"Chumming" What's the deal

[Guest]

So, what's the deal with chumming and ice fishing. Is it kosher or not? If it is does it work? what do you use? If anyone has some light to shed on this it would be a big help.

[Guest]

Im pretty sure in NY this practice is illegal for any type of fishing, but I have heard that some people crumble crackers etc. down the hole as an attractant. Beware the fines can be stiff!!!

[vern]

I believe chumming is legal in Minnesota as long as you are using something that is biodegradable & not harmful to water quality or any aquatic species. I've never done it, but I would think bread crumbs, crackers, oatmeal etc. would be OK. I think the key is to chum with something that will attract baitfish & then the gamefish will follow. Vern

[This message has been edited by vern (edited 12-01-2002).]

[I Like Worms]

growing up fishing with my grandpa, we always tip our hooks with a kernal of corn. But before we started fishing, he would always take a handfull and throw out into the water, or put it down the hole. A can of corn was standard in the tacklebox then. Did it make a difference? Well, he always caught fish.

[kslipsinker]

When ice fishing, I always throw the minnow bodies down the hole when I pinch them off for jigging. Almost every day I will catch a fish on a head with a tail section hanging out of it's mouth that I had thrown down the hole. There also is a pellet product out there that supposedly releases something that triggers the food chain. Would that be illegal?

[Guest]

I know berkley and the like make attractants of various "smells", has anyone combined any of that sort of thing or fish sauce (asian cooking ingredient that is a squid or sardine extract) with oatmeal?....results?

I am hoping to do some investigation on this topic ice fishing this year. I'll try some different stuff , see if it makes any difference.