What is chumming?
No, I am not talking about being a ‘Chum’ with your friends; this is chumming for fish! Chumming is the act of making a natural or artificial scent trail to draw fish to the desired spot. Chumming for Perch, in particular, is a sure way to increase your catch and draw in those bigger models. Chumming can be illegal in different states or regions, so please do your own research.
Never fail perch chum recipes.
Everyone has their recipe, some may be more obscure than others, but in general, nearly all of them work. Chums can consist of a mixture of ingredients or just a single food type. Here are some single-ingredient chums for those more laid-back fishermen.
⦁ Corn
⦁ eggshells
⦁ cat food
⦁ Diced up worms or the bait you are using
These Single-ingredient chums are not only cost-effective but work great and are easy to implement.
How to chum effectively
Chumming is most effective if it is consistently applied in the same area. It may take a while for fish to come but do not lose hope and move spots. Stick to your chummed-up spot and see the results. Cat food will hold plenty of oil and scent; I prefer those with tuna in them. Corn is excellent as it’s easy to throw out and highly effective. Worms are great for chumming if they are also your bait of choice. Cut them up so to keep the fish looking for something more. Eggshells are a special one. They hold no scent; however, they will create sound and will imitate feeding fish. The eggshell method has been questioned before, but anglers swear by it.
The next option is to create a chum mixture. This could be mixing the above items or adding some extra ingredients. Included can be sheep pellets, canned tuna, tuna oil, and if you’re getting fancy, a bit of sparkle can be added to reflect some light to bring the fish in.
The method
Two main factors in how perch feed
Two significant factors to take into consideration with Perch are
a) Perch are bottom feeders; they sit on the floor of the lake or river and
b) Perch congregate in large schools for protection and breeding.
These two pieces of information will change the way we chum for them. Since they are on the bottom, you need to make sure your chum falls through the water column to reach the fish. If you’re fishing in a spot with high water flows, your chum may not reach the fish. To solve this, use heavier chum ingredients or clump them together and throw them upstream. When thrown upstream, the trail will slowly sink over the spot you’re fishing. Alternatively, find a more calm piece of water.
With Perch being schooling fish, this will make chumming highly effective. By scenting the water, you may start to attract only a few fish at first. But this will make an extra commotion and movement, and soon you may have schools of hundreds in your desired fishing hole. If you are getting plagued with tiny undersized Perch, the bigger fish may be on the outskirts of the chummed area. Instead of feeding on the chum, they will be feeding on the baitfish attracted by your chum. Cast bigger baits or lures not directly into your chummed area but directly surrounding.
When you first arrive at your desired fishing spot, whether in a boat or shore-based, start chumming. This should be the first thing you do, yes, even before you put your line in. When you chum, your initial amount can be large; this is to start the scent trail off strong; a few handfuls will do. After this, every 5-10 minutes will be adequate to make a constant scent trail. Overall choose the chum you wish to use, pick a good spot and get chumming.
How to pre-chum
Pre Chumming is a special technique when you frequent one specific fishing hole. This is most effective when you have a hut and ice fishing for Perch; however, it can be in any body of water. Choose your chosen spot, preferably close to home. The important thing is to chum this area consistently. This could be weekly or even daily if you are that committed. By setting up a constant chum in an area, fish will know to pass by and frequent that area as they will start to find your chum in that spot. The next thing to do is fish this spot often, and of course, chum it every time you do so. Essentially by doing this, you have created a great fishing spot where you know plenty of fish will congregate. But be careful. There can be too much of a good thing. When chumming, you don’t want to put out too much food down. This may fill up the fish and get them to leave with their bellies full, or your baited hook may be lost in an expanse of other food. As mentioned, this method is for a hole you fish consistently and can create incredible results.
An old timers chumming strategy
Do you ever meet that older fisherman who somehow always comes home with a feed? This is one of those fishermen. I met him at a pub one night, and we worked our way to the topic of chumming. We had some different ideas, but he disclosed an unusual method, which is so crazy it may even work. He said when driving to your fishing hole, look on the side of the road for roadkill. Whatever it may be, it doesn’t matter. A possum would do. Pick it up and sling it over an overhanging tree that’s at your chosen spot. Then go home and busy yourself with something else. At this point in the story, I was a bit lost, but I didn’t question. He then said, a week later, return to your water hole. By now, your roadkill will be filled with maggots. Directly below this spot or just downstream cast in an unweighted worm or maggot, and you’ll get the Perch every time. See, throughout the week, there will have been a consistent flow of falling maggots into the water. Perch or other fish will stay in this spot and enjoy a free feed, that is until you arrive a week later and start catching.
Overall chumming for Perch is not something you must do but will always improve the fishing. Give it a go next time; you will thank me later.
Written by L. J Sizer
https://ultimate-animals.com/what-is-chumming/