Baits

The one characteristic that is common to all coarse fish is their ability to feed by taste and smell. scavengers all, they are particularly adept at homing in on food from far greater distances than most freshwater fish. As such, virtually all of them feed extensively on bottom dwelling aquatic animals. Tiny mollusks and freshwater mussels, aquatic insects and insect larvae, crayfish, leeches, worms, fish, and fish eggs are popular foods. Most coarse fish generally will not hesitate to feast on algae and tender plants, too; only suckers seem disinterested in all but the juiciest aquatic vegetation.

To catch coarse fish, then, anglers should take advantage of their omnivorous appetites by offering bite-sized morsels of practically anything that gives off an attractive scent. And the most universally popular bait employed by fishermen across the country is the homemade doughball.

Although purists start from scratch with flour, most anglers are content to use slices of bread as the main ingredient of their doughball mixes. Several slices are crushed into a handkerchief or cloth and soaked in water then the excess water is squeezed out, leaving a sticky mush. The cloth is opened and just enough cornmeal is added and kneaded into the mixture to thicken it so it will hold its shape when balled onto a hook. Add scents in the preparation, such as anise, dill, cinnamon, cloves, cheese, almond, and vanilla. Prepare plenty; the doughballs eventually dissolve when submerged in water, and you'll have to re-bait often during the course of an afternoon and evening's jaunt.

Carp are especially fond of corn. If you crush corn kernels into your doughball mix, you'll almost double the bait's effectiveness. Sometimes, if you bait an area with whole kernels up to six hours before you fish it, one or two kernels by themselves on a hook will produce excellent results.

Stink baits are so popular for catfish that commercially prepared concoctions are big business in some midwest areas. You can make your own by storing chicken entrails and similar kitchen wastes in a tightly closed container somewhere in the far corner of your yard for a day or two. Dead minnows and worms are good choices, too. But keep the container downwind of you when you open it to bait your hooks; catfish are about the only creatures that can stomach the awful stench.

There is an old adage among ardent catfish anglers: if you want to catch a catfish, spit on your bait. No one knows why, but human saliva is a powerful attractor as far as catfish and bullheads are concerned. Scientists have found worms and liver to be the number one and two most popular tastes ... and human saliva is a surprising third. Ignore the stares of your fishing buddies the first time they see you spit on your bait. While you are busy reeling in your fish, you can bet they'll try it, too. Nothing succeeds like success!

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