Is Bacon Good Fishing Bait?

Bacon is one of those ingredients that seems to make everything taste better. The salty, smoky flavor of bacon complements both sweet and savory foods. So it’s no surprise that anglers have discovered that bacon also makes an excellent fishing bait, enticing all sorts of fish to bite.

A Proven Catfish Bait

Catfish anglers have been using bacon as bait for decades. The oily and pungent aroma of bacon efficiently travels through the water to attract catfish. The soft texture also allows catfish to eat it easily off the hook. Bacon’s salty flavor likely reminds catfish of their natural food sources like dead fish, crayfish, and other bottom feeders.

Bacon consistently produces great results for catfishermen. In a thread on the Catfish Angler Forum, an angler reported catching several nice-sized catfish using only bacon as bait. He had much less luck with traditional baits like cube steak and catfish bait. Other members chimed in with their own bacon success stories for catching catfish. They mentioned adding extra attractants like anise oil or garlic powder to the bacon for even better results.

There’s no denying bacon’s effectiveness for catfishing after hearing so many first-hand accounts. The irresistible smell and taste make it a can’t-miss bait for most catfish species like channels blues and flatheads.

Not Just For Catfish

While catfish may find bacon especially tantalizing, it can catch many other game fish too. Bacon works well for catching carp, which are drawn to strong-smelling baits like catfish. The natural oils in bacon also appeal to bottom feeders like sturgeon and freshwater drum.

Panfish are attracted to the fatty richness of bacon. Crappies, bluegills, and perch will bite readily on small bacon strips. Using bacon can be a good tactic for enticing finicky panfish when bites are light.

Even fish like walleye, trout, and bass may take a bacon bait occasionally. When fishing gets tough, switching to bacon can sometimes get these fish biting again. The unique smell and flavor they rarely encounter can pique their curiosity.

So whether you’re targeting bottom feeders or finicky panfish, keep some bacon in your tackle box. It works when nothing else will on a wide variety of species.

Preparing Bacon For Fishing

While you can thread raw bacon onto a hook and fish with it immediately, taking a few extra steps will make it more effective:

• Microwave or pan-fry the bacon briefly to release more oil. The extra aroma will spread through the water.
• Let bacon soak in a plastic bag in the fridge for a day or two to intensify the smell.
• Add powdered attractants like anise, garlic, vanilla, or strawberry to the bacon for extra flavor.
• Cut bacon into 1-2 inch chunks instead of long strips to make it easier for fish to eat.
• Weave bacon onto a treble hook to keep it from being stolen by smaller fish.
• Wrap lead weights with bacon strips for a scent-dispersing sinker.

With just a few tricks like these, you can turn bacon into a super-charged catfish catcher!

Why Is Bacon So Effective?

There are several reasons why bacon makes such terrific bait:

• Strong Smell – Bacon has a powerful aroma even when raw. The smoky pork scent travels easily through the water to attract fish.
• Fish-Attracting Oils – Bacon contains fish-stimulating oils that disperse into the surrounding water. This makes the bait extra effective.
• Flavor – To fish, the salty, smoky taste of bacon closely mimics their natural food sources. This tempting flavor makes them hold onto the bait.
• Soft Texture – Bacon is easy for fish to bite chunks out of and swallow. This allows them to ingest the hook more easily.
• Cheap & Accessible – As one of the most commonly eaten meats, bacon is easy to find and affordable at any grocery store.

With all these built-in advantages, it’s obvious why bacon is a prime bait for catching many popular game fish.

Unusual Baits Similar To Bacon

While bacon is a go-to bait for many anglers, there are some even more unorthodox pork products that can produce fish:

• Salt Pork – This heavily salted and preserved pork is a tougher alternative to bacon. It stays on the hook well.
• Fatback – Pure pork fat that oozes fish-attracting oil into the water.
• Pig Intestines – Natural casing from sausage making has a strong scent.
• Pig Skin – Crispy fried pig skin has a powerful aroma fish can’t resist.
• Pork Liver – Soft liver loaded with fish-stimulating nutrients.

Any kind of pork product will give off a scent and flavor that fish find attractive. Be creative and don’t be afraid to try unusual forms of pork. You might just discover a surprising new bait!

Is Bacon Bait Allowed?

Before tying on a strip of bacon, make sure it’s a legal bait where you’ll be fishing. In some waters, using mammals or pork products for bait is prohibited to prevent the spread of diseases like foot-and-mouth disease.

For example, bacon is banned for use as fishing bait in some western states with large livestock populations, like Montana and Wyoming. Other states may limit pork bait to cooked or commercially processed products only.

Check your local fishing regulations to see if any bait restrictions apply before baiting up with bacon. Where it’s permitted, take full advantage of this inexpensive, yet deadly effective bait.

Anglers have been proving for years that bacon is one of the best catfish baits available. The strong aroma, oily texture, and salty flavor perfectly match the natural forage catfish feed on. While catfish may love it the most, bacon can catch many other species too when times get tough. Always keep some bacon in your tackle box for a reliable bait that puts fish in the boat when nothing else seems to work. Let the irresistible smell and taste of bacon make you a better angler!