No bait No Problem: How to Attract Fish Without Bait

Did you forget your bait at home, or you don’t have any on hand? Are you thinking of ways of how to attract the fish aside from using live baits? Well, the truth is, apart from alive baits and artificial lures – there are other ways of attracting fish. What are they? It’s what we’re going to talk about in this article.

If you don’t have bait, you can use sound, scent, and vibration to attract the fish. Most fish will still strike at any moving objects, or even on roughly right shape things. So, you can always improvise by using shiny, small, and gooey objects to fake a bait. You can also look for some food with a strong smell, small seeds, and even fruits near the water where the fish live.

In times when you can’t find a common bait, you can always improvise. Run your creativity and think of other ways how can you attract the fish by mimicking the best presentation of the fish’s prey. You can also try to lure them with their sense of smell. In this article, allow us to help you attract fish even without using baits. 

How to Make Fish Bait Without Worms?

Worms have been a consistent partner when it comes to fishing because they are excellent bait. Their gooey and slimy may look disgusting to other people, but it’s the best trap for most fish species. So, can you still do fishing without worms? Would it be sufficient to use other alternative baits when fishing? Yes, it is for as long as you know how to make fish baits without worms.

• STEP 1: Understand Your Fishing Conditions. Identify and understand the specific type of fish you want to catch because each of them has unique feeding habits and preferred prey. From analyzing these facts, you’ll have a better idea of how to make your bait without worms — creating a lure that has the same characteristics as worms can be highly effective for freshwater fishing. 
  • PRO TIP: Make sure to know the fishing restrictions on bait or lures because some local environmentalists prevent the use of it.
• STEP 2: Bear with the Season when Fishing in Freshwater. Understanding the temperature your target fish prefers when feeding will help you choose the appropriate bait. Usually, warm water fish feeds near the surface of the water. So, it often happens in high summer temperatures. On the other hand, warm water goes on top of the lake, going to the bottom during the spring season.
• STEP 3: Utilize Your Kitchen. Believe it or not, you can use different smelly food that you can find in your kitchen. It includes bits of bread with peanut butter, chicken, cheese, processed meats, and alike. However, you may want to prevent using salmon as your bait as it can promote the spread of a disease called the “whirling disease.” It is a parasite that is capable of killing various fish species.
• STEP 4: Match the Hatch. It means that you have to use bait that the fish already eat or mimic what they’re already eating. Using this concept, you’ll be able to catch more fish, regardless of their species. The expression “Match the Hatch” came from the various attempts from a fly-fisherman to imitate the insects is some areas with the use of artificial imitations to attract the fish.
• STEP 5: Try Using Artificial Lures. If you don’t want to dig into your kitchen, well, you can always be safe when using artificial lures. It includes spoons, jigs, spinners, and other lifelike plastic artificial lures. Just make sure that it can effectively mimic the movements of the fish’s prey. Then, choose a size that fits the fish’s mouth.
• STEP 6: Attach it to Your Hook and Start Casting. Once you have your innovative bait, you can now go and start casting. Wait for some time until a fish gets attracted to your improvised bait.

What are Some Baits that You Can Do at Home?

Baits don’t have to be worms or minnows at all times. When you have some extra pieces of hotdogs in your kitchen, believe it or not, it will still work. Fishing shouldn’t be expensive. All you have to do is to be creative on your baits to save some of your money. If you’re still looking for some alternative baits, here’s a list that you can try at the convenience of your home.

1. SOAP. Yes, you read it right. Chunks of soap are one of the “traditional” baits in centuries, especially for reeling in catfish. However, make sure to pick pure soap without any scent or chemical on its content. Then, slice a 1-inch piece of the natural and organic solvent. Thread it onto your hook, and you can start fishing. Soaps work best for trotlines. Plus, they can stay longer underwater.
2. CANNED MEAT. This bait is widely available anywhere and everywhere. Canned Meats are best for catching catfish. Did you know that a fisherman captured the biggest blue catfish weighing at 116-pound, 12-ounce using canned meat in 2001? Who knows you can get more significant than that.
3. CHICKEN LIVER. This bait is worth giving a try because of the smell, which makes it attractive and appealing to catfish as well as hybrid and freshwater striped bass.
4. RAISINS. During the summer months, dried grapes are ideal to use because they swell on the hooks and begin to ferment. Its smell and bright color make them attractive for most catfish and other carps. Aside from raisins, you can also use other fruit baits like persimmons and mulberries.
5. MARSHMALLOWS. Small marshmallows are effective in catching trout, bluegill, and some species of sunfish.
6. HOTDOGS. A piece of left hotdogs from your breakfast would also make excellent bait. They are appealing to fish because they have a resemblance to surface plug lures.
7. BACON. We are not the only ones who enjoy eating bacon. Some say that hickory-smoked bacon is the best option to pick, while others would say that raw bacon gives the best results. Slices of bacon have a combination of meat’s pungent smell and fatty oils, which are attractive to different fish species like bluegills, crappies, and catfish.
8. CHEESE. There are different kinds of cheese, and any of them would work just fine. It can be cheddar, Limburger, or process. Then, you can form it into small pieces of balls to catch trout and catfish.
9. PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICHES. Pack some extra peanut butter sandwiches from your snack as your bait. Most experienced fishermen say that this kind of home-made lure is excellent for catching codfish, catfish, carp, and bluegill.
10. GREEN APPLE BUBBLE GUM. This gum has a strong flavor that can instantly attract fish. Plus, they are so convenient to use and transport. Start by chewing it for a little bit to release the flavor. Then, attach it to either treble or circle hooks for the best results.
11. CANNED CORN. This kind of bait is best to use if you’re going to catch trout, carp, bluegill, and perch. More specifically, rainbow trout is more susceptible to corn bait. Sure, you’ll be a sure winner with this one.
12. SPOILED SHRIMP. Got a bag of lousy shrimp in your fridge? No problem. Don’t let it go to waste because you can use it as a bait. Consider it as a delightful choice in the underwater buffet because of its smelly scent.
13. GARLIC CHICKEN SKIN. The combination of greasy skin of the chicken and the smell of garlic cloves is a feast for any species of fish. It works well in catching any size of carp, and it stays well on the hook. Soak the chicken skin overnight in garlic to intensify the flavor. 
14. CUBES OF SPAM. Like bacon, SPAM also works well as bait. It is full of oils that attract fish and some extra flavor and scent for attracting almost any kind of fish. It can be hard to keep it on the hook, though. So, make sure to check it frequently. 
15. CEREAL FLAKES. Crush some of your favorite breakfast cereals, add a little amount of water, and shape it into small balls. Fit them around your fishing hook, and make sure that it would fit well. You can also use red soda instead of water to attract more fish.
16. USE NATIVE PREY. Did you know that you can also use other insects as your bait? If you can’t find anything to use in your kitchen, try some of these native prey.
    • Small Grasshoppers or Crickets. These are safe to use for catching freshwater fish species. Hooke them through their back, then suspend it with a couple of feet below a bobber.
    • Snails, Leeches, and Other Aquatic Invertebrates. These native preys are useful for catching walleye, sauger, panfish, sunfish, and trout. You can easily find them in some areas where you’re going to fish. 

What are the Different Types of Lures For Fishing

If you can’t use baits on your next fishing reels, it’s always safe to use artificial lures. They refer to the type of artificial bait for catching fish. There are different plastic lures that you can find in a fishing shop. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors – and each type can attract a specific range of species. So we’ll help you pick some of the best for your next adventure.

• Why Use Artificial Lures? There are many reasons why you should use fishing lures. First, they enable you to further so that you can cover more water and less messy to use. It is because fishing lures are especially for catching and releasing so that you can find more specific species of fish. Also, they allow 

• Disadvantages of Using Artificial Lures. Compared to baits, artificial lures are more expensive. Also, it is more prone to having snags on underwater obstacles or in trees.

• What are the Best Fishing Lures for Saltwater Fishing? Here are some artificial lures that you can use if you’re into catching fish in saltwater.
  • Paddletail Soft Plastic. These are one of the most versatile artificial lures for saltwater fishing. They can draw strikes from almost all predator fish that feed on smaller baitfish. Paddletail Soft Plastic features a soft tail that generates impressive motions whenever you retrieve through the water. This action will allow the artificial fishing lure to get strikes even with a straight retrieve.
  • Gold Spoon. This artificial lure is a must for most inshore saltwater anglers. If you’re into this activity, make sure that you have a Gold Spoon in your tackle box. The ‘spoon’ comes in various shapes, colors, and styles. Some of them come with weedless spoons, others have single hook spoons, while some have treble hooks spoons. Regardless of Gold Spoon’s variety, you can find it useful in catching saltwater fish.
  • Berkley Gulp Shrimp. You can use this type of artificial fishing lure to any situations like fishing the grass flats and jigging in deeper water. Berkley Gulp Shrimp also come in different colors that you can match according to the hue of the water where you’ll catch fish.
  • White Bucktail. It comes in all kinds of crazy colors and crazy flairs. You can catch snook, redfish, speckled trout, and even tarpon using White Bucktail.
  • Topwater Lure or Popper. It is one of the most favorite artificial lures by saltwater anglers. You can never go wrong using it. Topwater Lure or Poppers also come in different sizes, shapes, and colors. 
  • Soft Plastic Fluke or Jerkbait. This type of artificial fishing lure can attract any species almost anywhere. It’s indeed one of the most high-performing artificial lures for both freshwater and saltwater. Soft Plastic Fluke or Jerkbaits are incredible whether you fish close to its top, or put a weighted hook.
  • Fluctuating Spoon. This artificial lure is common for saltwater fishing because it can simulate the movements of a prey fish. So, it can attract predatory fish. Fluctuating Spoon comes in various weights and sizes. You can achieve greater success in using these artificial fishing lures regardless of the fish species and water circumstances.

• What are the Best Fishing Lures for Freshwater Fishing? On the other hand, using these artificial lures on your next fishing trip on freshwater will give you the best catching rate.
  • Rattle Baits. These artificial fishing lures work well in catching bass fish throughout the year, and even in cold weather. One of the most accurate techniques in using it for catching bass is fishing just above the tops of weed beds. Match it with a slower retrieve to keep Rattle baits from vibrating, which may be bad for any species because they can feel it.
  • Plastic Worms. One of the most popular artificial lures for freshwater. Plastic worms can perform well in various configurations and different circumstances. They come in different forms like wacky-style, drop-shot style, or nose-hooked. As always, you must pick according to the fish species that you want to catch. The best way to use Plastic Worms is to make it appear to be a dying baitfish. Then, make it look like a smaller minnow.
  • Spinner Baits. These artificial lures will give you great versatility through its number of blades used, blade type, finish, and configuration. Not to mention that Spinner Baits also have different types of skirts that come in various colors. You can use safety-pin-style Spinner Baits with heads to weigh it an ounce or two. This method will allow you to slow-roll the lure along the bottom of the water, even in cold weather.
  • Jigs. They will catch almost any fish species because they have the proper size, and can mimic a prey very well. You can trim it will all sorts of fish-attractive trailers and insert into a plastic worm and grub, which makes Jigs deadly. Jigs can represent a minnow, insect, or crawfish to predators depending on how you dress it in a skirt.
    • Standard jigs bounce and crawl along the bottom of the water.
    • Plastic-dressed jigs can cast and retrieve steadily without any twitches and even pauses. They can make a deadly presentation of bass, pike, and muskies. 
    • Tiny jigs drift beneath the float take trout and panfish.
  • Minnow Baits. These are very versatile and work for any species of fish that often eats other fish. Minnow Baits are hard-plastic lures that you can twitch along on top of the water. You can also jerk it to dive forward under the surface, or reel it steadily with occasional twitches so that it can trigger reaction strikes. You can also add weight to the bodies of Minnow Baits so that they can sink slowly or suspend them at a certain depth. This action will help you catch more fish because you can level the fishing lure at their level.

How Can You Increase Your Fishing Success by Understanding Fish Senses?

When you understand your target fish, you’ll have a better chance of catching it. For example, it would be easier for you to pick the right bait or artificial lure if you know that the fish find food through their sense of smell. To be more efficient in catching fish, here are some general tips regarding the fish’s feelings.

• General Tips for Fish’s Sense.
  • You should create little disturbances as possible as you try to approach the fish.
  • Avoid running, stomping, and banging your tackle box on the flooring of the boat or the shore.
  • Keep your profile low so that you will not spook the fish. Your shadow can also be visible by the fish, so you can kneel or sit while waiting for a bite.
  • Keep your shadow off the water as much as possible. 

• Understand the Fish Senses. All fish have senses, and you should be aware of that. Just like humans, they have a sense of sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste, and some bonus sense that people don’t have. 
  • Sense of Sight. Fish can see and don’t underestimate them because they have an impressive vision. However, they have different eyes compared to ours. Fish have lenses that are perfectly round so that they can see clearly under the water. Meanwhile, most freshwater fish have no eyelids so that they can regulate the amount of light that enters their eyes. Many fish species can see different colors, but they don’t know its name. 
    • Why Fish Have Eyes on the Side of Their Head? The placement of a fish’s eyes that is on each side of the head allows them to see on both sides at the same time. However, the location of their eyes creates a blind spot, which makes it hard for them to see what’s in front of them. 
    • Can Fish See People? Since fish have an excellent vision, your presence will spook them. It is because fish can see above water through a circular window on the surface of the water. This window is a result of bend light rays that enter the water. So, if you can see the fish, they could see you as well. Therefore, it is essential to keep your profile low when you’re near the fish.
  • Lateral Line. It is a thin canal that runs horizontally along the side of a fish – starting from the head to the tail on both sides of the fish’s body. Lateral lines associate sensory organs by allowing the fish to sense changes in temperature, pressure, and even hear or feel the vibration in the water. So, fish can still determine the location, speed, and size of objects, even in dark or muddy water.
  • Sense of Smell. Yes, fish can also smell through their nostrils called “nares.” It is at the snout of the fish to help them detect odors in the water, locate their prey, predators, and protect themselves even from afar. Different fish species have an excellent sense of smell, and some of them rely on it to find food. However, the intensity and effectivity of their scent depend on the strength and direction of the current.
  • Sense of Taste. Fish can taste through their taste buds along with the head and side of their bodies. However, this sense doesn’t seem to be essential for most freshwater gamefish. Some fish species have a poor taste, so they rely on their other feelings to find food.

How to Attract Fish?

Now that you know that fish have different senses, you can use it to your advantage to attract fish. If you’re still unsure, here are some tips that you can try to use their sensory organs to lure fish into biting on your bait.

1. Vision. Fish can see, so as much as possible, you want an artificial lure that would match the color of the water. You need it less noticeable and make the perfect representation of the fish’s prey. You also have to consider that the water absorbs light, and the amount of light decreases as it descends more in-depth into the water. As a result, the color of the artificial lure changes.
2. Hearing. Otoliths are the hearing organs of the fish, which are inside of their heads. Fish living in highly structured habitats like reefs and rocky bottoms have larger otoliths compared to those who reside in the open ocean. Generally, fish species that have more massive otoliths have a better sense of hearing. So, the vibrations from the sound waves pass through the water faster to them. In this case, you have to be careful in dropping your artificial lure and making noises. 
3. Smell. It is well known that salmons have an excellent sense of smell because they can detect chemicals to the streams. So, it enables them to feed on more varieties of food. Fish species that have a strong sense of smell can target a wide range of baits, knowing that they contain the essential nutrients they need. It is the reason why preparing ground bait before catching your target fish can be very much useful. 
4. The Direction of the Pressure. The lateral line of the fish is responsible for detecting vibrations as well as pressure changes in their nearby location. This event helps the fish form a school to maintain its relative position. Also, it is beneficial in their orientation and procuring food. In this case, you can take it to your advantage to target more fish species.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How Do Fish React to Sound?

Fish can feel movements, water pressure changes, and vibrations with the help of a system of lateral lines attached to their bodies. Every fish reacts differently to those changes, depending on their size and weight. So, some fishers tap a long-handled object on the bottom of the boat to produce vibrations and attract fish.

How Do You Attract Fish to Bait?

Both alive and dead bait is the best choice for many anglers because of their looks and smell. To attract fish, you can use natural baits such as shrimp and insects – aside from worms.

Are Fish Attracted to Vibrations?

Research showed that fish are also affected by sound and vibration that artificial lures usually emit. The sensory receptors in the fish can pick up these vibrations, so they would end up biting on your bait.

Final Words

If you don’t have bait, it’s not a problem. Go to your kitchen, and you can find some alternatives. You can even use some native prey as a replacement to your worms or minnows. Better yet, you can use the sound and vibration of the artificial lures to attract the fish. Always remember that most fish will still strike at any moving objects, or even on roughly right shape things. Therefore, don’t be afraid to improvise and create something that is also gooey.