I just made my first batch of chum last Saturday.. Today (Saturday) it has been fermenting for one week... Out of pure curiosity, I took the lid off today.... I scooped some out to inspect, and of course give it a nose test

Well, after only a few minutes of handling it, I feel like [censored]!.. Mean headache and an uneasy stomach.... I was outside, so ventilation wasn't an issue.... And I don't necessarily have a weak stomach either, punch bait doesn't bother me at all, and this stuff doesn't smell much stronger

Ingredients (5 gallon bucket):
- cracked corn
- 1/2 lb sugar
- 6 small packets of yeast
- water

I have a feeling I used too much yeast... Am I right?.. And could that explain the headache??

You've been gassed.

You made alcohol! I see it advised to add yeast and sugar all the time. From my personal experience I would advise just milo, water, hot sunshine. I've done your method and it never ends up smelling like chum. This time of year chum should be ready in a week or so if you leave out sugar, yeast, beer, etc. Try and see for yourself.

Hmm

I thought that was the point... To make "alcohol", per-say

So, grain can ferment on its own in water?

I've never added sugar to mine and it ferments just fine. I've always used hen scratch or milo and just put it in a five gallon bucket keep it wet and keep it in the sun. Once ripe it will gag a maggot.

No yeast either?

I have noticed when I add fresh milo or wheat to already fermented chum the new stuff seems to take longer to get ripe than starting with dry milo or wheat and water.

glad you weren't smoking when you opened the lid.

I've done it both with and without yeast and couldn't tell a difference. You can also use range cubes as chum with out having to ferment it. Just make sure you get the cubes with 20% protein so it sinks. The range cubes seemed to attract more blue cats and the sour grain seemed to appeal more to the channel cats. At least from what I noticed.

All you need to do is half a five gallon bucket of maze and water. All that other stuff is for fishermen, not catfish.

I use either no yeast or 1 packet of yeast per 5 gallons. The yeast just speed up the process. It will ferment soon enough on its own with sun and warm temps. You don't need sugar, the natural sugar in the maize is enough.

Whole Wheat, Water and time. No yeast needed. The older the better. Only takes a few days when the weather is warm. Just set the bucket out where the sun shines on it. I use those 5 gal home depot buckets with the gasketed lid. 1/3 wheat and fill to 2/3 full with water and less than a week the bucket is plumb full.

Chum a hole with range cubes a few times a week and then go fish with the soured wheat chum.
Catfish train easy when you feed them.

Grain, water and yeast makes beer.

I've got a 5 gallon bucket that's been going for almost 20 years. I'm afraid to open it

Yea, I figured smoking was a bad idea since I'm technically making moonshine

So, question... If all you need is water, grain and heat... Could you make chum in a crock pot??.... Like, for the seasons that don't offer much sunshine??.... And would it be faster?