I've had mine out for about a week now and it smells a little fermented but that's about it. Well, it's got a nice fur coat going, too. It's not like I can smell it from several feet away, though. Am I looking for a really strong poopy-like stench to know it's ready?

Also, when you put the grain out, are the catfish attracted to the smell, the grain or do they show up to eat smaller fish that show up?

Thanks!

When I did mine in the summer it made you want to gag. It may not smell that strong because we haven't had any hot days. The cats are attracted to the smell/scent.

if your nose is within a couple feet of open-air-contact, and you dont immediately want to hurl, it aint ready...

in reality.... once its soured a couple weeks or so, its good enough. but it sure smells like hell.

when you take a wiff and your toenails curl its ready

Not poop exactly, but it's a strong smell. You'll know it when you smell it. Doesn't sound like yours is ready yet. With the weasther being so cool, it might take 2-3 weeks for it to get up to its full potential. The catfish will be attracted to the grain itself. Sometimes when you catch them, they'll be throwing it up.

OK, thanks. Sounds like it's not ripe yet.

When your eyes water because it smells like a back end of a gorilla booty its ready.

growing up I used to bet my cousin a buck he couldnt keep his face in the drum for 5 minutes....sometimes my watch was slow...but I sure got a laugh out of it..

put a few shad in there and a little water....

Cheap hot beer works good too in speeding it along.

"Well, it's got a nice fur coat going, too. "

WTH......First off, is the grain completely covered with water?
Did you add 1 beer to mixture? This will speed up ferminting process.

Grain needs to be about 2" below the waterline, in the heat of the summer takes about a week to 10 days to get "RIPE", never made any during this time of year, but best guess would be several weeks because it is not really hot enough yet

I've never done this before, what is the recipe? Thanks

Kelly

all these are good comments.... i have a bucket thats over a year old, i just added a little water to moisten it and let'er rip! stinks to high holy hell!!!!! just the way the fish like it!

The fur (mold) is floating on top of the water. May have to go get some cheap beer. Not sure I can waste a Shiner Frost on grain.

BTW - is it not supposed to get moldy?

That smell can not, I say can not be described,lol
Happy fishing ,