Fishing Bait and Lures - Permaculture Edition

There are a lot of products out on the market targeting those who fish. Gadgets, gizmos, do-dads and more are out there for every imaginable purpose. Some things sparkle, some things are scented, some things are made from who knows what. I'm hoping to avoid all of that and minimize the 'things' that I need to have a successful trip fishing.

The first thing that comes to mind for fishing bait has to be worms.

Worms for Fish Bait

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Nightcrawlers, mealworms, super worms, wax worms, red wigglers, blood worms, ect ect.

Worms were the first fish bait I have ever tried when I was a young man. I remember getting a small container of nightcrawlers from a gas station fridge for a trip my grandfather was taking me on. They are a tried and true bait that can be found right in your backyard. Imagine harvesting a few worms from a successful vermicompost system in order to put food on your table? I think that would be pretty neat. Imagine picking off a bunch of hornworms that have been plaguing your tomato patch and using them to catch the nights fish dinner.

It is a simple as placing the worm (or piece of) onto a hook to be utilized effectively. Worms are an effective bait for an array of both freshwater and saltwater species.

Special Highlight

A unique worm (caterpillar?) species that has seen particular attention from the fishing community are catalpa worms. Catalpa worms are a worm found exclusively on catalpa trees in the eastern North America. I've read about folks who will collect them in the summer and freeze to utilize over the rest of the year.

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Catalpa Worms

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Dough Ball Bait

Some old timers swear by buying the cheapest white bread them can find. They would pinch off pieces and roll them up tight to put on their hooks. Instead of relying on going to a bakery, we can simply make them ourselves at home.

A dough ball recipe is as simple as some flour wetted enough to form into a small ball. These can be made quickly and in mass. They could easily be customized with different ingredients to make them more attractive to whatever species of fish you are looking to attract. I'm planning on trying poly-dough out if I have any extra on hand next time I make a batch.

I have heard that if you drop them into boiling water for one minute, they will stay together better on the hook.

I don't see grasshopper or cricket there.

Then there are artificial lures.

As requested...

Crickets/Grasshopper

Grasshopper vs Cricket

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Crickets and grasshoppers are a natural prey item for fish, so using them as a bait is an easy choice. I know of some folks who raise their own colony of crickets due to the success they have catching fish. No need to go to those lengths however, you can easily capture some outside or go to a bait shop for the convenience. While I would most likely fish for Panfish using crickets and grasshoppers, people can have success targeting bass, catfish, trout and more.

Another possible source of crickets are pet shops who cater to reptiles. They usually sell crickets for lizards and snakes to eat.

I think the easiest way a person can catch grasshoppers, and perhaps crickets, is utilizing a net. Once you understand how they hop around, you can intercept them pretty efficiently.

What out there doesn't like the taste of corn? Corn makes great fish bait and it is simple to use!

Corn on a Hook

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A cheap bait from the supermarket, a can of corn provides more than enough bait for a fishing trip. With a touch more effort, you can make fishing ready corn bait from dried corn that you might have on hand at home. Soak your grain corn under water for about a day. Boil that corn in a pot for half and hour and then allow to cool. The corn will now be soft enough to go on a hook and you are ready to fish.

I'm tempted when processing corn for canning to fill up small jelly jars with corn for the sole purpose of handy fish bait containers.

Another way to get crickets and grasshoppers is with a kid.

That is the way my dad got them and I was the kid.

A classic catfish bait, chicken hearts and liver are hard to beat.

Chicken Offal for Bait

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I may not eat offal, but I do eat fish so being able to utilize the organ meat for something is great. It is reported that the offal has a strong scent that draws in the fish to it.

My understanding is that you can attach it to your hook directly, place it in a rigged up pouch off the hook, or even tie it to your hook. Some folks 'cure' the livers in salt to allow them to hold up better on a fishing line.

Other than the corn, I've used all the above and a whole lot more. When I was a little kid, I didn't have the patience to fish, but I liked to play around the water.  I got very good at capturing things, live locusts, live dragon flies, crawfish, little frogs and snakes. I also made thing out of sticks, blades of grass even little rocks. My dad and brother didn't have to mess with bait, they had me, and they always caught fish.  

Now I just use worms from the garden or for catfish, a chicken liver or piece of hot dog tied up in bits of an old sock or T shirt so it's harder for a fish to steal it.

What about clams and mussels? They can be an effective bait if you can get your hands on them.

Clam Bait

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A bait that can be sourced right from the shore, clams and mussels are another bait that can easily be acquired. I have been told that after shucking, it is wise to let the 'meat' sit out in the sun for a time to harden up so that it will stay on the hook better. I only utilize this bait if it is found at the site that I am fishing.

A fun, customizable bait that can be made in a Permie-friendly manner are fishing flies.



You can gather plenty of materials from the homestead to create fishing flies. Animal feathers, fur, and fiber can all be utilized when creating new lures. While these lures are used on fly fishing rods generally, they can be utilized with other styles of fishing successfully. Fly tying is known back into the 1800s but there is evidence that it goes all the way back to around 200 AD. Flies are neat because you don't have to utilize a bait that can spoil but rather you create an artificial one. You take a hook and dress-it-up to make it look attractive to the fish you are targeting. There are an incredible amount of variation when it comes to flies.