Most people wouldn’t even think to try fishing with bread because it’s an old trade secret that isn’t talked about very often. But it has to be the easiest, cleanest, and least complicated way to fish with bait out there. And the best part, it works!.
Bread can be an extremely effective bait for catching a variety of fish species As an angler on a budget, I’m always looking for cheap and readily available bait options Bread checks both of those boxes and can help you put more fish in the boat!
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll teach you everything you need to know about fishing with bread so you can use it to start catching more fish
Why Use Bread for Bait?
There are several great reasons why bread makes such a good fishing bait
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It’s cheap – A loaf of bread costs just a couple dollars at the grocery store, making it one of the most affordable baits around. This allows you to save money on tackle.
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It’s easy to obtain – You can pick up bread at any supermarket. No need to visit a specialty tackle shop or order bait online.
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It works for many species – Catfish, carp, bream, trout, and many other fish will readily eat bread. This versatility means you can use it in both freshwater and saltwater.
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It’s easy to use – Bread is simple to put on a hook. It also stays on the hook fairly well compared to baits like worms.
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It lasts a while – Bread doesn’t die like live bait. A single loaf can yield many pieces of bait for multiple fishing trips.
So if you want an affordable, easy to find, and effective bait, bread is a great option!
How to Prepare Bread for Bait
To turn a loaf of bread into fish-catching bait, you just need to follow a few simple steps:
1. Choose a Suitable Bread
For bait, you’ll want to select a bread that has some density and texture to it. The bread needs to stay on the hook and hold up in the water for a little while.
I recommend choosing a firm white or wheat bread loaf. Stay away from flimsy white breads and anything with lots of preservatives.
Sourdough, rye, and homemade breads can also work well. I’ve even used leftover hamburger buns in a pinch!
2. Cut or Tear Into Bait Sized Pieces
Determine what size bread baits you’ll need based on the species you’re targeting and size of hooks you’re using.
I like to tear off pieces that are about 1 inch square. You can also cut the bread with a knife into cubes or small rectangles.
Having a variety of sizes gives you options. Smaller baits work well for panfish while larger baits are better for catfish.
3. Get the Bread Wet
Dry bread crumbles easily and won’t stay on the hook. You need to moisten the bread so it becomes workable and sticky.
Simply dunk the pieces of bread in a bucket of water for 10-20 seconds. I like to knead and squeeze the bread while it’s submerged to help it absorb water.
Don’t soak the bread too long or it will become too saturated and mushy. You want it moist but still firm.
4. Put Bread Pieces in a Container
After soaking and kneading the bread pieces, place them into an airtight container like a plastic sandwich bag or small Tupperware.
This keeps the prepared bait moist and transportable so it’s ready to use when you get to the fishing spot.
Fishing with Bread Techniques
Now that you know how to make bread bait, let’s look at some effective techniques for putting it to use:
Freelining
The simplest way to fish bread is freelining. Just mold a piece of damp bread around the hook and toss it out!
Let the bread slowly sink near structure. Leave your reel in free spool so fish can pick up the bait without resistance.
This works well for pond fishing. Watch for your line to start moving off slowly and set the hook on any bite.
Under a Bobber
For added sensitivity to bites, freelining bread under a bobber is highly effective.
Pinch a piece of soaked bread on the hook and cast it out with a slip bobber 3-5 feet up the line.
The bobber will show even subtle picks ups and pulls from fish. Let it drift into prime structures then be ready to set the hook.
On Bottom Rigs
Fishing bread on the bottom is deadly for species like catfish and carp. Use a sinker to get the bait down quickly.
Opt for dough style baits on bottom rigs. Knead the wet bread vigorously into a firm ball of dough with your hands then thread it onto the hook.
Cast into productive areas like creek pools, main river channels, and pond holes. The dough will slowly give off scent to draw bottom feeders in.
As Chum
You can also use leftover bread pieces to chum fish into a feeding frenzy.
Simply scatter bits of damp bread into the area you’re fishing. This gets fish excited and competitively feeding.
Follow up quickly by casting your baited line into the chum slick. Fish will be aggressive and ready to bite!
Best Fish Species to Target With Bread
While many fish will eat bread bait, some species tend to find it particularly irresistible:
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Carp – Bread is like candy for carp. They can hone in on it from a long distance. Dough balls and chumming are highly effective tactics.
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Catfish – Catfish love the scent of bread. Use larger dough baits on bottom rigs near cover. Chumming also works well to get channels feeding.
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Panfish – Crappies, bluegills, and other sunfish will readily strike small pieces of bread. Freelining is a good approach.
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Trout – In stocked ponds and lakes, trout will gravitate to the scent of bread. Small baits under a bobber work great.
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Tilapia – Tilapia aren’t picky. They’ll eat just about any organic matter including bread. Chum and freelining are good tactics.
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Pufferfish – Aggressive puffers will demolish bread baits. Use light line and steady pressure to land these sharp-toothed fighters.
Bread Fishing Tips & Tricks
Here are some additional pointers to help you maximize success when fishing with bread:
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Add a few squirts of fish oil on the bread to make it more appealing to fish.
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Mix in corn, cheese, or other flavor additives to create a variety of dough baits.
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Re-wet your leftover bread bait if it starts to dry out.
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When chumming, give the area 5-10 minutes to get fish stimulated and competing before casting your line.
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Be ready to set the hook immediately once your bait gets picked up – fish tend to nibble bread quickly.
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Vary your bait size based on the species you’re targeting. Match the hatch!
Ready to Catch More Fish on Bread?
As you can see, fishing with bread is an extremely effective and economical way to catch a variety of freshwater and saltwater species. With its versatility, affordability, and ease of use, every angler should keep bread in their arsenal of baits.
Now that you know how to turn a simple loaf of bread into a fish-catching machine, it’s time to get out on the water and put this knowledge to use. With the tips and techniques in this guide, you’ll be reeling in hungry fish in no time.
Benefits of fishing with bread
Quick, easy, and available: everyone has a loaf of bread at home, so there’s not much you need to do to get ready. Just grab your fishing gear and a loaf of bread and head down to the water!
There is no mess or fuss; you don’t get bait on your hands, and if you catch fish, you can hold them with a rag to keep your hands clean. And all youre doing is wrapping the hook in bread, its not tricky!.
Fishing with bread is fun and works just as well as other baits, sometimes even better, whether you’ve fished before or not. You can do it when you want to kill time or have a quick session with a friend or family member.
How to rig up for it
Its an incredibly simple rig. There is only a small sinker about 30 cm away from your hooks. You can use one or two hooks, but two gives you more chances and makes the fish more interested in your bait, so that’s what you should do.
- Thread your line through your hook/s
- Tie off your end hook (how to tie a uni-knot)
- 30-cm away from your hooks, put your split shot sinker on the line and use pliers to squeeze it down tight.
- Click here to learn how to tie a double uni-knot on your leader.
- Thread your leader through your hook/s
- Tie off your end hook (how to tie a uni-knot)
- 30-cm away from your hooks, put your split shot sinker on the line and use pliers to squeeze it down tight.
Fishing with Bread! | SPORT FISHING
How to fish with bread?
Take at least 2 slices of bread. Turn on the water in your sink. Put a slice of bread under the water and start rolling the slice of bread into a ball. Repeat step 3 for all the slices of bread you want for fishing bait. Go to your fishing spot with the balls of bread inside a plastic bag and your fishing gear.
How can I prepare fish for kids?
This is really dependent on the personal preference of your children. Some children will eat fish the same way adults do for others you may need to make this more interesting by creating things like homemade fishcakes, fish burger patties, fish balls or by adding this to toast or even pasta. Involving your children in the preparation and cooking process can also encourage them to consume the fish.
How do you make fish bread?
Prepare your ingredients. A basic breading involves fish, flour, egg, and coating. If you’re using frozen fish, defrost it thoroughly. It’s also good to rinse the fish in cold, clean water to remove any scale-bits or other stuff that might be stuck to it.
Can you catch fish with bread?
You can catch fish with bread, the problem is keeping it on the hook. I’m not sure why anyone would want to use bread for fishing because it’s far more productive to buy a block of frozen squid or shrimp. You’ll catch far better variety of fish.