Why Clove Is the Unsung Hero of Fishing Lures (Spoiler: Fish Don’t Actually Eat It!)
Let me start with a hot take: If you think fish are chowing down on clove buds like they’re snacking on popcorn, you’re dead wrong. I used to believe that too-until I wasted a whole jar of cloves on a bait mix that just… sat there. Turns out, fish don’t care about munching cloves. What they go crazy for is that sweet, fermented wild fruit wine scent cloves give off! It’s like nature’s fish magnet.
Think about it: All those sweet wines and rice wines we mix into bait? We’re just copying clove’s vibe. But here’s the kicker-clove oil and clove wine do it way better. They’re stronger, more concentrated, and way easier to use. No more messing with messy wine-soaked rice or over-sweetening your mix. These two are the real MVPs of fishing lures, hands down.
DIY Clove Oil: Step-by-Step (No Fancy Tools Needed… Mostly)
Making clove oil sounds intimidating, but trust me-I’m not a chemist, and I pulled it off. Let’s break it down.
What You’ll Need (Gather These First!)
- Whole male cloves (not the ground stuff-ground cloves are useless here!)
- High-quality cooking oil (I used peanut oil, but vegetable oil works too)
- A stainless steel bowl (for heating-no plastic, please!)
- An electric oven (a stovetop works, but oven is easier for control)
- A glass jar with a tight lid (to store the finished oil)
- A kitchen scale (to measure oil and cloves-precision matters!)
Pro tip: Male cloves are key. They have a stronger scent than female ones. I learned that the hard way when I used random cloves from the grocery store and got weak oil. Splurge on good male cloves-your catch will thank you.
Step 1: Measure Your Ingredients
First, weigh your oil. I used 200g of peanut oil (about 1 cup). Then weigh your cloves-10g is perfect for that amount of oil. Trust the ratio here: too many cloves make the oil bitter, too few make it weak. I messed up the ratio once and got oil that smelled like… nothing. Don’t be me.
Step 2: Combine Cloves and Oil
Put the cloves in the stainless steel bowl, then pour the oil over them. Stir gently to make sure all cloves are submerged. No need to overmix-just get them wet.
Step 3: Bake It (Yes, Bake!)
Preheat your oven to 120°C (250°F). Pop the bowl in and let it bake for 1.5 hours. Set a timer-don’t forget it like I did! I left mine in for 2 hours once, and the oil smelled burnt. Not good.
What’s happening here? The heat pulls the essential oil out of the cloves and into the cooking oil. It’s like infusing tea, but for fish.
Step 4: Strain and Store
Once it’s done, let the bowl cool completely (don’t burn yourself!). Strain the oil through a fine sieve or cheesecloth into your glass jar. Toss the used cloves-they’ve given their all. Seal the jar tight, and store it in a cool, dark place. It’ll last for months!
DIY Clove Wine: Even Easier (I Promise)
If clove oil felt like a project, clove wine is a lazy Sunday activity. No heating, no straining-just mix and wait.
What You’ll Need
- Whole male cloves (same as before-quality counts!)
- Chinese rice wine (or any low-alcohol rice wine-avoid strong spirits like vodka)
- A glass jar with a tight lid (sterilize it first-boil it for 5 minutes)
- A kitchen scale (again, precision!)
Step 1: Measure and Mix
Weigh your rice wine-I used 500ml (about 2 cups). Then weigh 20g of cloves. Pour the wine into the jar, add the cloves, and seal it tight. Shake it a little to mix.
Step 2: Wait (The Hardest Part)
Put the jar in a cool, dark place and leave it for at least 3 days. I waited 5 days for extra strength. Every day, give it a quick shake-this helps the cloves infuse faster.
Step 3: Done! (Seriously, That’s It)
After 3+ days, your clove wine is ready. No straining needed-just keep the cloves in the jar (they’ll keep infusing). It’ll last for up to a year if stored properly.
How to Use Clove Oil and Wine (Maximize Your Catch!)
Now for the fun part: using these bad boys. Here’s how to get the most out of them.
1. Add to Commercial Bait
Just mix 2% clove oil or wine into 98% commercial bait. That’s it! For example, if you have 100g of bait, add 2g of oil or 2ml of wine. Don’t overdo it-too much will repel fish. I made that mistake once and watched fish swim away from my bait. Oops.
2. Soak Live Bait in Clove Oil
This is my go-to trick. Take live bait like earthworms, red worms, shrimp, or insects, and soak them in clove oil for 30 minutes. The oil penetrates the bait, making it smell irresistible. Even fish that don’t usually eat live bait will take a bite! Clove oil works way better than clove wine here-trust me, I tested both.
Final Thoughts (From One Angler to Another)
Making your own clove oil and wine is not just about saving money-it’s about knowing exactly what’s in your bait. No weird additives, no mystery ingredients. Plus, there’s something satisfying about catching a big fish with a lure you made yourself.
I’ve used these on lakes, rivers, and even ponds, and the results speak for themselves. More bites, bigger fish, and less frustration. If you’re tired of mediocre bait mixes, give this a try. You won’t regret it.
Now go grab some cloves and start mixing. Your next big catch is waiting!
