
Chicken liver is a popular bait for fishing, especially for catfishing. However, it can be challenging to keep chicken liver on the hook. There are several methods and types of hooks that can be used to keep chicken liver securely on the hook. Some anglers recommend using a treble hook, which has three hooks that help to better contain the liver. Others suggest using a circle hook, which is effective when fishing in rivers or at night. In addition to the type of hook, various techniques can be employed to keep chicken liver on the hook, such as using pantyhose, cheesecloth, thread, or elastic thread to wrap and secure the liver to the hook. Some anglers also recommend curing the chicken liver with Pro-Cure to add scent and flavour, as well as drying and toughening the liver to extend its lifespan and improve its performance on the hook.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of hook | Baitholder hook, worm hook, treble hook, circle hook |
| Other materials | Pantyhose, cheesecloth, thread, dental floss, elastic thread, sponge, zip tie |
| Other techniques | Mash up the liver and mix with cotton, cure the liver with Pro-Cure, wrap skin/membrane around the hook shank, use a liver hook |
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What You'll Learn

Using thread to secure chicken liver to a hook
Chicken liver is a great bait for fishing, especially for catfish. However, it is not the toughest bait to use, and it can be challenging to keep it on the hook. Here is a step-by-step guide on using thread to secure chicken liver to a hook:
Prepare the Chicken Liver
Start by preparing fresh chicken liver. Fresh liver stays on the hook much better than frozen chicken liver. It is also recommended to use chicken livers that come on a flat meat tray, as these tend to be firmer and easier to secure. If you are having trouble finding fresh chicken liver, call around to different stores to see if they offer fresh options.
Using Thread to Secure the Chicken Liver
There are several ways to use thread to secure chicken liver to a hook. One method is to cut a piece of thread about 8 inches long and lay one end of the thread on the liver. The thread will cling to the liver, allowing you to wrap it around the chicken liver securely. Make sure to bring the thread over the inside belly of the hook to ensure the chicken liver stays in place. You can also try looping the thread over loose strands of the liver on the backside of the hook and then wrapping it around to the bend of the hook to create a tight ball.
Another method is to use a treble hook with the thread. First, hook the chicken liver onto the treble hook. Then, cut a piece of thread about 6 inches long and wrap it tightly around the liver and hook. The three hooks of the treble hook will provide more points of contact for the thread to hold onto, making it more secure.
Additional Tips
To further enhance the security of the chicken liver, you can try curing it with salt and borax. This will toughen the liver, making it easier to keep on the hook and extending its shelf life. Simply lay the livers on a piece of cardboard, sprinkle both sides with iodized salt and borax, transfer them to a ziploc bag, and shake vigorously. Once coated, lay the livers on a mesh surface to dry.
Additionally, some anglers recommend using a piece of cloth, such as cheesecloth or pantyhose, in conjunction with the thread to create an even more secure bait package. Cut a small swatch of the cloth, place the liver in the middle, and gather the cloth around the liver to form a marble-sized ball. Then, wrap thread around the cloth-covered liver and insert the hook through the ball.
By following these steps and tips, you can effectively use thread to secure chicken liver to a hook, increasing your chances of a successful fishing trip.
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Using elastic thread to secure chicken liver to a hook
Chicken liver is a popular bait for fishing, especially for catfishing. However, it can be challenging to keep the liver securely attached to the hook. Some anglers recommend using materials like pantyhose, cheesecloth, or rubber bands to contain the liver and keep it in place. Others suggest wrapping the liver with thread, dental floss, or elastic string.
To use elastic thread for securing chicken liver, start by cutting a piece of elastic thread about 10-12 inches long. You can find elastic thread specifically designed for fishing, or you can use regular sewing elastic thread. Place the chicken liver on the hook, and then wrap the elastic thread tightly around the liver and hook. Make sure to start wrapping from the top of the hook and work your way down. The elasticity of the thread will keep it snugly in place.
It is important to note that the tightness of the wrapping is crucial. If wrapped too tightly, the thread can cut into the liver. On the other hand, if it is too loose, the liver may not be securely held. Practice will help you find the right balance. Additionally, you can adjust the tension by playing with the length of the thread you cut.
The elastic thread method is favoured by many anglers for its simplicity and effectiveness. It is also a cost-effective solution, as a small amount of elastic thread can last for multiple fishing trips. This method can be used with various hook types, although circle hooks are often recommended for catfishing.
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Using dental floss to secure chicken liver to a hook
Chicken liver is a cheap and solid bait to use for catfishing. There are many ways to secure chicken liver to a hook, including using pantyhose, spawn netting, thread, zip ties, mesh bag bait holders, and dental floss.
Some fishers have also suggested using a combination of methods to secure chicken liver to a hook. For example, one fisher mentioned using pantyhose and dental floss. First, cut up sections of pantyhose and tie off one end. Then, stuff some liver into the pantyhose and tie off the other end. Finally, attach the pantyhose to the hook and wrap dental floss around it.
Another method that fishers have found success with is to first mash up the livers and mix in some cotton. This adds extra body to the liver to help it stay on the hook. Then, you can wrap the liver and cotton in dental floss and secure it to the hook.
It is important to note that some fishers have mentioned that using dental floss with a minty flavor may not be recommended as the scent may throw off the fish. Instead, it is suggested to use flat, waxed, non-scented dental floss. Additionally, it is important to consider the size of the hook and bait, as using too large of a hook or bait may impact your success in catching fish.
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Using pantyhose to secure chicken liver to a hook
Chicken liver is a popular bait for fishing, especially for catching catfish. However, it can be challenging to keep the liver securely attached to the hook. One effective method to secure chicken liver to a hook is by using pantyhose, also known as tights or stockings. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Liver
Start by cutting the chicken liver into bait-sized pieces. Fresh liver works better than the ones packaged in plastic cups, as they tend to be mushier. If you want to toughen up the liver, you can cure it with garlic salt and leave it in the sun for a few hours on a cookie sheet. Alternatively, you can place the liver in a bag with garlic powder for an hour or so to make it firmer.
Step 2: Cut the Pantyhose
Take a pair of pantyhose and cut it into sections. Cut each section into squares or circles approximately 2.5 to 3 inches in size. You can also use the toe portion of the pantyhose, cutting off any extra material that doesn't cover the bait.
Step 3: Wrap the Chicken Liver
Place a piece of chicken liver in the centre of the cut pantyhose. Gather the corners of the pantyhose and wrap them around the liver to form a small, marble-sized ball. Make sure the pantyhose is pulled tight and secure around the liver.
Step 4: Secure with Thread
Take some thread, sewing thread, or dental floss and wrap it around the ball of liver and pantyhose. You can use any type of knot to secure the thread, such as a clove hitch. Ensure the thread is wrapped tightly to prevent the liver from falling off.
Step 5: Attach to the Hook
Finally, put the hook through the ball of liver and pantyhose. You can use a treble hook or a baitholder hook. If using an offset worm hook, you can also add a zip tie above the top bend of the hook to ensure the bait doesn't slide off.
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Using chicken liver as bait
Chicken liver is a popular bait for fishing, especially for catfishing. There are several ways to keep chicken livers on your hook, with many fishers swearing by different methods. Here are some of the most popular ways to use chicken liver as bait:
Using Elastic Thread
Elastic thread is a cheap and effective way to keep chicken liver on your hook. Take a piece of elastic thread about 10-12 inches long and wrap it tightly around the chicken liver and hook. This method can keep the liver on your hook for 30 minutes to an hour, and is a good option for catching channel catfish.
Sewing Thread
Sewing thread is another popular option for securing chicken liver to your hook. Cut a piece of thread about 8 inches long and lay one end of it on the liver. The thread will stick to the liver, allowing you to wrap it tightly around. Make sure to bring the thread over the inside belly of the hook to secure the liver in place.
Treble Hook
Some fishers prefer to use a treble hook with chicken liver bait. The three hooks help to better secure the liver, and it is especially useful for catching smaller catfish. For larger catfish, a strong octopus or circle hook may be preferable.
Pantyhose
Using pantyhose is another common method for keeping chicken liver on your hook. Cut the pantyhose into small squares, place the liver in the centre, and tie a knot. Then, simply put your hook through the pantyhose and cast your line. This method can also be done with cheesecloth.
Curing
Curing chicken livers with Pro-Cure can add scent and flavour, while also drying and toughening them so they stay on your hook better. Cured livers will also last longer and can be stored in the fridge for future fishing trips.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to keep chicken liver on the hook, including:
- Wrapping the chicken liver with pantyhose and then a zip tie, followed by an offset worm hook.
- Using a treble hook and finding the part of the liver with skin or membrane, wrapping it around the hook shank, and pushing it down over the hook.
- Using a small treble hook for smaller catfish and a circle hook for bigger catfish.
- Wrapping the chicken liver with thread.
- Using a liver hook, which has a treble design with two hooks and a needle in the middle.
Some alternatives to chicken liver include shrimp, anchovies, chicken breast or thigh, gizzards, and hearts.
Chicken liver can be cured with Pro-Cure to add scent and flavour, as well as dry and toughen the liver so that it stays on the hook better. Cured chicken liver can be stored in the fridge for future fishing trips.
Other types of bait, such as salmon eggs, can be kept on the hook by soaking them in salt before use.
When fishing in a river, a circle hook with cheesecloth and liver wrapped in flat, waxed, non-scented dental floss is a good option.










































