Hey there fellow fishers and welcome to my post where we will check out my 3 best fishing chum bags to attract the big ones with this year. Those of us who have been fishing for some time know that chumming (also known as burleying) is one effective way of attracting our target fish. Here anglers use bait—a dead or live fish, bone, blood of other sea species or other food particles to attract fish to the area where their hook is set..
However just any old chum bag can be ineffective if not adequately releasing the relevant attractants into the right spot. What you need then are reliable and durable options so to help you out, I have had a good look around and come up with 3 good options below.
Let’s check them out.
My three recommended chum bags for fishing
I will review these in more detail below, however if you just want to get moving without all the carry-on, my recommended products are listed here for your convenience:
| Chum Bag | Price | Get it | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Baitmasters Disposable Chum Bags | $ | CURRENT PRICE |
 | Lindy Bait Tamer Fishing Bait Bag | $$ | CURRENT PRICE |
 | Boone 5 Gallon Chum Bag | $$$ | CURRENT PRICE |
What are fishing chum bags?
A fishing chum bag is a mesh or plastic bag with holes that can be filled with chum to slowly release scent over time. Angling hobbyists usually use ground-up fish parts, blood and bones as their chum (we use cat food as well) and as above, this technique is helpful in attracting fish to a particular area.
Once you have the fish where you want them, you then cast your hookset into this area to give yourself a better chance of landing a catch.
What is chumming?
Chumming is the process of attracting fish to your fishing spot by slowly releasing tiny bits of ground up bait (called chum or burley) into the water. Once the fish have been attracted, you then add your hookset to the same area for a better chance of a bite.
What should you be looking for?
Below are some factors to consider as you look for a good chum bag for your needs.
- Material used
- Durability
- Capacity
- Additions
Materials used
The standard material used for chum bags would be monofilament nylon with a mesh design. Even DIY chum bags, which are customarily generally reused laundry bags, have nylon as their construction material.
Some disposable options are made from durable plastic that are used one time only, and as such, they come at a low price. Since your chum consists of ground materials, the mesh size of fishing chum bags is smaller than that of the recommended size for regular fishing nets.
Durability
Generally, a chum bag will spend a significant amount of time in the water and if you are trolling, it will be dragged behind your boat – not to mention if you are plunging it into ice as well. This situation demands that the option you will buy should be able to withstand such punishment.
Disposable chum bags do not have lasting durability to offer since these are only good for short-term usage so if you seek to benefit from a chum bag for an extended period, nylon-made products are your suitable option. Some manufacturers introduce additional layers of protection, making their products heavy-duty as well.
Capacity
This another vital quality describes how much chum the bag can hold. Obviously, small chum bags can only contain a small amount of content and vice versa. However, the type of fish you want to catch also determines the chum that you will use, which in turn affects its capacity.
Additions
Other potential additions include:
- Opening: Your chum bag’s opening size determines how easy it is to load the chum inside the bag. Remember that chums are measured in cubic inches, so make sure whichever one you choose has enough space for the amount of bait you want to keep on hand (plus some). For me, a chum bag that opens or closes with a drawstring is easier to get chum into and holds together easily without opening while submerged.
- Washable: It is a good thing if you can wash the chum bag you purchased. Aside from cleaning the material, this also ensures that the chum bag is protected from any rotting food.
- Quantity: Some manufacturers give more than one product upon buying. Others come just one piece.
- Rope: This item helps in connecting the chum bag to your boat, which is helpful, mainly when you are trolling or if you wish to tie it to a boat etc.
My three recommendations broken down
So based on the information above and my own experience, I recommend the following options:
1. Baitmasters Disposable Chum Bags
This first chum bag option comes in four pieces with a design that is pretty straightforward and can handle your standard-size chum blocks. See its specifications below:
- Brand: Baitmasters
- Material: Plastic mesh
- Capacity: 7 pounds
- Dimensions: 4 x 3 x 0.5 inches
- Weight: 0.04 pounds
Other inclusions:
- Four chum bags upon purchase
- Wide opening
Why have I chosen it?
You get four disposable chum bags for the price of one, which makes this product very affordable. Since the bags are disposable, there is no need for you to clean it up after use and the opening is big enough to fit your hand and a 7-pound chum block as bait.
2. Lindy Bait Tamer Fishing Bait Bag
My second option is a popular buy for anglers as it is usable in both freshwater and seawater angling. It secures your bait while being submerged with great circulation and ventilation. See its specifications below:
- Brand: Lindy
- Material: Durable mesh
- Capacity: Depends on the item bought
- Dimensions: 14 x 11 x 3.5 inches
- Weight: 0.51 pounds
Other inclusions:
- Washable
- Flow-through design
- Hook and loop opening
Why have I chosen it?
This product is designed to keep your bait, especially if alive, safe and secured. It has a full slip top opening which gives you complete access to your chum. It is completely washable with a collapsible design that makes it easier to store when not in use.
3. Boone 5 Gallon Chum Bag
My final recommended option is two-layered and can endure up to 30 pounds of your fish chum. It is also strong and durable as well. See its specifications below:
- Brand: Boone
- Material: Heavy-duty nylon coated material
- Capacity: 30 pounds
- Dimensions: 14.45 x 12.68 x 1.65 inches
- Weight: 1.19 pounds
Other inclusions:
- Drawstring opening
- Extra weep holes
Why have I chosen it?
This 23-inch-long by 12-inch-diameter chum bag is made of heavy-duty nylon-coated material and features extra weep holes that improve the scent distribution of your chum. This product securely holds the chum placed inside it and the drawstrings at the opening allow the bag to be closed securely. This design can be helpful if you’re fishing for larger fish or fishing for an extended period of time.
Conclusion
There you have it, my three best fishing chum bags for your freshwater and seawater fishing adventures. I would be pleased to know how this article helped you, and as usual, let me know of your experiences with them.
Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, corrections, or would like me to check anything else out for you.
Until next time.
Have fun
Paul
