Baoshi Fishing Method: The Game-Changer for Big Catches in Lakes & Reservoirs
Okay, let’s cut to the chase—if you’ve ever fished in lakes or reservoirs and thought, “Why am I not catching more big fish?” or “Ugh, these tiny bait-stealing fish are ruining everything,” then the Baoshi fishing method might just be your new best friend. I’m not kidding. This isn’t some fancy, overcomplicated trick; it’s a science-backed approach that’s taken wild fishing by storm, and once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever fished without it.
What Exactly Is the Baoshi Fishing Method?
First off, let’s clear up any confusion. Baoshi isn’t just another “throw a bunch of bait and hope” technique. It’s a smart method that blends attraction and catching into one—no separate “baiting the area” and “fishing” steps. Here’s the breakdown: it uses two layers of bait: an outer bait and a core bait.
- The outer bait is designed to dissolve quickly in water, creating a cloud of scent and tiny particles that draws fish from far away (that’s the “attraction” part).
- The core bait is sticky and stays on your hook longer, acting as the actual “bait” the fish will bite (that’s the “catching” part).
Think of it like this: you’re not just putting a hook with a worm in the water—you’re sending out a “come eat here!” signal that leads fish right to your hook. It’s genius, really.
Why Baoshi Crushes Traditional Fishing Methods
Let’s be real—traditional fishing has its flaws. You spend 20 minutes mixing up a big batch of bait, throw it out to “chum” the area, then wait… and wait… and wait. Sometimes fish never show up, or when they do, they’re spooked by your plain old hook. Baoshi fixes all that. Here’s how it stacks up:
1. No More “Hit or Miss” Baiting
Traditional methods rely on you guessing where fish are and throwing a ton of bait there. But Baoshi is active—every cast is both baiting and fishing. The outer layer dissolves as it sinks, creating a “trail” that leads fish straight to your hook. No more wasting bait on empty spots!
2. Fish Don’t Get Spooked
Ever noticed how fish will swim right past your hook if it looks “weird”? With Baoshi, the outer bait covers the hook completely at first. As it dissolves, the core bait slowly becomes visible—so fish don’t see a “foreign object” suddenly appearing. It’s like a natural snack popping up, not a trap.
3. Bye-Bye, Bait-Stealing Pests
This is my favorite part. If you’ve ever had tiny fish (like minnow or small bass) steal your bait before it even hits the bottom, Baoshi is a lifesaver. The outer layer dissolves fast, so those little guys get full on the tiny particles and leave your core bait alone. The big fish? They’ll swim through the cloud of outer bait to get to the more substantial core—perfect for targeting the giants you actually want.
My Real-Life Baoshi Win (Yes, I’m Bragging a Little)
Let me tell you about the time Baoshi saved my fishing trip. Last “May Day” (that’s a big holiday in China, but the struggle is universal), I was fishing with the “Jialing River Team” at a spot called Shuangfeng. The water was way too deep, and every single cast—every single one—was getting “intercepted” by redtail fish before my bait even hit the bottom. I was this close to packing up and going home.
Then I remembered: Baoshi. I grabbed some corn kernels for the core bait (big fish love corn!) and a pre-made bait mix for the outer layer. Here’s what happened next:
- I tied a small corn kernel to my hook (core bait).
- Wrapped it in the outer bait mix, squeezed it into a tight ball (about the size of a grape).
- Cast it out as gently as possible (no jerky moves—you don’t want the outer layer to fall off mid-cast).
Thirty minutes later? Boom. I reeled in two big fish—both over 10 pounds (okay, fine, “two double-digit beauties” as we say in fishing circles). The rest of the team was still struggling with redtails, and I was over here grinning like an idiot. That’s the power of Baoshi.
How to Master Baoshi: Step-by-Step (No Fancy Gear Needed)
You don’t need a closet full of expensive tackle to do Baoshi. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be catching more fish in no time:
1. Pick the Right Bait for the Job
First rule: match the bait to the fish you want to catch. Let’s break it down:
Core Bait (Sticky, Stays on the Hook)
- Corn kernels (great for carp, catfish, and big bass).
- Wheat gluten (super sticky—perfect for slow-dissolving water).
- Worms (but only if you’re targeting smaller fish; big fish prefer corn or gluten).
Outer Bait (Dissolves Fast, Smells Good)
- Fried wheat bran (smells amazing—fish go crazy for it).
- Rapeseed cake (natural, earthy scent—great for lakes).
- Cornmeal (mix with a little water to make a crumbly paste).
- Store-bought bait mixes (look for ones labeled “high dispersion” or “fast dissolve”).
Pro tip: The outer bait should be dry enough to hold its shape but wet enough to dissolve in 1-2 minutes. If it’s too wet, it’ll fall off the hook before it sinks. If it’s too dry, it won’t create that attractive cloud.
2. Tie It Up (The Easy Way)
Here’s the exact way I do it—no fancy knots needed:
- Take your core bait (e.g., a corn kernel) and tie it to your hook with a simple fishing knot (like a clinch knot).
- Pinch off a small ball of outer bait (about the size of a marble—bigger if you’re fishing in super deep water).
- Flatten the outer bait into a small pancake in your palm.
- Place the hook with the core bait in the center of the pancake.
- Fold the edges of the pancake over the hook, squeezing tightly to make a ball. Make sure there are no gaps—you want the core bait completely covered at first.
3. Cast Like a Pro (No Jerky Moves!)
This is crucial: if you cast too hard, the outer bait will fall off mid-air, and you’ll just be fishing with a plain old hook. Here’s how to do it right:
- Hold your rod with both hands (one near the reel, one near the tip).
- Swing the rod back slowly, then forward in a smooth arc—don’t jerk it.
- Let the bait sink naturally. Don’t reel it in until you feel a tug (that’s the fish biting the core bait).
Baoshi vs. Suspended Float Fishing: Which Is Better?
Now, some of you might be thinking, “What about suspended float fishing? That’s supposed to be good for deep water.” Let’s compare—Baoshi wins, hands down.
Suspended float fishing uses a bait that hangs in the water column, but if the bait dissolves too fast, you end up with a bare hook (no bait, no fish). With Baoshi, even if the outer layer dissolves completely, the core bait is still on the hook. You don’t have to reel in and re-bait every 2 minutes—you can keep fishing, and the core bait will still attract big fish.
I’ve tried both, and Baoshi gives me way more consistent catches. Suspended float fishing is great for some situations, but Baoshi is the MVP for lakes and reservoirs.
Final Thoughts: Is Baoshi Worth the Extra Step?
Let’s be honest—Baoshi adds one extra step to your fishing routine: wrapping the outer bait around the core. But is it worth it? Absolutely. The extra 30 seconds per cast translates to more big fish, less wasted bait, and way less frustration with tiny pests.
Last week, I took my dad fishing at a local reservoir. He’s been fishing for 40 years and swears by traditional methods. I showed him Baoshi, and by the end of the day, he’d caught three carp over 15 pounds. He kept saying, “I can’t believe how easy this is!”
So if you’re tired of going home empty-handed, or if you just want to catch bigger fish, give Baoshi a try. It’s not magic—it’s just smart fishing. And hey, if you have a Baoshi success story, drop it in the comments below—I’d love to hear it!

