Create Profile or Login

Forum Menu

Home > Forum Home > Saltwater Fishing > Hints,Tips and How To's

Aniseed as a Fish Attractant

  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Aniseed as a Fish Attractant Forum Search Events FAQ FAQRegister RegisterLogin Login

 Post Reply Post Reply
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote JohnnyR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Aniseed as a Fish Attractant
    Posted: 18 Jul 2018 at 9:28pm
JohnnyR View Drop Down
Bronze
Bronze


Joined: 26 Jul 2016
Status: Offline
Points: 13
I've just come back from Australia where I saw burley being sold impregnated with aniseed as a fish attractant.
I haven't seen this in NZ. Has anyone tried it here? I've also heard of fennel being used which I guess has a similar smell to aniseed.  
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Steps Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jul 2018 at 11:05am
Steps View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium


Joined: 14 Oct 2013
Location: Franklin
Status: Offline
Points: 12854
Back in the day.. going backto 50s / to early 70s.. anisseed acka bait soaked in ozo...was occassionaly used.
 From memory, from back in those days aniseed was illegel to use .. hence the bottle of ozo..
 As to working.. dont know.
We gave it try in early to mis 70s.. pre Quoto , pree 200 mile limts when off shore factory ship ringed our coasts, decimated our rec fishing.. the fishing was so bad never seemed to make a difference to our catch.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Wanda_Ra Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jul 2018 at 8:51pm
Wanda_Ra View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 10 May 2008
Location: Cambridge NZ
Status: Offline
Points: 3576
I remember the old fart next door used to swear by it, he also swore by soaking his baits in petrol as well. wasnt often he didnt catch a decent haul of fish though.

Only really sad fact is i am just about to hit 45,still see myself as young and i am 4 years older than the old fart was at that time.
 And that old fart is still fishing,has switched to salted baits instead.
If you think you are too small to make a difference,try sleeping with a mosquito in your tent.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote pjc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jul 2018 at 7:08am
pjc View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 04 Apr 2010
Location: papakura
Status: Offline
Points: 12473
Grandfather swore by liver soaked in kerosene.
Wouldnt use ouzo now days the price of it,waste of good ouzo,afradite ouzo n coke yum.

We tried to buy aniseed back in the late 70s and to no avail from a chemist,he asked what did we want it for,explained possum bait no,you needed a licence /permit.closest we got was aniseed balls.
Sex at 58.Lucky I live at 56
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote letsgetem Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jul 2018 at 9:10am
letsgetem View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 09 Oct 2008
Location: Whangaparaoa
Status: Offline
Points: 3318
I think a berley called Murphys Brew is flavoured with aniseed. I tried it for a while, but didn't think it much good.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Uncle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jul 2018 at 9:19am
Uncle View Drop Down
Moderator - Black Belt
Moderator - Black Belt
Avatar

Joined: 19 Mar 2003
Location: Tauranga, NZ
Status: Offline
Points: 14344
I still have a small bottle of aniseed oilfrom way back.
Have tried it in various ways but can't say it makes any difference.

..but now you got me thinking....
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Muppet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jul 2018 at 9:19am
Muppet View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 26 May 2004
Location: NZ
Status: Offline
Points: 19245
Aniseed is used in coarse fishing as a flavour on maggots, corn etc so yes it is a fish attractant. Whether it is any good on salt species who knows but it probably won't hurt to try. 
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Steps Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jul 2018 at 10:53am
Steps View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium


Joined: 14 Oct 2013
Location: Franklin
Status: Offline
Points: 12854
explained possum bait no,you needed a licence /permit.closest we got was aniseed balls.

 yeah that brings back similar memory Thumbs Up

Back then I worked in the Labs for a major food company... the food flavouring/ herb 'aniseed' is not aniseed but star anise...but the greek ozo was from the aniseed plant.. not the star anise.

You can buy star anise herb. used in cooking.. this flavours the same as aniseed, but different chemical and different plant to what aniseed oils come from 
 And this could be why many have tried it and doesnt work...
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Uncle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jul 2018 at 10:57am
Uncle View Drop Down
Moderator - Black Belt
Moderator - Black Belt
Avatar

Joined: 19 Mar 2003
Location: Tauranga, NZ
Status: Offline
Points: 14344
The stuff I have is the genuine article, aniseed oil, from a chemist shop.
Is only 10mls but it's mighty strong smelling & goes a long way.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Raging Bull Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jul 2018 at 1:20pm
Raging Bull View Drop Down
Moderator - Brown Belt
Moderator - Brown Belt
Avatar
Big Sexy

Joined: 04 Nov 2007
Location: New Zealand
Status: Offline
Points: 5822
Eat loads of asparagus and pee over the side all day, not quite aniseed but apparently asparagus wees does the trick.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Catchelot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jul 2018 at 2:10pm
Catchelot View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 07 Oct 2008
Location: Whanga-Vegas
Status: Offline
Points: 47773
Originally posted by Raging Bull Raging Bull wrote:

Eat loads of asparagus and pee over the side all day, not quite aniseed but apparently asparagus wees does the trick.

You are supposed to soak your bait in it Dave and then get Boulder to cut it up for you.LOL
"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." - Jacques Cousteau
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
Forum Jump
Forum Permissions View Drop Down


This page was generated in 0.404 seconds.

Most Thanked Forum Posts

5 Full circle
4 Manukau Harbour & West Coa...
3 Manukau Harbour & West Coa...
2 2026 Grunter Hunter
2 2026 Grunter Hunter
2 2026 Grunter Hunter
2 Out with the "Twelves&quo...
2 Marine forecast
2 Making Berley
2 Making Berley

Fishing Reports Visit Reports

Saltwater Fishing Reports
Raglan Fishing Report - 25/06/26

Trophy snapper in close The snapper fishing out deeper continues to be the most consistent... Read More >

25 Jun 2026
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Northland Fishing Report - 25/06/26

Swords aboard! With some of the smoothest seas and lowest winds we have seen in... Read More >

25 Jun 2026
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Bay of Islands Fishing Report - 25/06/26

Kingfish and snapper in the bay Having spent the week weighing kingfish, I decided that... Read More >

25 Jun 2026
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Tauranga Fishing Report - 25/06/26

Good variety on offer Great to have a couple of trips after a few quiet... Read More >

25 Jun 2026
Fishing bite times Fishing bite times

Major Bites

Minor Bites

Major Bites

Minor Bites

All information © 2026 The Fishing Website