It is easy to make pack bait. All it takes is a bowl or bucket and a few ingredients. Pack bait is a proven carp-catching bait. You will find the bait seldom fails unless the fish see a lot of pressure.

Try one of the recipes. You will get a surprise using the bait also. Once the fish starts hitting, the action is fast and non-stop for a long time.

What pack bait looks like when mixed.

Reading Time; 4 minutes 930 words.

I have not found an easier way to make or use bait to catch fish. It is a carp bait. Yet, I catch catfish, drum, and panfish with the bait also. It even surprises me with some bass at times.

Note: Understand a pack bait needs a hair rig or a hook with bait on it. The bait falls apart to draw in the fish. It is a way to get around anti-chumming laws in some localities.

Ingredients

The few ingredients are as follows in the list. These make the basic version of pack bait. A few use grits or rice instead of oats. You can mix and match and make your own recipe also.

  • Oatmeal
  • Breadcrumbs (optional but recommended)
  • Creamed Corn
  • Instant Rice for an optional recipe (see below)
  • Instant and Quick Grits for an optional recipe (see below)
  • Flavoring and Scent

There are many flavoring and scents that work. Besides, the flavorings may be region or waterway specific. Try a few of the following to see which is best for you.

  • Vanilla extract
  • Anise oil
  • Molasses
  • Jello
  • Kool-Aid
  • Sardines
  • Commercial scents sold at retailers
  • There are more options, be creative

There are a few recipes, I find work very well for carp. Each takes only minutes to make. You can upsize the recipes or use the amounts provided.

Oats and Panko Pack Bait Recipe

I find this recipe one of the better ones. The breadcrumbs seem to give it a better consistency. The bait packs firmer and stays on well during a cast.

  • 16 ounces of quick oats
  • 8 ounces panko
  • 1 can or 14 ounces of creamed corn
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 Tbsp of flavoring or jello packet
All the ingredients together before mixing

Put the corn in the mixing container. Add the oats and mix. Then add the breadcrumbs and flavoring. The oats take some time to soak up the liquid. Mixing the oats first allows them to soak up more liquid.

Oats Pack Bait Recipe

This recipe skips the breadcrumbs. You will need more oats or some water. The oats will soak up the liquid slowly.

  • 42 ounces of quick oatmeal
  • 1 can or 14 ounces of corn
  • Flavoring

Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix. Allow it to sit for an hour. Check the consistency, it needs to be firm but moist. If it is too wet or dry it falls apart while casting. When you get it right.

The bait will fall apart in the water quickly drawing in carp. It spreads out giving carp an easy-to-eat meal. They suck up your hook while feasting.

Panko Recipe

The breadcrumb pack bait is like an uncooked dough ball bait. It is easier to make. The bread crumbs soak up the liquid faster. You will get a good firm ball also.

  • 16 ounces of Panko breadcrumbs
  • 7 ounces of creamed corn
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 Tbsp of flavoring or jello packet

Place the corn, salt, and flavoring in a bowl and mix. Then add the breadcrumbs slowly to reach the right texture. This bait holds together well when casting. It dissolves quickly making a smaller pile for carp to eat.

Pack Baits with Other Ingredients

There are times when oats do not produce well. Carp tend to get shy of bait if people catch them too often. Changing up the main ingredient may help.

Grits or All Corn Pack Bait

This bait uses all corn products except for the flavoring and scent additive. Using Jello or a sugar-based flavor is recommended. The sugar helps hold the bait together.

  • 24 ounces of instant grits
  • 12 ounces of quick grits
  • 1 can or 14 ounces of creamed corn
  • A little flavoring

Mix the corn and flavoring together first. Mix the grits together in a separate container. Add the instant and quick grits mixture to the liquids slowly. This helps to achieve the proper consistency.

The bait breaks up into particles that spread out. This makes a larger area for the carp to feed and helps bring in more fish.

Rice Recipe

This bait takes a longer time to make. You need to let it sit to absorb the liquid into the rice. It is best to mix at night and allow it to sit until morning. Add liquid or rice to get the right texture

  • 28 ounces of instant rice
  • 30 ounces of pop or flavored drink ( think fruity drinks )
  • 1 cup of salt
  • 1 cup of sugar

Like most recipes, mix all the liquids first. Then add the rice. Mix it thoroughly and allow it to sit for 6-10 hours. Adjust to get a good firm consistency. This is a bait that spreads out also. It helps bring carp to your hook.

Conclusion

Pack baits catch carp, it is one of the best baits. People tend to try corn or nightcrawlers. Those baits are fine but do not come close to pack baits for carp. Another option to try is using boilies. Boilies are a solid bait that stays together. A dough ball is a good bait also.

John McIntyre

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