How to Make Free & Easy Homemade Fishing Bait

Nothing can be quite as relaxing as sitting by a quiet stream fishing on a lazy afternoon. There's nothing that can be more satisfying than reeling in a big rainbow trout on bait you made yourself with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Here is one easy way to whip up a dough bait that rainbow trout love.

Things You'll Need

  • 1/2 cup processed brick cheese (such as Velveeta)
  • 1/4 cup cornmeal
  • 1/4 cup bread crumbs
  • 1/2 tbsp. garlic powder
  • 3 drops anise extract
  • Glitter
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Instructions

  1. Create your bait

    • 1

      Soften processed brick cheese in the microwave oven for 30 seconds, until it is easy to work with. Mix in cornmeal and bread crumbs with a wooden spoon until thoroughly combined.

    • 2

      Sprinkle the dough with garlic powder. Stir in thoroughly. Add three drops of anise oil and mix in well. Trout love the scent and taste of both these flavors.

    • 3

      While trout are attracted to the color of the processed cheese, you may wish to give your dough a higher visual appeal. Divide the dough in half while still soft. Add three drops of green food coloring. Sprinkle lightly with glitter and mix well. Refrigerate for one hour or until lightly set. Using cutting motions, lightly combine the glittered dough into the processed cheese mixture just enough to create a swirling pattern.

    • 4

      Put the bait in a sealable plastic bag or a small airtight container and refrigerate until it's completely firm. This recipe may be frozen for up to three months prior to use.

    • 5

      Roll a small amount of dough and tamp it firmly onto your hook. Dough baits work especially well with cheese hooks, which are small treble hooks with a swirled center to help support the bait when fish strike hard. Unlike commercial baits, this bait does not float, so you may wish to use a bobber to suspend the bait six to twelve inches from the bottom.