How to Make Dough Ball

It is easy to make your own dough ball. The recipe is basic with few variations. The ingredients are in your kitchen or local grocery store. When making the bait it is easy to put in different flavors. As a result, the flavors put off a scent to draw in the fish.

Common carp love to feed on dough balls.

Reading Time; 2 1/2 minutes 603 words.

Mixing the Dough Ball

The dough ball is a cornbread recipe. You make the dough using the same ingredients. You omit the baking soda. The dough ball does not rise while cooking.

1 cup cornmeal
1 cup flour
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp. sugar (omit if using Jello or Koolaid with sugar)
1 cup water ( the amount increases if using dry flavors)
Crushed Wheaties (can be used instead of flour and cornmeal)

Mix all the dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Add 3/4ths of the water and mix well. If the mix is too stiff add water slowly to make it softer but still firm. The dough makes a firm ball. It is not sticky or dry. Using a powder-type flavoring, add it while mixing.

If the ball is sticky you need to add more flour to stiffen the mix. Plus if it is dry and crumbly, you add water. You want the right texture for a good result.

Cooking Dough Ball

The best cooking method is boiling the dough. People make small and big balls. The small balls cook quickly. These are the size of grapes. It takes time to form the small balls. You can make balls the size of a tennis ball also.

This is easier for a few reasons. You make 2-3 balls instead of dozens of little ones. Plus later, adding the liquid flavors and scent is easier.

Cooking small baits, you drop them into boiling water for 3-4 minutes. The larger balls need wrapping in a rag or piece of cloth. Use a twist tie to hold it together. Drop the ball into boiling water and cook for 12-15 minutes.

Cooking makes the bait stay on the hook better also. Some people do not cook the dough ball. Some people leave the bait to sit and dry. I find uncooked dough balls to be crumbly and it falls off the hook easier. But, the method is okay for the grape size baits.

Flavors and Scents

You make the bait with a variety of flavors and scents. The best ones tend to be sweet-smelling and tasty. Sweet or alcohol-based flavors tend to draw carp to the bait.

Vanilla extract
Molasses
Anise oil
Fruit extracts or syrups
1 pack Strawberry Jello (other flavors work also)
Kool-aide
Coffee
Pea powder (add to the dry mix)
1/2-1 cup Crushed Corn flakes or Wheaties (add to the dry mix)

The liquid flavors you add after cooking. Allow the balls to cool completely. Knead the liquid into the ball. The liquids tend to spread out in the water faster. Vanilla and molasses work very well in my area. In other regions, one of the other flavors may be better.

Using a dry flavor, mix it with the dry ingredients. You want an adequate amount of flavor. The liquids are strong, use a teaspoon or up to a tablespoon per ball. The dry will be about 1/2 to 1 cup.

Conclusion

You make a dough ball with a few kitchen staples. You mix and cook or air dry the bait. Use a flavor with a sweet scent. The carp like a sweet-smelling bait. In homemade baits, other options are pack baits.

John McIntyre