Corn is best known for its use at summer cookouts, but it has many other applications. For example, it can be used to make a fine bourbon or even vodka. Is fishing with corn, however, a good idea, and is it legal to use as a bait in the state of Texas?
Corn, best known for its use as carp bait and even trout bait, can be an excellent addition to any tackle box. Corn is effective on many different species of fish that can be found across Texas like stocked trout, panfish, bas and catfish.
Even though it is not widely used as bait by many serious or professional anglers, corn can be extremely beneficial to newer fishermen. If you want to take your children fishing but don’t want to deal with live bait or stinky cut bait, corn is a great alternative bait.
Unfortunately, corn is not legal in every state. But is it legal to fish with corn in Texas?
Is It Legal To Fish With Corn In Texas?
In Texas it perfectly legal to fish with corn in areas where bait is permitted. While Texas permits the use of corn as bait, it is not always legal to attract fish by chumming with corn.
After reading through the most recent Texas Fishing Regulations as well as listening to feedback from local Texas anglers, it’s pretty clear that it is legal to use corn as fishing bait in the state of Texas.
However, be sure to do your own research to find out the restrictions of using corn in any body of water in the state of Texas before you head out.
Why Is Corn Such a Good Bait To Use?
Fish Like The Color of Corn
It’s also possible that the fish are keyed in on that specific color that day, and anything that looks like chartreuse or yellow will help you catch fish. So, absolutely, you can go fishing with corn.
Corn Looks Like Food Pellets
Many stocked fish eat corn kernel-sized pellets before being released into lakes and rivers. Some believe that the stocked fish recognize the round corn kernels as the food pellets that were their main source of nutrition while at the fish hatchery.
Corn Kernels Resemble Fish Eggs
One theory, especially when it comes to using corn as bait for trout, is that the corn kernels look a lot like fish eggs. Many species of fish will feed on fish eggs. So this is one reason that corn can be a good bait to use.
Tips for Fishing With Corn as Bait
Trout and Bluegill
If fishing for trout or bluegill, simply use a small egg size hook or something similar and attach 1 or 2 kernels of corn to it. This baited hook can hang down about 24 inches below a bobber, or you can attach a very small split shot weight about 18 inches above the hook with your
If you aren’t using a bobber, just add enough weight to be able to cast it out to where the fish are. The weight should be light enough that the corn falls slowly through the water column, attracting fish as it goes.
Related: How To Fish With Corn (Tips, Techniques and More!)
Catfish and Carp Corn Rig
The hair rig is a popular method for fishing with corn, and it works best when using corn-flavored dough. A hook with multiple corn kernels will also work.
The bait is hung from a section of leader off the bend of the hook on this rig. Because the bait is slightly separated from the hook, the fish can come up and mouth the corn to ensure it is safe to eat. Once it has determined that it is safe, it will suck up both the bait and the hook.
You can also choose a hook that is appropriate for the size of the fish you are attempting to catch. Thread 4-6 kernels onto the hook, or as many as necessary to completely cover the hook. Unlike the hair rig, the hook is inhaled after the bait is taken.
This type of fishing rig is most effective with whole kernel corn. This rig can be used directly underneath a bobber. Set the hook once the bobber is pulled beneath the surface or begins to move.
You can also attach a weight to this rig and let it sit on the lake’s bottom. This is ideal for catching bottom dwellers like carp and catfish.
Final Thoughts
Even though fishing with corn is legal in Texas, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is legal to use in every body of water. And when it comes to chumming, the legality of corn use can be a completely different issue. So be sure to do your own homework and research before fishing with corn in Texas.
