How to Use Corn For Trout Fishing? A Guide With Pictures That Works

Corn has been used as bait by many anglers mainly because it’s cheap compared to artificial baits or salmon eggs. It’s versatile, easy to transport, and can be rigged easily even for a complete beginner.

Corn is also the perfect size for small hooks and the kernels will stay on the hook better than the majority of soft baits. It works wonders in the early season when other types of bait aren’t available or aren’t working.

All of this makes corn an effective bait for many different kinds of fish, particularly trout. You just need to learn how to properly use it to increase your chances of success.

So, how to use corn for trout fishing? You use corn for trout fishing by rigging a hook with a couple of kernels and let them float off the bottom. You can also try chumming with corn which can be more effective. However, you need to make sure fishing with corn is allowed in your area, as it can be harmful to the environment and to smaller fish.

Keep reading to learn more information about why fish like corn, what types of corn work best as fish bait, and how to rig corn for trout fishing.

Why Do Fish Like Corn as Bait?

There are many assumptions regarding why fish like corn as bait. Many believe that fish are attracted to the bright yellow color of corn, which can be very visible to the fish in murky waters.

It could also be that corn resembles the fish eggs that many fish species, primarily trout, actively seek out to feed on.

While the main reason why fish are attracted to corn cannot be confirmed, there’s no denying the effectiveness of using corn as bait.

What Kinds of Fish Can You Catch with Corn?

You can catch just about any fish with corn, while it might not always be as effective as live bait, cut bait, or lures

Corn is primarily known as carp bait, however, it’s also very effective as bait with big fish like bluegill, and trout.

These fish have a short digestive system that is mainly designed for digesting proteins, so they can’t fully digest corn but it can still smoothly pass through their digestive system

You can learn why Corn attracts fish here and why it makes such good bait.

Can Corn Kill Certain Kinds of Fish?

Yes, corn can kill smaller fish because they won’t be able to digest it. Corn can cause blockages in the stomach and intestines of small fish which leads to an internal build-up and ends with the fish dying.

However, some types of small fish like bream, perch, bass and small catfish might be able to tolerate corn and can pass it through their digestive system without any harm.

As for Trout, it’s absolutely fine to use Corn for trout and it does not harm them at all. You can learn more in my post on does Corn harm trout here.

What Types of Corn Work as Fish Bait?

There are many different types of corn that work as fish bait. Let’s take a closer look at each type:

Canned Whole Kernel Corn

Canned whole kernel corn is the most commonly used type as it can be found in any country store or grocery store

It’s inexpensive and you can easily use it to fish all day without running out.

You can purchase Del Monte Canned Whole Kernel Corn here on amazon.

Canned Sweet Corn

Canned sweetcorn is another commonly used type of corn. You can also find it at almost every grocery store at a very affordable price.

It’s more effective than regular corn because the sweet flavor and intense scent of the corn will disperse well through water which will attract more fish and get them to bite. It’s also perfectly sized for small hooks.

You can purchase Libby’s Canned Sweet Corn here on Amazon.

Feed Corn

Feed corner is larger than regular and sweet corn which makes it more ideal when using larger hooks.

The kernel is hard and dry, so you will need to boil it then soak it in water for about 12 hours before using it to get it soft enough for the fish to bite.

It’s the most affordable type of corn as you can purchase it in large bags from your local store. It will also last you a lot longer than other types of corn.

You can purchase Wagner’s Feed Corn here on Amazon.

Corn Flavored Bait

There are some brands that manufacture fish bait that’s corn flavored like Berkley’s Powerbait.

Flavored bait is highly effective and offers many advantages. It has a strong smell and comes in a bright yellow color which attracts more fish. It’s soft and pliable, so it can easily stick to your hook. It also tends to stay on the hook longer than natural corn.

However, this kind of bait is usually more expensive than natural corn options.

You can purchase Berkley’s Corn Flavored Powerbait here on Amazon.

Artificial Corn

There are some brands that manufacture plastic artificial corn. This kind of corn has been proven to be just as effective as natural corn options.

It comes in different colors, and you can add different scents or flavors to it similar to mimic other baits.

You can purchase Xhope Artificial Corn here on Amazon.

Is Corn a Good Bait to Use for Trout?

Yes, corn is a good bait to use for trout. Corn is the main ingredient in the fish food served to trout fish that are raised in hatcheries because it can effectively mimic the look of fish eggs that trout feed on. Also, the bright yellow color of corn can effectively grab the trout’s attention and get them to bite.

Does Garlic Corn Work for Trout?

Yes, garlic corn does work for trout and it’s often more effective than regular corn. This is because the strong garlic scent can disperse through the water which attracts more trout. You can easily turn your regular corn bait into garlic corn bait by mixing roasted or powdered garlic in a can of corn and leave it to soak overnight.

You can check my guide to using garlic corn for trout fishing here.

Does Corn Harm Trout?

No, corn does not harm trout. Trout will be able to swallow corn and pass it through their digestive system if the corn is cooked until it’s soft enough. However, if trout swallow the corn-baited hook when they bite, removing the hook from their gut can cause them significant harm.

How to Prepare Corn for Trout?

If you’re using canned corn (sweet or regular) you can use it as it is. There are also some ways you can make corn more attractive to trout.

You can mix the corn with some powdered garlic or artificial sweeteners to give it a stronger and more distinctive scent to attract trout from. You can also add coloring to make it more visible in the water.

If you’re using dry feed corn, however, it needs to be prepared. You need to soak the corn in a bowl of water and let it soak for about 12 hours. Then you need to cook the corn on low heat for about 45 minutes to get it soft enough. Make sure the corn kernels remain whole

How to Rig Corn for Trout?

For better results when using corn bait to fish for trout, you need to learn how to rig it correctly.

Rigging a kernel of corn on a hook is fairly simple. You need to put it directly onto the hook and avoid using larger hooks because the corn kernels could easily fall off of them.

There are two effective methods to rig corn bait for trout. Let’s take a look at the steps for each of these methods:

Simple Corn Rig (Directly on the Hook)

For this method, you’ll need a small hook, a small split shot weight, a bobber, and a monofilament fishing line with 4-to-6-pound test

The steps:

Tie the hook to the fishing line using a clinch knot.

Add 1-3 corn kernels directly to the hook and make sure to slide them down to completely cover the hook.

Add the split-shot weight up the fishing line at about 1-to-2 feet from the hook.

Loop the bobber onto the fishing line at about 4-to-6 feet up the line.

You can change the length from the bobber and the hook according to the depth at which you’re going to fish

Pop Up Corn Rig

This method is considered more advanced. You’ll need a threading needle, a coated hook link line, a hair stop, a rig ring, and silicone tubing

The steps:

Slide two kernels of floating corn on the threading needle.

Thread the hook link line through the two corn kernels then tie the hair stop to hold them in place.

Tie the rig ring on the link line on the opposite side from the hair stop. It’s recommended to use an overhand knot.

Insert the hook tip through the rig ring.

Thread the eyelet of the hook through the end of the link line and tie it using a knotless knot.

Slide a small piece of silicone tubing over the eyelet of your hook.

Add the small split-shot weight at about an inch above the hook and add the bobber at about 4-to-6 feet up the fishing line.

You can change the length from the bobber and the hook according to the depth at which you’re going to fish

You can purchase a ready-made rig here on Amazon.

How to Tie a Clinch Knot?

Here are the steps you can follow to tie a clinch knot:

Pass the end of the line through the eye of the hook then pull about 6 inches of line through.

Double it back against itself and twist five to seven times.

Pass the end of the line through the small loop formed above the eye, then through the bigger loop just created. Make sure that the coils don’t overlap.

Finally, moisten and pull the tag end and mainline so that the coiled line tightens against the eye and trim any excess.

How to Tie a Knotless Knot?

Here are the steps you can follow to tie a knotless knot:

Tie a loop at the end of the line to hold the bait.

Thread the other end of the line through the eye of the hook and adjust the loop to the desired position.

Double back against itself and twist five to eight times around the hook shank. Make sure to keep the twists neat.

Run the free end of the line through the eye of the hook.

Hold the loop end and pull the free end tight while working the twists up to the eye of the hook.

How to Chum with Corn?

Chumming is a fishing technique where you scatter large amounts of bait in the water around the area where you’re fishing.

To successfully chum with corn, you need to throw about half a can of sweetcorn (or any type of corn) near the area where you’re fishing to attract the fish then wait a few minutes for the fish to begin feeding.

If you get no action within 30 minutes, it’s recommended to move to a different location.

The amount of corn you use will depend on how much weed there is in the area where you’re fishing.

Is Chumming with Corn Harmful to The Environment?

Many anglers agree that chumming with corn attracts a lot of fish to their fishing spot. However, there are specific rules to chumming with corn depending on the water and state where you’re fishing.

That is because chumming with corn can be harmful to the environment since it can leave an unappealing mess in the water. It takes several weeks to biodegrade since corn has a relatively tough shell that breaks down slower than other natural baits.

Also, the uneaten corn kernels left behind from chumming might attract other animals to which corn can be harmful.

So, you need to check the local regulations to make sure chumming is allowed where you’re fishing.

Where Is It Illegal to Fish Using Corn?

It’s illegal to fish using corn bait in some areas where water bodies contain a lot of small fish

Corn bait can be harmful to smaller fish as they won’t be able to digest it and it might kill them

Fishing with corn where it’s illegal can lead to facing serious charges. So, it’s very important to check the regulations of your state regarding using corn as bait. If it’s not stated in the official regulations, it’s best to contact the local officials and ask them before using corn to fish.

How to Use Corn For Trout Fishing? A Guide With Pictures That Works

Why Do Fish Like Corn as Bait?