Randy Chandler
Cheese is a popular bait option for fishing, particularly for catching catfish, carp, and trout. Some anglers recommend using a mesh bag or pantyhose to contain the cheese and prevent it from falling off the hook or crumbling. Different types of cheese, such as Gouda, Swiss, and Velveeta, are suggested for fishing, with some anglers suggesting freezing the cheese to prevent it from melting too quickly. While cheese can be an effective bait, some anglers joke about its use, and it may be more or less successful depending on the season and the body of water being fished.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese as bait | Good for catfish, carp, barbel, perch, bass, trout, bullhead, suckers, possibly turtles |
| Types of cheese | Gouda, Swiss, Babybel, Cheddar, Velveeta, Dairylea triangles |
| Tips for use | Shredded, melted, frozen, wrapped in mesh, pantyhose or bait holder hooks |
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What You'll Learn
Types of cheese for fishing
Cheese is a popular bait for fishing, especially for attracting catfish, carp, and barbel. Its strong smell and flavour make it a particularly effective stinkbait for catfish. However, some anglers recommend "cheese bait" as a joke when they want to keep their techniques a secret.
When using cheese as bait, it is important to consider its texture and how it will stay on the hook. Softer cheeses like mozzarella tend to crumble and fall off the hook easily. Harder cheeses like Babybel, Edam, or Gouda are better options as they are less likely to crumble. However, one source suggests that the texture of Gouda should be firm but not too hard, and it should be free from seeds. Smoked Gouda is also not recommended.
To prevent the cheese from falling off the hook, some anglers recommend using a mesh bag or a hair rig. The hair is threaded through the cheese with a needle, ensuring that the cheese stays securely on the hook. Another technique is to shred the cheese, similar to squid bait. Anglers can also try melting the cheese slightly or using a bait holder hook designed for treble with a wire in the middle.
Some specific types of cheese commonly used for fishing include:
- Velveeta: This processed cheese product has been a popular choice for fishing bait, although it can be challenging to keep on the hook.
- Cheddar: This variety works for some species in Canada, according to one source.
- String cheese: Its stretchy texture can be shredded to create a unique presentation in the water.
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How to prepare cheese for fishing
Cheese is a great bait for fishing, especially for chub, carp, catfish, barbel, tench, and perch. It is easily obtainable and can be used all year round.
When preparing cheese for fishing, it is important to consider the type of cheese and how to attach it to the hook effectively. Any type of cheese can be used as bait, but strong-smelling cheeses such as Danish Blue or Blue Stilton are preferred. For firm cheeses like cheddar, break off a piece from the block and push the hook through, leaving the point of the hook exposed. Softer cheeses like Philadelphia can be mixed and moulded with bread or groundbait to form a paste, and flavoured with curry powder, paprika, or other seasonings. To prevent soft cheeses from falling off the hook, they can be frozen before use, wrapped in pantyhose, or placed in a mesh bag tied to the hook.
Gouda is another good option for fishing bait due to its texture, but it is recommended to avoid smoked gouda or varieties with seeds. When using gouda, cut it into small cubes and attach it to a hair rig, being gentle when casting. This method is similar to using meat as bait, and the hair is threaded through the cheese with a needle to prevent breakage.
For a unique presentation, string cheese can be shredded at one end to create dangling strings that mimic the appearance of a squid bait. Additionally, mesh bags, similar to those used for salmon egg sacs, can be filled with cheese, tied closed, and then attached to the hook.
When using cheese as bait, it is important to ensure that the hook point remains exposed, as cheese tends to harden in the water, making it more difficult to set the hook. By following these preparation techniques, anglers can effectively use cheese as a versatile and accessible fishing bait.
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Fish that are attracted to cheese
Cheese is a popular bait for freshwater fishing. Fish that are attracted to cheese include carp, catfish, bream, mullet, flathead, garfish, and tarwhine. One source suggests that gouda is a good option for bait because of its texture, although another source claims that gouda did not work for them. Cheddar is also said to work for some species in Canada.
There are various methods for rigging cheese as bait. Some people recommend shredding one end of a string cheese and jigging it like a squid bait. Another method is to cut the cheese into 1 cm cubes and thread them onto a hook, leaving the hook point and barb outside of the cube. If using a larger hook for bigger fish, you can put 1-3 cubes on the hook. One source recommends placing the cheese on a "hair" beneath the hook so that when the fish sucks in the cheese, the hook gets sucked in as well. To do this, the cheese is threaded with a needle to prevent it from breaking.
Some anglers use mesh bags to hold the cheese, tying it to the hook in the same way a roe sac is tied for salmon or steelhead. Another option is to ball up the cheese and melt it slightly. However, some anglers have reported that cheese crumbles or falls off the hook easily, so it may be better to start with a different type of bait, such as worms.
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Other types of bait
While cheese can be used as bait, it tends to crumble and fall off the hook. If you're new to fishing, it might be a good idea to try some other baits first.
Worms
Worms are a classic bait option and can be purchased in a variety of sizes. They can be used to catch walleye and panfish.
Bread
Fresh white bread, rolled into a doughy paste, has proven to be an effective bait for sunfish, catfish, common carp, and grass carp. Bread can be flavoured with Kool-Aid or garlic powder to increase its appeal.
Canned Corn
Canned corn is a versatile bait that can be used to catch both freshwater and saltwater fish, including carp, perch, roach, cod, trout, bream, and mullet. It can also be thrown into the water to attract fish.
Chicken Liver
Chicken liver is one of the best baits for catfish, but it can be challenging to keep it on the hook.
Dough
Dough can be flavoured with various scents and oils, such as tuna oil, garlic, or vanilla, to create a smelly bait that is ideal for low-visibility conditions when fish rely more on smell than sight.
Hot Dog Meat
Thin strips of hot dog meat have been known to catch redfin (English perch).
Crickets, Crayfish, Hellgrammites, Shrimp, Crabs, and Frogs
These natural food sources for fish can also be used as bait.
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Powerbait vs. homemade bait
Cheese is indeed a great bait for fishing, especially for carp, catfish, and barbel. It is often used as a "stinkbait" for catfish. However, using cheese as bait can be challenging as it tends to crumble or fall off the hook. To address this, anglers recommend using a short "hair" beneath the hook, threading the hair through the cheese with a needle to ensure it stays on. Some suggest using cheese cubes, similar to how meat is presented on the hair. Others recommend shredding string cheese to create dangling strings that can be jigged like a squid bait.
When it comes to Powerbait vs. homemade bait, both have their advantages. Powerbait, a commercially produced fishing bait, offers convenience and effectiveness in catching fish. It is easy to use and can be successful in attracting various fish species. On the other hand, homemade bait provides a more affordable and creative option. Anglers can experiment with different ingredients, scents, and visuals to create their own successful bait recipes.
Homemade trout bait recipes often include ingredients such as garlic, flour, cornmeal, sugar, cheese, and food coloring. One popular recipe involves creating a dough by mixing dry ingredients like flour and sugar with wet ingredients, including melted cheese and water. This dough is then boiled, forming dense balls that can be used as bait. Another recipe specifically for trout bait includes cheesy garlic dough, made with water, flour, cornmeal, sugar, garlic powder, and Velveeta cheese.
The effectiveness of Powerbait and homemade bait can vary depending on the fishing conditions and the type of fish being targeted. In some cases, anglers have found that fish prefer homemade bait when it is floated through the current and rocks on light tackle, while Powerbait works better in deeper, still water. Additionally, homemade bait can be advantageous when fishing for panfish, as it saves costs and provides a unique experience.
Ultimately, the choice between Powerbait and homemade bait depends on personal preference, convenience, and the specific fishing scenario. Both options can be successful, and anglers often experiment with different techniques and recipes to find what works best for them.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese is said to be good bait for carp, catfish, perch, bass, bullhead, suckers, barbel, and possibly turtles. It is also used to catch trout in Texas.
Gouda, Swiss, Babybel, and Velveeta are all types of cheese that have been used as fishing bait. Some anglers recommend using a slightly hardened cheese, as softer cheeses tend to fall off the hook.
Some anglers recommend threading the cheese onto a "'hair'" beneath the hook so that when the fish eats the cheese, the hook gets sucked in as well. Others suggest using a mesh bag or pantyhose to hold the cheese together on the hook.
