How to Make Catfish Bait With Wine

Large catfish may go for chicken chunks larger than 1 to 2 inches.

When searching for food, catfish don't eat with their eyes, but follow scents instead. Some catfish fishermen opt to make their own scents to use for catfish bait. One method is using wine to scent the bait you intend to use for catfish fishing. Learning the steps to making your own smelly catfish bait, utilizing the potent scent of wine, can help you get that next big catch, using your own homemade bait.

Things You'll Need

• 1 1/2 lbs. of chicken cutlets
• Chopping board
• Knife
• Dishwashing soap
• Warm water
• 3 1/2 cups of elderberry wine
• 1 medium-sized plastic bag
• 1 large plastic bag
• Plastic container

Instructions

1. Cut up your chicken cutlets using a sanitary chopping board and knife. Cut cubes about 1 to 2 inches big. You may alter the size of your pieces based on the size of the catfish in the area you plan to fish, as some may be attracted to larger or smaller pieces.

2. Place the pieces of chicken you chopped into a sealable plastic bag. Wash chopping board and knife with dishwashing soap and warm water, and ensure you wash your hands as well to remove any germs from the raw chicken.

3. Pour in 3 1/2 cups of elderberry wine with your chicken, seal the bag up and place it into a larger sealable plastic bag, to prevent spills during the mixing process. Seal the second bag and rigorously shake up your chicken and wine.

4. Place your double-bagged chicken and wine mixture in a larger plastic storage container and seal container. Place container in your refrigerator and let it sit for three to four days, then remove and take on your next fishing trip to use as bait.

Tips & Warnings

• To avoid staining or stinking up your hands, it may be best to use protective gloves when hooking bait onto your fishing hooks.

• You can also try this method with chicken livers or tenderized pieces of pork as well, just ensure you cut up pork small enough.

• Make sure you clean all areas that have come in contact with the raw chicken, including knives, countertops, chopping boards and yourself. Raw chicken can leave behind harmful germs, and should always be handled with attention and care.

References

• Trails: How to Make Catfish Bait With Wine