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How to Use Chicken Livers for Catfish Bait

How to Use Chicken Livers for Catfish Bait

catfish image by pearlguy from Fotolia.com

Catfish bait is about as unique as the fisherman that uses it. From cereal and cat food to syrup and hot sauce, everyone has their own secret ingredient when it comes to catching catfish. One of the more popular ingredients that is widely used as an ingredient are chicken livers. Livers can provide a texture and aroma that drives big catfish wild and can be highly effective.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • 1 pound of partially thawed chicken livers
  • 1/2 box crushed cornflakes
  • 1/2 cup garlic powder (unsalted)
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup molasses
  • Mixing bowl
  • Rubber surgical type gloves
  • Heavy duty freezer bags
Step 1
Add the partially thawed chicken livers, corn flakes, grated Parmesan cheese and garlic powder to a mixing bowl.
Step 2
Put on a pair of surgical type gloves. You may want to consider using two pairs of gloves to provide an extra layer of protection to help ensure your hands do not absorb odors.
Step 3
Combine the ingredients in the mixing bowl. Thoroughly incorporate the ingredients with your fingers making sure to break down larger pieces of chicken liver and cornflakes.
Step 4
Add the molasses to the mixture a little at a time and continue to mix. Make sure the molasses is thoroughly incorporated throughout.
Step 5
Divide the chicken liver bait into equal portions and place into heavy duty freezer bags. Do not over fill the bags with the mixture. Seal the bag, place it into a second freezer bag and put both into the freezer.
Step 6
Remove the bait from the freezer the night before you plan on fishing. Some people prefer to allow the bait to "age" before using. In this case, allow the bait to set in a warm area such as in the sun for a day. This will accelerate the breakdown of the livers and produce a more smelly bait.
Step 7
Pinch off enough of the mixture and roll into a ball about the size of a quarter. Place the ball of chicken liver bait on a large hook in the 3/0 size. Form the bait ball around the hook, then bend and lower part of the shank to help hold it in place.
Step 8
Cast the bait into the water and allow to settle to the bottom of the lake, river or pond. Allow the bait to set undisturbed. The odor from the bait, and especially the livers, will begin to move through the water and attract catfish.

Tips & Warnings

 
Divide the mixture up into amounts that you feel will be used on a single outing. This will prevent having left over or wasted mixture.
 
You must freeze the mixture to store it for any length of time. The chicken livers will quickly begin to smell if the bait is left unfrozen for very long.
 
Catfish are ultrasensitive to smell and will use this sense to locate the bait.
 
Wash the mixing bowl and any surface that the livers contact. Wash your hands thoroughly whenever the mixture is handled.

Article Written By Keith Dooley

Keith Dooley has a degree in outdoor education and sports management. He has worked as an assistant athletic director, head coach and assistant coach in various sports including football, softball and golf. Dooley has worked for various websites in the past, contributing instructional articles on a wide variety of topics.

Write for Trails.com

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