I have 50 pounds of "Hen Scratch".
Want to turn it into a good "CHUM" for cat fishing.
Can someone tell me how to do that?
What do I mix with it?
How long does it take for it to sour and be effective?
Do I leave it in a open container or keep it closed with a lid on it? I have a 5 gal. plastic container and have a lid for it.
I have fished for years but not for cat fish so I'm trying to learn?
Your help and input is appreciated.

Batch it out in 5 gallon buckets, half-full of scratch. Add enough water to cover it up, add a cup of sugar and/or a beer. Put a lid on it, but don't seal it. Leave it in a sunny spot. With the cooler temps it'll probably take a bit longer, but give it a few weeks. The smell will tell you it's ready.

It also pays to know what kind of catfish you are gonna want to target! When I have used scratch in the past it led me to alot of channel cats but it didnt do any justice calling in big blues! You might notice that it calls in a bunch of little fish...just a thought

Keep checking the water cause it will get soaked up by the grain

I used to help my friend which was a catfish guide on Squaw Creek years ago. He would mix 50/50 Deer corn & Milo or hen scratch. He would take a 5 gallon bucket and make sure you use a dark colored bucket,for the reason is that it heats up better than a lighter colored bucket does, this ferments ingredients quicker. fill the bucket half way with the ingredients and with water, make sure the water barely covers the top of the ingredients and don't seal the bucket up until its done! In the winter time he would add sugar to accelerate the fermenting process. This type of chumming at Squaw Creek did draw in the little cats.

that reminds me, i have a 5 gallon bucket of this behind the barn.... its gotta be 2 years old now... WHOOOPS!

Sugar and yeast will help speed it up

I use a mixture of wheat and milo following the basic steps mentioned above using 5 gallon buckets. I always add a packet of yeast and a little sugar and have it ready in no more than 2 weeks regardless of the temp. I am curious about the hen scratch, I've never used it.

Put it in a bucket and cover with water. Let it sit out for a long time. When the neighbor lady complains its about ready. Once you get it made up get a wiffle ball bat. Cover the hole on the handle with electrical tape. Cut the other end off. Put a couple skoops in the bat and sling it out there. Bait 3 holes and fish.

What he said!

Hmmm I've got a bucket of milo chum thats been sitting on the other side of my back fence for probley 8-10 years now... Is it safe to use or do i need to call HAZ-MAT to get a crew of professionals to get rid of it?

You could probably call the Department of Defense. They may well want to buy it and use it as some sort of chemical weapon.

So that's what bin ladens weapons of mass destruction were! Buckets of grain...

minced shad..........

Like the idea with the Bat!! I use milk jugs. Cut above the handle 2 shape it like a scoop.Throws pretty good also

Once we got tied off in our area to fish we would use an ice scoop for ice machines. Throw out a couple and get to fishing. If they are in the area they will be there quickly. It won't bring them from long distances so you have to be in an area with catfish.

Would this work in a river also (Sabine) or is it only useful in a lake?

Depends on the current. Find a deep hole with slow moving water. Remember it attracts by smell and will have the greatest effect on fish downstream. That being said, it will work in rivers but it might take a little more trial and error.

some of them carp guys catch more catfish by accident than we do on purpose.......they use fruity or sweet flavored maize - boiled deer corn....I'm fixin' to make a cpl batches of it in different flavors.......