sealable container or zipper storage bags. To add more appeal, pour juice from tuna or canned corn over the formed dough balls.
6. Dry ball bait in sun until they are tough enough to stay on the hook. Use a hair dryer to dry out the balls when time is limited. To use as bait, mold the catfish bait ball around the hook and cast it into the water.
Make Lye-Soap Bait
7. Pour lye into water in plastic bucket or container. Stir to dissolve while adding lye to water.
8. Let the lye water sit until it's room temperature.
9. Melt the animal fat in a glass container on the stove. Once melted, let it cool until it reaches 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
10. Dispense the lye water slowly into the melted fat with a wooden spoon. Stir the mixture until it thickens to the consistency of pudding. Continue mixing for up to an hour.
11. Add anise extract, garlic salt, garlic powder or other additives for increased "stink appeal."
12. Transfer the mixture into glass bowls or soap molds.
13. Leave the catfish bait soap to dry for about 3 to 4 days until it hardens.
Tags: anise extract, catfish bait, catfish bait, dough ball, dough balls, garlic powder, garlic salt