How to Make Garlic Fish Bait

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Garlic will give homemade fish bait that special odor known to attract catfish and carp to the hook. Use garlic in fresh or powdered form to turn a ball of bait dough or some chicken livers into what is commonly called stink bait. The strong odor of the garlic will quickly spread through the water once you drop in your line. Catfish and carp are notorious for cleaning a hook without getting caught. Dry your stink bait thoroughly before using it so it stays together when under attack.

Items you will need

  • Dough balls:

  • 5.5 oz canned cat food

  • 1/2 sleeve unsalted crackers

  • 2 tbsp minced fresh, powdered or granulated garlic

  • Mixing bowl

  • Wood spoon

  • Plastic wrap

  • Refrigerator

  • Baking sheet

  • Aluminum foil

  • Oven

  • Melon baller

  • Optional:

  • Pantyhose

  • Chicken livers:

  • 1/2 cup raw chicken livers

  • 2 cups water

  • 4 tbsp. minced fresh, powdered or granulated garlic

  • Saucepan

  • Stove

  • Strainer

  • Paper towels

Dough Balls

Pour a small can of cat food, the unsalted crackers and the garlic into a mixing bowl.

Crush the crackers into the cat food with a wooden spoon until all the ingredients form a solid paste.

Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for one hour.

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set the oven to 200 degrees.

Remove the chilled dough and use a melon baller to scoop out small spheres with a diameter the size of a dime. Place the balls at least an inch apart on the baking sheet and into the oven.

Bake the garlic dough balls for about an hour or until they are completely dry.

Secure the dried bait to the hook with extra fishing line or cut the toe from an old pair of pantyhose to create a mini purse to hold your bait.

Chicken Livers

Add raw chicken livers to water and garlic in a medium saucepan and heat over medium high until it reaches a rapid boil.

Pour the boiled livers and water through a strainer and allow the livers to cool.

Place the cooked chicken livers at least an inch apart on paper towels to dry in the sun for three hours. Make sure no cats have access to your livers while they dry.

Secure the dried liver to the hook with extra fishing line or cut the toe from an old pair of pantyhose to create a mini purse to hold your bait.

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