The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

I recall from my youth in the 70s, my first Saturday job, where in quiet times I would often be chatting “fishing” to one of the old stagers there, as he smoked a woodbine out the back. He would fish whole cherries in the late summer for Chub on the River Wey. I can imagine the wild cherry overhanging the water like elderberries, would be a natural bait - also would make a big splash to interest old leatherchops too.

I wonder if anyone else has tried them? I couldn’t see searching the thread ..

I have no knowledge of the use of cherries as bait, but an old friend of mine swore by blackberries being a cracking chub bait when fished near overhanging brambles at the right time of year and I witnessed some of his catches years back.....

I've never fished any fruit as a bait, yet when you consider the number of fish that are caught on fruit flavoured boilies, you have to wonder why. I found black cherry flavour went down particularly well with tench, so why shouldn't an actual cherry? Same size, same flavour, same colour, a fraction of the price too.

My mum was a great one for rummaging in the family lunch boxes for alternative baits on slow days. I don’t recall cherries but I certainly recall her catching Roach, Rudd, Crucian and Bream on tiny pieces of banana, apple peel, apple, grape, tomato and cucumber.

Phil

I used to know someone who did well with Chub on cherry tomatoes ....

I haven't used cherries but like others have said, should seem to work. I use corn for carp and bream but I have heard you can use cherry tomatoes for grass carp. I would give it a go and post your results!
Cheers

Some amazing replies thank you. We naturally seem to gravitate nowadays to “meaty” “fishy” or “nutty” scents but the whole fruit thing would suggest an area majorly under explored. Whether it’s the sweetness or the visual cues who knows? Food for thought eh ( sorry! )

I had heard that sultana's or raisins were a decent bait but never tried it, thinking about it now i can't see why not

I’ve caught carp on blackberries taken from bushes overhanging lakes. More recently I tried blueberries, these being in my lunch box and having run out of bait. Not much interest shown though, apart from the odd nibble.

I've had some success using glace' cherries as bait on a hair... the only problem was I ate more than the carp did