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+--- Thread: Stinky Bait Inquiry (/showthread.php?tid=402763)
Stinky Bait Inquiry - Saberfish - 03-23-2008
[black][size 3]On Saturday afternoon, while napping and channel surfing, I saw a TV fishing show dedicated to Catfishing.[/size][/black]
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[size 3]It was on a local independent (SLC) channel, Number 44 on Direct TV, and was sponsored by Bass Pro Shops.[/size]
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[size 3]The host and guests were fishing some of the larger mid-west rivers, and were catching some large channel cats.[/size]
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[size 3]The bait that they were using was a Strike King product called Dynamite. It looked like a "stink bait" sold in several different types of containers, and has the consistency of peanut butter.[/size]
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[size 3]The product has been developed solely for use while fishing for channel cats, and I assume that with all of the recent scent developed products, should work.[/size]
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[size 3]I don't remember seeing any discussion on the forum concerning use of this type of prepared bait, and was wondering if anyone has used these products.[/size]
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Re: [Saberfish] Stinky Bait Inquiry - HaggardW - 03-23-2008
I grew up in cache valley fishing the muddy bottoms of the bear and little bear including cutler. I have used just about everything to attract the kittys (including the stinks) and always come back to the basics. My favorite is still shrimp and vanilla - seems strange, but the older gents swore by it and it has always seemed to work. Carp meat, eye balls, guts and parts always worked well too. I have found the same to work well on Utah lake. At Willard I have always done well with Rapalas along the dikes.
I guess I prefer not to pay for the exotics if I don't have to. You can usually get a bag of "not for human consumption" shrimp for a buck, freeze it and use it all year.
The worst part of stink bait is that it stinks and so will you [
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Re: [Saberfish] Stinky Bait Inquiry - ocean - 03-23-2008
I have used all kinds of stink bait with no luck. I have had better luck with minnows and they smell just as bad as the stink bait sometimes especially the chubs. Carp meat works well too .
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Re: [Saberfish] Stinky Bait Inquiry - percheye - 03-23-2008
where do you buy the not for human shrimp?. I usually use leftover slightly rotten shrimp.
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Re: [Saberfish] Stinky Bait Inquiry - TubeDude - 03-23-2008
[cool][#0000ff]Having fished all over the country and having caught every species of catfish to be caught, I have some opinions...natcherly. First of all, let's deal with the popular opinions held by many anglers:[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]1. Catfish feed only at night. [b][#0000ff]Some catfish, in some areas, under some circumstances do feed more at night. However, in most waters in most states you can catch just as many during daytime hours.[/#0000ff][/#0000ff][/b]
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[#0000ff]2. Catfish only eat stinky stuff. Some catfish, in some waters do seem to have wierd food preferences and can be caught on just about anything at one time or another. And, cats that live in waters with murky water and muddy bottoms are pretty much forced to forage along the bottom...and they find their food by smell. Stands to reason that strongly-scented baits will work well under those conditions.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have always been amazed at some of the far out recipes that have been developed for catfish around the country. Some of them actually work...some of the time. Some work better in some waters, on some species, than others. It is often a localized thing. And, often the old goobers who promote their favorite recipes are more wierd and smell worse than the baits they are touting.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have caught SOME cats on prepared baits...both dough baits and "dips". But, I can truthfully say that whenever I have conducted side by side unbiased comparison tests, I usually catch more fish on natural baits...like worms, minnows or cut bait. In many waters...especially in the west...I have been blanked while soaking commercial baits, but quckly started getting bit when I changed to "natural" baits. This is especially true in cleaner waters where the cats tend to become more natural feeders.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Not all prepared baits are STINK BAITS. Some of them are fairly mild smelling cheese concoctions or are made of real fish parts. Many incorporate other well know natural attractants, like garlic or anixe (licorice). These almost qualify as natural baits. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The HAZMAT baits may include foul smelling cheeses, "fermented" fish parts or "well aged" animal or chicken blood. While some catmen swear by them, most people are more likely to swear at them if they get downwind from someone using them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I long ago lost count of all the CAN'T MISS "superbaits" people have divulged...under penalty of death for revealing them. There is not a single kind of cheese, meat, vegetable or fruit that has not caught cats for someone somewhere. Similarly, there is probably no scent, essence, flavoring or attractant that will not appeal to at least the occasional kitty.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It ain't no secret folks. Catfish are not gourmet diners. Animal, vegetable and even mineral...it is all good to go.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]But, I still maintain that month in and month out...year in and year out...you will catch more cats in more places using "natural" baits.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]That stuff they promote on TV? Never see it for free, do you? Wonder why that is...and wonder why they gotta put together shows on how great it is. Heck fire, the old fisherman's telegraph is the best way to get the word out on something that REALLY works. And, if somebody does come up with a good idea, the word spreads fast.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We have had this discussion on Utah BFT before. And, the general consensus is that it is mostly just another product to catch fishermen. Sure, it will work. But will it work well enough, and better, enough times to justify pawning your wife and kids to buy a year's supply?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Fun to watch those programs though. Especially the ones with Bill Dunce. [/#0000ff]
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Re: [Saberfish] Stinky Bait Inquiry - bwhitty - 03-24-2008
Be careful with the stink bait[crazy][shocked]
A true (kinda long,sorry) story!
Last year I decided to fish the Jordan river on the days when i got off work early just for fun. I stopped by Cabelas on Thursday and told an employee to "set me up to catch some catfish". He hooked me up with some stink bait called Wicked Sticky and the right hooks and all. Well on Friday after work I went and tried it and whoa, does the name fit. It even comes with a stick to push your bait down in the goo as to not get it on your fingers. Well inevitably i guess i got a little on my hand.(I only caught 2 little nippers)
Saturday morning i get up and my chin feels weird. Like I just got home from the dentist. I run to the bathroom and my chin and lower lip were swollen up like a balloon!!! I woke my wife up and said "does this look swollen to you?". She was in shock and was asking if I could still breath and ran me off to an insta-care thinking maybe I had a bad infection from an absess or something. The doctor said my gums looked ok and couldn't figure it out. Finally he asked if I had been around anything out of my usual routine and I said "no.......uh oh", and my wife said "WHAT?!?!" I said "I tried some new bait to catch fish and did get a little on my hands". He said I probably wiped my hand on my face and thats probably it. Gave me some benadryl and sent me home. I was fine that afternoon. Obviously she made me throw out my new tub of stink bait,[mad] 99% sure that was the culprit.
Two weeks later I wake up one morning and my top lip and one side of my nose is numb and swollen. She asked me, and yes I had tossed it all out 2 weeks ago. Hooks and all!!! I was thinking I was to soon be on a episode of Mystery Diagnosis. We started thinking what else it could be. She was concerned thinking it was not the stink bait after all and maybe going back to the doctor. Then I said..."uh oh". She said "WHAT?!?!" I said "well, I cleaned out the trunk yesterday and that pole i used was in there so I grabbed it and stuck it in the garage". LOL, yep, it had not been washed off and must have still had some stink bait on the handle.[laugh]
Needless to say I will stick with the natural baits from now on!!!!![pirate]
Stink bait......$8
Hooks......$4
Insta-care bill......$160
The look on her face when I say "uh-oh"......priceless
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Re: [Saberfish] Stinky Bait Inquiry - Jiggety - 03-24-2008
I will never use a stinkbait again in my life. I bought a tub of some kind of blood-bait once. This stuff stunk to high heaven. Now not to say that it didnt work, because I caught many large cats on it over by the pump house @ Utah Lake. But this stuff is a horrible mess, and the smell stays with you no matter how much you wash up.
The best part is that after the 3rd trip out with this stuff I decided it just wasnt worth it and went to toss it out. My buddy said that he wanted it and took the stuff with him. On our next trip out we got to the lake and he opened his pack only to discover the tub had opened up and was on EVERYTHING. He had to throw out nearly all of it, but the stuff he did keep still has that stink!
I agree with TD, stick with the natural stuff, it works just as well IMO.
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Re: [percheye] Stinky Bait Inquiry - HaggardW - 03-25-2008
Most grocers... you have to ask for it specifically.
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Re: [bwhitty] Stinky Bait Inquiry - fshslyer36 - 03-25-2008
LMFAO
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Re: [TubeDude] Stinky Bait Inquiry - ChubbyChaser - 03-25-2008
I have always had good luck with a big fat juicy crawler on a hook, I've never needed to use stinkum or anything concocted out of unnatural chemicals, and never wanted to becuase of the odor. I agree with TD that the naturals work as good if not better than the nasty stuff in a tub.
When I was a kid, I ran around with some guys that were mink ranchers before the bottom fell out of the market in the late 80's.
THey would use chunks of dried mink food which was ground up fish parts and other animal bi-product. THey would outfish anyone on a regular basis. So if someone were to have access to some mink slop, they would probably do very well on the JR and in UL.
But in my experience, a good old fashioned worm, minnow or shrimp is probably about as effective as anything you get readily obtain and still be allowed in the house afterward.
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Re: [Saberfish] Stinky Bait Inquiry - Carp_Punisher - 03-25-2008
[#505000]Only thing I have ever caught with stinkbait is a walleye. Never had so much as a bump while chasing cats. I'll stick with my trusty cut bait.[/#505000]
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Re: [Saberfish] Stinky Bait Inquiry - Extex - 03-25-2008
Many years ago I used a similar Strike king product that came in a tube with a tackle rig consisting of a pouch around a double hook. Squeeze the pouch full of the stinky stuff & fish with it - caught a lot of kitties with the set up and it was very clean to use. The only time the stink was a problem was when you were done fishing and had to deal with the stinky hook and pouch rig - I usually just rinsed it out the best I could and left it in the back of the truck loose - you definitely did not want to put it back in the tackle box. I have never thought that stink baits worked better than live or cut bait for channels or blues - stink is just convenient if you are out of bait or it is unavailable. I have caught channel cats on everything from hotdogs to just a plain bright silver hooks with no bait on a trot line. If it looks like or "smells" like food - channels and blues will eat it if hungry [
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Re: [Extex] Stinky Bait Inquiry - Saberfish - 03-25-2008
[black][size 3]Interesting responses. Seems like the overall feeling is that the unpleasant smell of prepared baits is not worth using them.[/size][/black]
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[size 3]ChubbyChaser, I can relate to the smell of mink food. While in high school, during the summer months, I worked at a plant that produced mink feed. After work, my mother would make me take my clothing off outside on my way to the shower. Because of the hours and "unusual" working conditions, it was one of the best paying jobs in Cache Valley.[/size]
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Re: [Saberfish] Stinky Bait Inquiry - TubeDude - 03-25-2008
[cool][#0000ff]Interestingly, the Loy family harvested carp for many years out of Utah Lake and for many of those years their biggest customers were the mink farms.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There is one natural/unnatural bait that I am surprised has not been mentioned...hot dogs. Plain, smoked, cheesy or garlicy, these tubes of processed meat can be good bait...not only for kitties but I have seen bome largemouths taken on them too.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Good topic.[/#0000ff]
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Re: [Saberfish] Stinky Bait Inquiry - nugs - 03-25-2008
i used the strike king dynamite baits last year with great results. it didn't outfish naturals but for a comercial bait i think it's the best on the market. if u try it remember to take the casings off they fall off in the water anyways and i'd rather not litter myself. i'm all about natural baits but this stuff did produce decent fish all year for me on days when cut bait wouldn't buy a bite. just my .02
Re: [nugs] Stinky Bait Inquiry - Saberfish - 03-26-2008
[black][size 3]I have to agree with you.[/size][/black]
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[size 3]I have a confession, I posted the original thread, just for information purposes, and wanted to see what experience anyone had with prepared baits. I personally haven't baited a hook for many years. My personal preference is the enjoyment I get out of fooling fish, not feeding them, But that's just me.[/size]
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Re: [TubeDude] Stinky Bait Inquiry - bwhitty - 03-26-2008
[#0000ff][size 1]There is one natural/unnatural bait that I am surprised has not been mentioned...hot dogs. Plain, smoked, cheesy or garlicy, these tubes of processed [#ff4040](GOODNESS)[/#ff4040] meat can be good bait[/size][/#0000ff]
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[#000000][size 1](Ok I added the goodness part)[/size][/#000000]
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[#000000][size 1]Dang why didnt I think of that before!?! And the best part is when you get a little hungry....nothing like a "death tube" to curb the stomach growls.[/size][/#000000]
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Re: [bwhitty] Stinky Bait Inquiry - TubeDude - 03-26-2008
[cool][#0000ff]There are increasingly more "weenies" being made of chicken or turkey (parts is parts). TubeBabe and I used to always take two or three hot dogs out with us in the tubes. One we would cut lengthwise, into 4 long quarter strips. These were just right for cutting off a small piece and tipping a jig. Amazing all the different species of fish we caught by using hot dogs instead of crawlers. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If we wanted to drag a bait, we would cut another weenie into halves and then quarters...crosscut...and pin a piece on a hook. If we wanted to go crazy we would shoot on a bit of garlic. No mustard or relish though. Danged fish got to expecting too much anyway.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Most of that was while we were living in Arizona. Haven't even tried them since we moved back to Utah 4 years ago. Might be time to do some "hot doggin'". Kowabunga.[/#0000ff]
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Re: [TubeDude] Stinky Bait Inquiry - LordoftheFlies - 03-26-2008
Damn you TD, I thought I was special with the "hot dog secret".[
] Seriously though, I always used to use shrimp which works great, until someone shared the "hot dog secret" with me. Hot dogs are much cheaper than shrimp, and IMO work just as well.
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Re: [Saberfish] Stinky Bait Inquiry - Jiggety - 03-26-2008
I used to use hot dogs as well. Out at Bountiful Pond we would put nearly a half a dog on a hook for the BIG carp. My buddy caught one that was dang near 3 feet long. He fought the SOB for 45 minutes. I told him he probably had the state record at least for that year, but neither one of us wanted to handle it to take it in. We did have cut bait for most of the summer though.
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