For whatever reason, trout have, indeed, shown that they are attracted to the garlic scent. Anglers have been using garlic baits for trout with great success for decades.
Some things just don’t make sense. Like the little hook-keeper just above the cork handle on your fly rod. Nobody uses them anymore, yet manufacturers keep building rods with hook-keepers.
I’m a die-hard fly fisher. I haven’t used a baitcaster or spinning rod for trout in years. And that means I haven’t used bait for years.
But when I went fishing with some local kids not long ago, I had to help them set up their spinning rods. They wanted to try their hands at fishing for the first time. They didn’t know where to start.
So, a group of volunteers and I took some kids to the nearby fishing pond, where the state Fish and Game Department regularly puts rainbow trout from eggs.
“So what do we use for bait?” one of the kids asked me. I just finished rigging up his rod, and I had the same question. I looked over at a buddy of mine who helped organize the outing.
He shook his head, and handed me a little jar of marshmallow bait. I looked at the label.
It wasn’t a foreign notion, I guess. After all, trout do have a keen sense of smell. Trout have two noses, which are called “nares,” on the tip of their snouts. They use them to smell everything in the water.
Trout don’t use their nostrils to breathe. That’s what gills are for. Their nares are only used for olfactory purposes.
And garlic? Well, let’s just say it has a certain odor. And, it would appear hatchery rainbows love the stuff.
During the kids’ trip, the clove-scented bait I wrapped around a snelled hook caught the trout. Dropped under a single split-shot weight and dangled under a bobber, the garlic bait worked wonders.
Garlic has been used by bait anglers for years. But I’m also learning that it’s mostly used to catch stocked trout. These are fish that were raised in concrete raceways and fed a steady diet of pellets.
The senses of a stocked trout are likely a bit muted. That’s because they don’t see, hear, or smell the same things that wild trout do every day. And the strong smell of garlic might be enough to get a hatchery trout excited if they’re used to getting fish food thrown into their tanks.
That may be why kids using the garlic bait cleaned up at the stocked trout pond.
Wild trout depend on their senses of smell for more than just food. The fish’s very sensitive nares are also used to help trout find their way back to the water where they spawn. Trout use their sense of smell to find fish that are spawning, to spot danger, and to check the quality of the water they swim in.
In fact, their sense of smell is 500 times more potent than our own. Even a hatchery trout has a better “nose” than we do.
That may be why the sharp odor of garlic appeals to stocked trout. But even then, nobody really knows why the sharp garlic smell appeals to trout. But, if you fish with garlic-scented bait, you know it works, right?.
Garlic baits come in various forms. I noted the marshmallow version above. It also comes in a dough and even in a gel. Some lures and soft-plastics are even coated in a garlic-scented chemical.
To use garlic-scented marshmallow bait and dough bait, simply form it around the hook. I’d recommend a size 12 snelled hook, and drop it below a light split-shot weight. The weight will help get the bait into the feeding zone. Without weight, marshmallow bait floats.
Garlic gel is simply applied to lures, soft plastics or even other baits. One of the anglers I fished with when we took the kids out is a die-hard bait angler. He smears garlic gel on his worms and salmon eggs.
Don’t overthink it. We fly fishers … we like to think that our brand of fishing has a higher calling. It doesn’t seem like such a pure art to trick trout with things made from feathers and fur when that same fish might eat a garlic-scented dough ball from a can.
If you like using bait to catch trout and you’re not using baits that smell like garlic, you should ask yourself why not.
Garlic is well-known for its pungent aroma and bold flavor that can transform any dish But did you know that garlic can also be used to catch more fish? It’s true – garlic contains compounds that are very attractive to fish and can be used to make your bait or lure much more enticing
In this article we’ll explore the science behind why garlic attracts fish which species seem most attracted to it, and effective techniques for using garlic to improve your fishing success. Let’s dig in!
Why Does Garlic Attract Fish?
Most fish have a highly developed sense of smell and use it to locate food. Garlic contains sulfur compounds like allicin and diallyl disulfide which easily dissolve in water. As the garlic scent spreads through the water, it stimulates the fish’s olfactory system and gets their attention.
Studies have shown that both freshwater and marine fish demonstrate a strong attraction to the odor of garlic. The scent triggers instinctive feeding behaviors and makes the fish more likely to strike at baits and lures that contain garlic.
Some key reasons why garlic attracts fish:
- Strong scent profile spreads easily through water
- Stimulates predatory instincts and appetite
- Garlic scent masks human/unnatural smells that can deter fish
- Odor plumes create curiosity and draw fish toward baits
So by adding garlic to your tackle, you are essentially speaking the fish’s language and sending the message that a meal is waiting.
What Fish Are Attracted to Garlic?
While most fish do detect and respond to garlic, some species seem especially attracted by its robust aroma. Fish with a particularly keen sense of smell, like catfish, carp, and trout, aggressively strike at garlic baits.
Here are some of the fish that garlic works great for:
- Catfish – Channel cats, blue cats, flatheads
- Carp – Common, grass, silver, bighead
- Trout – Rainbow, brown, brook, lake
- Tilapia
- Bluegill
- Walleye
- Striped bass
- Salmon
- Sturgeon
Garlic can entice both freshwater and saltwater species. Its versatile appeal makes it a great scent additive for many types of fishing.
Techniques for Using Garlic to Catch Fish
To harness the fish-catching power of garlic, you need to properly incorporate it into your bait presentation. Here are some effective techniques:
Garlic-Infused Baits – Soak your bait in minced garlic or a garlic oil mixture. Try this with bread, grains, cheese, worms, or prepared bait doughs. The longer the soak, the stronger the scent.
Garlic Dip – Dip your bait into straight garlic oil right before casting out. Quick and easy scent boost.
Garlic Powder Dusting – Lightly coat baits with garlic powder. Works on bugs, plastics, soft dough balls, and more.
Garlic Spray – Use a garlic oil spray on lures and bait right before casting. Reapply frequently.
Add Garlic Oil to Dough Balls – Mix garlic oil into the liquid portion of homemade dough bait recipes. Creates an intense scent cloud.
Garlic Booster Pellets – Place a garlic-infused pellet on the hook along with your bait for a double whammy of scent.
Chum with Garlic – Grind up garlic cloves and spread the “chum” in your fishing area to draw in fish.
Experiment to see which approach works best for your target species and bait type. The fish will let you know if the garlic scent is working by their increased biting activity.
Mixing Up Your Own Garlic Fish Attractants
While you can purchase ready-made garlic fishing scents, making your own is easy, affordable and allows you to customize the formula.
Here are a few homemade garlic scent recipes to try:
Garlic Oil
- 1 cup olive or vegetable oil
- 8-12 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tbsp salt (optional)
Combine ingredients and allow to infuse for 1-2 days. Strain out garlic bits if desired.
Garlic Spray
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Mix ingredients well until dissolved. Add to spray bottle.
Garlic Butter
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 3-4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tbsp parsley (optional)
Blend ingredients thoroughly. Chill until firm.
Pro Tips for Using Garlic for Fishing Success
- Reapply garlic scents often as they wash off quickly in water
- Use freshly minced raw garlic for the strongest scent
- Let baits soak overnight in garlic mixes for maximum infusion
- Add a few drops of garlic oil to your lure’s belly or bait hook
- Match hatch by adding garlic to imitate natural crayfish/shrimp smells
- Use garlic capsules to rapidly chum an area before fishing
So next time you head out fishing, bring along some of nature’s stinkiest seasoning and let the garlic work its fish-catching magic! Just be aware that the garlicky smell tends to linger on your hands too!
Why Does Garlic Scent Work for Trout?
Many believe it works very well for stocked trout that were reared in hatcheries. The fish didn’t have a chance to smell other smells in the water, so the strong smell of garlic might appeal to them.
What Other Smells Attract Trout?
Trout have keen olfactory systems, so the key on smells. Some anglers use fish oil or krill oil to attract trout. Others stick with traditional live baits that also give off smells, like worms or salmon eggs.
Homemade Garlic Fish Attractant; Make your own scent cheap!: Episode 224
Does garlic attract fish?
Despite what many anglers and other fishing enthusiasts say, there is only anecdotal evidence that garlic actually attracts fish. It’s more likely that garlic neutralizes repellant scents, allowing the bait to become more attractive to fish again. The neutralizing factor of garlic can count for a lot when it comes to bait and lines.
Do garlic help with sex life?
There is some evidence to suggest that garlic may have positive effects on both male and female hormones. Garlic can help to raise testosterone levels in men and progesterone levels in women. Additionally, garlic may help to improve blood circulation. However, more research is needed to confirm these effects. If you are interested in trying garlic as a natural way to boost your sex drive or fertility, speak with your healthcare provider first to discuss any potential risks or side effects.
Do fish like garlic?
Mixing garlic with baits such as corn, dough bait, or even worms can be very effective as the strong scents will make the fish bite and hold on to the bait longer. Keep Reading to learn more about why fish like garlic, how to make garlic baits at home, and how to fish using garlic baits. Why
Why do fish eat garlic?
Since fish classify garlic scent as attractive, they will be more to bite on baits or lures with that particular scent, and they’ll also hold on to the baits or lures longer, giving you more than enough time to reel them in successfully.