Known primarily for its popularity at summer time cookouts, corn has many other uses. For instance, you can make a fine bourbon with it, or even a vodka. However, is fishing with corn a good idea?
Primarily known for its excellent use as carp bait, corn can be an excellent addition to any tackle box. It works well on stocked trout, panfish, and can even catch bass. It’s not known as something that serious anglers use but can be successful for newer fisherman, or if you want to take kids fishing and don’t want to fuss with live bait, or stinky cut bait.
Whole kernel canned corn is preferred as it can be found at just about any country store or grocery store, but even bait companies are coming on board. They now have created a whole kernel corn that is larger and sturdier and will hold onto a hook longer when submerged underwater. Granted it will be more expensive.
Do Fish Really Like Corn
Most fish can be caught on corn. The thought process behind it is that many stocked fish eat pellets before they’re released into lakes and rivers and they recognize the round pieces as their primary food source. However, it could also be that it resembles an egg of some sort that many fish, primarily trout, will actively seek out to feed on.
It could also be that the fish are keyed in that particular color that day, and anything resembling chartreuse or yellow will help you catch fish. So yes, you can absolutely go fishing with corn.
Which Types of Fish Like Corn
Just about any fish will hit on corn. It might not be as successful as using live, cut bait, or lures, but loading a hook full of kernels is bound to catch you something during your trip.
It’s primarily known as carp bait, and for good reason. Carp absolutely love it, and it’s a perfect bait to throw if you’re new to carp fishing or fishing in general.
You’ll find that bream, perch, bass, and small catfish will also come up and eat it.
Does Canned Corn Work Best
This all depends on your cost to lost bait ratio is. Whole kernel canned work can work wonders, but because of how soft it is you could be losing your bait all day. However, the price for a whole can of corn is incredible cheap. You could easily fish all day and unless you were really catching a lot of fish you would not even be close to running out.
Other than that, you could use feed corn. This is a harder kernel that you will need to soften the night before by boiling it and letting it soak. If you have copious amount of feed corn handy then there is no need to buy the can as you can easily and readily use that instead.
You can also corn flavored dough. This closely resembles the play doh we used to play with as kids and comes in bright yellow. This is softer and more pliable allowing it easily stick to your hook. However, the durability is subject and can fall off the hook easily.
Do You Need to Flavor Your Corn First
You don’t need to flavor your corn, but sometimes It can help when the fish are being stingy. You can dip your corn into any sort of liquid stink bait that you find at your local Walmart or tackle shop and that might help entice a few bites.
The dough mentioned earlier also comes in different flavors. If you don’t feel like messing with dipping corn into liquid then the dough will be the perfect option. Pick out a few different flavors and see which one is working best that day.
Some fishermen will let their corn soak in garlic and oil over night, while some even soak it in their leftover Gulp bait juice.
How to Rig and Fish Corn
The hair rig is one of the more popular set ups. This works best when using corn favored dough. This is where your bait is hung from a section of leader off the bend of the hook. Since the bait is slightly separated from the actual hook it allows the fish to come up and mouth the corn to ensure its safe to eat. Once it’s determined its safe it will suck up the bait as well as the hook.
You can also select a hook that matches the size of the fish your attempting to catch. Then thread 4-6 kernels onto the hook, or however many you desire. Unlike the hair rig once the bait has been taken the hook has been inhaled. This works best or whole kernel corn. You can right this underneath a bobber and once the bobber is sucked under or begins to move you can set the hook. You could also weight this and allow it to sit on the bottom of the lake. This will work well for catching bottom dwellers such as catfish.
Is Fishing with Corn Illegal
Most states will allow you to fish with corn when using it as bait. However, there are a number of states that strictly prohibit using corn as chum to attract fish. This is why it’s always important to double check the county and state laws to ensure you’re breaking any laws.
If it is in fact illegal, then it is not worth getting a fine or losing your fishing license just because you wanted to fish with corn. There are plenty of other legal baits out there you can use that won’t result in you getting in trouble.
Conclusion
Fishing with Corn can be an extremely fun and cheap way to wet a line. Whether your attempting to catch bass, bream, catfish, perch, or carp, you’re almost guaranteed to catch at least something when out on the water.
One last trick you can use with corn fishing is to chum the water beforehand. Take a handful of your whole kernel corn and chunk it out where you plan on fishing. This will attract other fish to the area who will now more than likely take what is on your hook.
