Trout is one of the most fun fish to catch, and we’re going to look into another affordable and effective way to do this – with the help of corn. Some might think corn is only good for feeding chickens or for eating on the cob, but we’ll find out how and why it works so well for trout. Let’s get right to it.
To catch trout with corn, rig a hook with a kernel or two and let it float off the bottom. Stocked trout were likely raised on corn pellets, so they have a natural attraction to it. Chumming with corn can also be more effective, but make sure to check your local laws before doing so.
Still have questions? We have more answers.
Is corn a good bait to use for trout?
Corn is a great bait to use as many times the trout you’re fishing were bred to be stocked in the river or lake. Chances are they were raised and fed pellets made from grain, most likely – corn.
Aside from the effectiveness, corn is also incredibly cheap, making it a virtually unlimited option for bait. You can also make corn more attractive to the trout with a few tweaks (more on this later).
However, keep in mind the weather and other conditions that are at play. There’s a chance they could be affecting the trout’s eating habits and they might prefer a different kind of bait that day. It’s always a good idea to bring multiple baits, lures, and other rigs.
Lastly, you will get other fish, including many panfish, hitting the corn. If you find yourself only catching panfish off of corn, it might be time to switch up the bait.
How to rig corn on a hook
Rigging a kernel of corn on a hook is fairly straight-forward. The easiest way is to thread the hook down the middle and double back on the kernel so the hook is tucked in. This will help prevent the rig from snagging while on the bottom of the lake or river.
However, there are plenty of other inventive methods across the web.
To make your rig more effective, you may want to add a sinker to allow the kernel to stay floating right off the bottom.
Here’s everything you need to get started fishing for trout with corn:
- A rod and reel with a six-pound fishing line
- Size 10-8 hooks
- Split-shot sinkers
You’ll want to tie the hook to the end of the fishing line via a clinch knot and then add 1-4 kernels.
The six-pound line is pretty standard for trout fishing, as well as the size 10-8 hooks.
Split-shot sinkers are also easy to set up, just add them 6 inches above the hook so the bait floats in range of the trout.
Keep in mind that when using a weight, there’s a chance it could make some baits appear less natural and therefore – less effective. If you decide to just use corn without a weight, you’ll likely find it’ll still work well enough.
Experiment with your rigs and see which presentation is most effective for the trout in your area.
The best kinds of corn to use for trout fishing
When it comes down to choosing a type of corn for your trout, you should highly consider using canned sweetcorn. Not only is it widely available (you find it at almost any store) but the sweet flavor and scent disperse through the water well, attracting trout much more often than regular corn.
If you don’t have sweetcorn, regular corn will still work, just not as well. Next time you’re at the store, consider stocking up on a few cans.
Does garlic corn work better than regular corn?
Garlic corn most often works better than regular corn. This is because the scent is easily dispersed through the water, which attracts more trout.
There are several ways to turn your sweetcorn into garlic sweetcorn. Two of the methods include mixing in some roasted or powdered garlic in your cans of sweetcorn.
Do this and you’ll have a potent bait that trout will flock to. You can easily do this by bringing a small garlic powder spice along with your can of corn. However, for the best results, you should let the garlic and corn sit overnight to marinade.
Step up your corn game with some garlic sweetcorn. It’s easy, cheap, and effective.
Related questions:
Is it legal to use corn to fish for trout?
Using corn as bait is usually legal, but depending on the state, chumming with corn might not be. If too much corn is introduced, it can disrupt the ecosystem and cause damage to future fish populations. Make sure to check your local laws before chumming with corn.
Do trout swallow hooks more often with corn?
Yes, trout can often suck corn down quickly before you feel a tug on your line. When you’re fishing with corn, it’s a good idea to bring needle-nose pliers and be prepared to remove a few swallowed hooks.