The logic behind chumming is simple and convincing: by offering fish something that smells and tastes good, they are simultaneously attracted to where you’re fishing and primed to strike.
And there’s simply no question that chumming works.
In some cases, chumming is as simple as throwing a handful of corn into the water, but in others, it’s a complex task that takes the full attention of one angler.
If you want to know more about chumming, as well as its legality, you’re come to the right place!
Below, we’ll cover the basics, introduce you to some effective techniques, and discuss whether chumming is legal.
Table of Contents (clickable)
Related: Saltwater Fishing Tips
What is chumming?
Chumming is the practice of “baiting” fish to attract them and prime them to feed actively. It can range from spreading grains or dog food into a pond to attract carp or panfish, to using blood and fish oil to create a slick that other anglers fish.
The techniques are only limited by anglers’ imaginations, and I’ve seen everything from bait bags leaking bloody bits of fish to meat grinders mounted on the bow of a charter boat.
Before you even consider chumming, check with your local department of fisheries. State law varies quite a bit, and there may even be different rules for fresh and saltwater where you live.
And laws have changed very recently in some places; don’t rely on “What use to be true!”
For instance, in 2019, Florida banned chumming from shore and piers.
From that point forward, Kerry Sheridan reports that “People who fish for sharks in Florida will soon have to get a special permit. State wildlife officials are also banning chumming from shore, which involves dropping fish parts and blood into the water to attract sharks. The changes to fishing from beaches and piers were made after a series of public meetings, held statewide over the past several months.”
How Does Chumming Work?
Most species of fish are very sensitive to scents dissolved in the water.
Catfish, for instance, “can smell some compounds at one part to 10 billion parts of water.” According to Dr. John Caprio of Louisiana State University, “Catfish are swimming tongues … You can’t touch any place on a catfish without touching thousands of taste buds. To use an analogy, it’s as if the tip of your tongue grew out and covered your body.”
Sharks are no less amazing in this respect. Scientists at the University of Hawaii, Manoa say that “sharks can smell blood from hundreds of meters away,” explaining why chumming can attract big fish quickly.
When you chum, microscopic particles of the food source you introduce are distributed into the water, floating with the current. When fish detect that smell, it’s like passing a bakery with an empty stomach is for you – and they’re taken by an almost irresistible urge to show up and investigate the possibility of a free meal.
Different methods of chumming – and different conditions – affect its effectiveness, with some methods being better suited to calm, still water and other to stronger currents.
Common Chumming Methods
There’s no question that chumming is more common in saltwater angling, where the need to attract fish across vast distances drives the practice.
Some anglers do chum for catfish, and I’ve seen corn chumming for carp as well as dog food chumming for bluegill. Keep in mind that chumming in freshwater is often illegal, and we do not condone breaking the law.
In the spirit of that, we’ll focus on saltwater chumming, which is widely accepted and generally legal from a boat offshore.
Chunking
Chunking is a method of chumming in which chunks of cut bait are thrown into the water while the boat moves slowly forward. The result is a line or trail of scent, as well as bits of free food, that attract fish effectively.
And when used in combination with hooks armed with the same bait, you can expect that fish are well and truly primed to strike!
Chunking well demands that you go slow and don’t over-do it. A slow, steady stream of cut bait is better than a big dump, and judicious use of your available chunk lets you fish all day.