How to Make Homemade Trout Bait

Trout favor the sharp flavor of garlic and cheese, which is why homemade dough balls on a hook can be deadly for catching this prized freshwater fish. Anyone can walk into a tackle store and buy a jar of salmon eggs or soft trout baits, but these homemade bait balls are just as effective and cost a fraction of the price. Make a batch in advance and freeze them before the next great adventure on the local trout stream.

Things You'll Need

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 lb. old cheese
• Microwaveable mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon
• Saucepan
• Slotted spoon
• Resealable plastic bags

Instructions

1. Place the old cheese in a bowl and scrape away any mold.

2. Microwave the cheese for 20 to 30 seconds until melted.

3. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until thoroughly blended into a dough.

4. Boil a saucepan of water.

5. Roll pieces of dough into balls about the size of a marble.

6. Drop 8 to 10 dough balls in the boiling water for 20 seconds, then fish them out with a slotted spoon and transfer to paper towels until dry.

7. Place the dough baits in a resealable plastic bag until ready for fishing and refrigerate for up to two weeks or freeze the baits for up to six months.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the dough balls on ice until ready to bait them. Cold baits will last longer on a hook.

• Check local regulations before using dough balls or any other type of natural bait. Only barbless hooks and artificial lures are allowed for fishing trout streams in some states.

References

• Trout Bait Recipe
• Techniques and Baits for Trout Fishing