-
-
-
-
-
Sale
-
-
-
-
Liquid Baits Crawfish Scent
$11.99 -
Liquid Baits Larva Scent
$11.99 -
Liquid Baits Leech Scent
$11.99 -
-
Liquid Baits Shad Scent
$11.99 -
Liquid Baits Willowcat Scent
$11.99
Liquid Baits
LIQUID BAITS / LIQUID WILLOWCAT
Liquid Baits — Real-Scent Soft Plastics & Forage Scents
Centrifugally molded soft plastics infused with real forage scent. Hand-made by a Mississippi River angler who needed a live-bait alternative that actually works.
TAP TO OPEN GUIDE
+
TAP TO OPEN GUIDE
+
Brand Overview — Liquid Baits / Liquid Willowcat
Who Makes These Baits
Liquid Baits was founded by Eric Ingvalson, a commercial fisherman on the Upper Mississippi River. When state regulations made live willowcats increasingly difficult for anglers to obtain legally, he went to work on a solution: a soft plastic bait molded to replicate the look, feel, and movement of a live willowcat, infused with real willowcat scent extracted from legally caught fish.
What started as a workaround for walleye and sauger anglers on the Upper Mississippi has grown into a full lineup of centrifugally molded soft plastics and concentrated forage scents. Every bait is hand-produced in Minnesota, and Qwik Fishing carries the lineup at our Cedar Falls storefront and online marketplace.
What "Centrifugally Molded" Actually Means
Standard injection-molded soft plastics are fast and consistent but tend to produce a denser, stiffer result. Liquid Baits uses a centrifugal molding process where plastic is spun into the mold, producing a lighter, more porous body that holds scent longer and has a softer, more responsive feel at the tail. It also allows real scent to be cooked directly into the bait during production — not applied as a coating after the fact.
The practical difference on the water: the bait moves more naturally at slower presentations, and fish hold on longer before dropping it. That extra second can make all the difference on a drop shot or a dead-stick under the ice.
Who These Baits Are For
Liquid Baits products were designed for walleye and sauger anglers fishing the Upper Mississippi and Minnesota river systems — but they've proven effective across a much wider range of species and water types. The leech profiles catch smallmouth bass, rock bass, crappie, and trout. The willowcat profiles trigger aggressive strikes from walleye, sauger, bass, and even northern pike. The Hellgrammite is a standout bait for smallmouth in rivers. The Goby is a natural fit for Lake Erie and Great Lakes walleye. These are not gimmick baits — they're built around real forage with real scent and they fish like it.
Availability Note: Liquid Baits products may ship from our Cedar Falls, Iowa warehouse or directly from the maker. Most items are stocked, but some may be freshly made to order — allow 2–7 business days for shipment with tracking.
Soft Plastic Baits — Current Lineup
Leech Profiles
Three distinct leech profiles built around centrifugal molding and real leech scent. Each fills a different slot in fall rate, size class, and season.
3.5" Creek Leech
The workhorse. Full-bodied leech profile with a tapered head, segmented midsection, and tapered tail. Pre-loaded with leech scent. The 3.5" length matches the forage profile walleye and sauger are conditioned to at all season. The gold standard for a ball jig head on rocky structure.
View Options →3.5" Ice Hog
Built for ice but lethal year-round. The Ice Hog's squat, compact profile drops fast through the water column and holds position on a jig under the hole. Thicker body than the Creek Leech — displaces more water and triggers aggressive bites from walleye, perch, and crappie that are keyed in on a struggling leech.
View Options →4.5" River Hog Leech
When walleye want something big. The 4.5" River Hog is the oversized leech profile that covers post-spawn walleye, trophy bass, and big-river sauger. Excellent on heavy jig heads in current — the extra length undulates with every pause and telegraphs life to fish even on a dead-drift presentation.
View Options →Leech Profile Quick Reference
| Bait | Size | Best Season | Primary Use | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creek Leech | 3.5" | Open water (all season) | Ball/stand-up jig, drop shot, Carolina rig | Walleye, sauger, bass |
| Ice Hog | 3.5" | Ice + cold-water open water | Jigging spoons, ice jigs, vertical jigs | Walleye, perch, crappie |
| River Hog | 4.5" | Post-spawn, summer, big water | Heavy jig heads, current fishing, Texas rig | Walleye, sauger, bass |
Willowcat Profiles
The original Liquid Willowcat product family. Infused with real willowcat scent, these are the baits that started the whole brand. Two distinct tail designs; same proven scent foundation.
3.5" Original Willowcat
The founding bait. Molded to replicate the body shape, fin placement, and tail taper of a live willowcat. Cooked with real willowcat extract. This is the bait that solves the problem: you can't use live willowcats in most waters, but you can use this. Walleye and sauger treat it like the real thing because as far as their nose is concerned, it is.
View Options →4" Curly Cat Willowcat
All the scent of the Original with a curly tail that generates action even at a dead stop. The curl creates micro-vibrations and erratic tail movement that draws attention from a distance. Fish it on a ball jig in current and the tail thumps constantly without any rod input. A strong choice when you need the bait to work itself.
View Options →Original vs Curly Cat — When to Choose Each
| Condition | Choose Original | Choose Curly Cat |
|---|---|---|
| Current | Moderate current, natural presentation | Heavy current, tail thumps without rod work |
| Retrieve | Slow drags, finesse drop shot | Slow roll, current sweep |
| Water Clarity | Clear to lightly stained | Stained to off-color (more visual stimulus) |
| Pressure | High-pressure, finesse bite | Active feeding, low-pressure aggressive bite |
Other Profiles — Hellgrammite, Goby & Fat Swimmer
Beyond the leeches and willowcats, Liquid Baits produces three specialty profiles that fill very specific roles — and fish them very well.
3.5" Hellgrammite UV
The hellgrammite is one of the most important forage insects in moving water — smallmouth bass, walleye, and rock bass eat them constantly. The UV finish on this bait makes it visible in low-light conditions and deep water where standard colors wash out. Fish it on a light jig head or drop-shot rig in rocky riffle water for smallmouth, or along soft river structure for walleye.
View Options →3.75" Garlic Goby
The round goby has become a dominant forage species in the Great Lakes and connected river systems — and walleye have adjusted their diet accordingly. This 3.75" goby profile comes pre-loaded with garlic scent (a long-proven walleye attractor), molded with a flat-bottom body that orients naturally on the bottom. Drag it along rocky substrate on a light jig head and let it do the work.
View Options →3.8" Fat Swimmer
A compact, thick-bodied paddle-tail swimbait with a wide kick and a tight thumping action. The Fat Swimmer covers water that a slow-roll presentation needs — open flats, drop-offs, and suspended fish. Pair with a ball jig head or underspin. Works well for both walleye and largemouth/smallmouth bass. A versatile bait that produces when fish are actively chasing.
View Options →Specialty Profile — Species & Scenario
| Bait | Best Waters | Primary Species | Key Technique |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hellgrammite UV | Rivers, rocky bottom, riffles | Smallmouth bass, walleye, rock bass | Light jig head, drop shot, river drift |
| Garlic Goby | Great Lakes, lake Erie tributaries, rocky walleye structure | Walleye (primary), smallmouth bass | Drag on bottom, slow lift-drop on rocky flats |
| Fat Swimmer | Open water, flats, drop-offs, lake structure | Walleye, largemouth, smallmouth bass | Steady slow roll, lift-drop, underspin |
Liquid Baits Forage Scents — Full Lineup
About the Scents
Liquid Baits forage scents are concentrated liquid attractants formulated to match real bait species. These are not generic "fish attractant" products — each scent is built around a specific forage, which means you're applying something that matches what fish in your water are actually eating. Apply to any soft plastic, hair jig, blade bait, or live bait to add a scent signature that keeps fish holding longer.
Apply by dipping, injecting into the bag, or rolling bait in the liquid. A little goes a long way — you're adding scent, not marinating the bait.
Crawfish Scent
Matches one of the most universal forage species in freshwater. Excellent on craw-style soft plastics, jig trailers, and any bottom bait presented near rocky structure where bass and walleye hunt crawfish.
Shop →Larva Scent
Built around larva forage — the go-to scent for ice fishing, early season panfish, and finesse presentations where you're matching small invertebrate prey. Outstanding on micro plastics and ice jigs.
Shop →Leech Scent
Concentrated leech extract — the same forage foundation baked into the Creek Leech, Ice Hog, and River Hog. Apply to any leech-style bait for a fresh scent charge, or add it to a worm or finesse bait to shift it toward a leech profile.
Shop →Nightcrawler Scent
Nightcrawler is one of the oldest and most proven fish-catching scents in freshwater. Works across nearly every species and every season. Apply to worms, creature baits, grubs, or any presentation where a natural bottom-foraging scent makes sense.
Shop →Shad Scent
Shad is the primary forage species for walleye, pike, and bass across the Upper Midwest. Add it to paddle-tail swimbaits, shad-profile baits, or any presentation when fish are keyed into baitfish. Excellent on the Fat Swimmer and other swimming profiles.
Shop →Willowcat Scent
The original Liquid Willowcat formula — real willowcat extract. Apply to any soft plastic to give it the scent signature of a live willowcat. Use on the Original Willowcat or Curly Cat to refresh scent after multiple fish, or apply to other baits when willowcat is the local forage.
Shop →Scent Pairing Guide
| Scent | Natural Pairing | Surprise Pairing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crawfish | Craw-style soft plastics, jig trailers | Hellgrammite UV (similar bottom-dwelling cue) | Bass, walleye in rocky structure |
| Larva | Ice jigs, micro plastics, small panfish rigs | Creek Leech (finesse walleye on hard-fished water) | Ice fishing, panfish, crappie |
| Leech | Creek Leech, Ice Hog, River Hog | Any worm or creature bait fished slow | Walleye, sauger, bass |
| Nightcrawler | Worm profiles, finesse baits | Fat Swimmer (when fish are in crawler mode) | Panfish, bass, walleye — all season |
| Shad | Fat Swimmer, swimbaits | River Hog (big leech in baitfish forage zones) | Walleye, pike, bass in open water |
| Willowcat | Original & Curly Cat Willowcat | Any river bait for Mississippi/Minnesota walleye | Walleye, sauger — Mississippi River systems |
Tip: Store scent bottles upright in a cool location. Between trips, store your scented plastics in the original packaging — they'll stay charged longer sealed in the bag than loose in a tray. A quick dip before your first cast of the day refreshes the scent signature even on a bait that's been in the bag since last season.
Which Liquid Bait Should I Use? — Decision Guide
Start With Your Target Species
I'm Targeting Walleye or Sauger
- River fishing, slower presentation: Original Willowcat or Creek Leech on a ball jig head, 1/8–1/4 oz. depending on current. Willowcat for Mississippi River fish, Creek Leech universally.
- Current fishing, need action without rod work: Curly Cat Willowcat — the curl thumps in moving water.
- Big river, post-spawn, or big-water walleye: River Hog Leech on a heavier jig, drag and pause along structure.
- Great Lakes / Lake Erie / goby country: Garlic Goby, drag on rocky bottom, light jig head.
- Ice fishing: Ice Hog on a small jigging spoon or ice jig, vertical presentation.
- Suspended fish, finesse bite, post-front: Creek Leech on a drop shot rig, 8–14" leader, dead-stick.
- Active bite, covering water: Fat Swimmer on a ball jig head, slow-roll retrieve.
I'm Targeting Smallmouth Bass
- River / rocky bottom: Hellgrammite UV on a light jig head (1/16–1/8 oz.), drag along rocky riffle substrate.
- Natural lake: Creek Leech or River Hog on a drop shot or jig, rocky points and drop-offs.
- Covering water / active fish: Fat Swimmer on a 3/16 oz. ball jig head, slow roll along weed edges.
I'm Targeting Largemouth Bass
- Flats and drop-offs: Fat Swimmer on a ball jig or underspin, slow roll.
- Structure, cover: Creek Leech on a Texas rig, weedless through mixed cover.
I'm Ice Fishing
- Walleye: Ice Hog, jigging spoon tipped, or on a small swim jig head.
- Perch / crappie: Ice Hog on a small teardrop or Swedish pimple. Add Larva Scent for hesitant fish.
Start With Your Water Condition
| Water | First Choice | Second Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear, calm | Creek Leech (natural colors) | Original Willowcat | Natural profile + scent does the work; less is more |
| Stained / off-color | Curly Cat (high-contrast colors) | River Hog (larger silhouette) | More visual and vibrational stimulus for reduced visibility |
| Fast current | Curly Cat Willowcat | River Hog Leech | Tail action doesn't require rod work; scent washes downstream |
| Rocky bottom / river | Hellgrammite UV | Garlic Goby | Matches what fish are actually picking off the rocks |
| Open water / suspended fish | Fat Swimmer | Creek Leech (drop shot) | Fat Swimmer covers water; drop shot puts scent in the zone and holds |
| Ice, vertical | Ice Hog | Creek Leech (finesse) | Ice Hog designed for vertical jigging; compact profile drops clean |
Default rule: When you're not sure, start with the Creek Leech on a 1/8 oz. ball jig head, natural color, slow drag and pause. It's the most versatile bait in the lineup and will tell you quickly whether fish are feeding and on what. Adjust from there.
Rigging — How to Fish Every Bait
Standard (Ball) Jig Head — The Foundation
The default setup for the entire Liquid Baits lineup. Thread the bait straight on a round or stand-up jig head. Nose-hook it through the tip of the head; thread it straight so the body hangs true. Walleye prefer the bait sitting slightly tail-up, so a stand-up jig head can be worth the upgrade on flat, sandy, or rocky structure.
- Weight: 1/16 oz. — calm water, shallow structure, dead-stick finesse. 1/8 oz. — most situations, the universal starting weight. 1/4 oz. — current fishing, deeper structure, faster descent needed.
- Hook size: #1 or #2 for 3.5" baits. 1/0 for the 4.5" River Hog and 4" Curly Cat.
- Retrieve: Cast, let it sink to bottom (count it down), then slow drag with deliberate pauses. Allow 2–4 full seconds on every pause — walleye often bite on the pause, not the move.
- Line: 8–10 lb. fluorocarbon straight through, or 10–15 lb. braid with 8–10 lb. fluorocarbon leader. Fluorocarbon is preferred in clear water.
Drop Shot Rig — Finesse & Suspended Fish
The most effective setup for suspended walleye, post-front pressure, and heavily fished water. Nose-hook the bait through the nose to allow free horizontal movement, or hook through the center of the body for a more vertical hang. Use a Palomar knot to the hook, leaving 8–14" of tag end for your leader to the weight.
- Best baits: Creek Leech (primary), Ice Hog, Hellgrammite UV.
- Weight: 1/8–3/8 oz. drop shot weight, adjusted for depth and current.
- Technique: Hold position with the weight on bottom. Shake gently with wrist action, then dead-stick for 10–20 seconds. The scent does the work during the pause.
- Where: Main lake breaks, suspended walleye marks on sonar, deep summer structure, rocky points in high-pressure conditions.
Carolina Rig — Covering Ground
Effective for locating fish on expansive flats, main lake points, and hard-bottom areas. Allows the bait to move independently of the sinker, creating a natural free-swimming action on the drag. The scent trails naturally behind the weight as you move.
- Best baits: Creek Leech, Original Willowcat, Fat Swimmer.
- Setup: 1/4–1/2 oz. sliding sinker, swivel, 12–24" fluorocarbon leader, light wire hook.
- Technique: Slow drag along bottom, pause, count to 3, drag again. Feel for the thump of structure change — that's where fish hold.
Texas Rig — Weedless Presentations
When you need to fish through weeds, submerged wood, or mixed cover without hanging up. Light wire offset hook, minimal weight — just enough to get the bait down. Best for situations where walleye or bass are buried in cover and won't commit to a moving bait.
- Best baits: Creek Leech, Original Willowcat, River Hog Leech.
- Weight: 1/16–3/16 oz. bullet weight. Peg it if you want the bait tight to cover; leave it sliding for a slower fall.
- Technique: Pitch or flip to the edge of cover. Let it fall, then crawl slowly through the pocket. Pause in openings.
Slow Roll — Fat Swimmer & Swimbaits
The Fat Swimmer is built for a steady, slow-roll retrieve that keeps the paddle tail thumping through the strike zone. Pair it with a 3/16 or 1/4 oz. round jig head, cast to structure, and retrieve slow enough that you can just feel the kick of the tail. Vary depth with your rod angle — tip up to keep it shallower, tip down to dig it closer to bottom.
Ice Jigging — Ice Hog Setup
The Ice Hog is designed for vertical jigging through the ice. Tip a jigging spoon with the Ice Hog, or use it on a small ball jig head fished vertically below a bobber for suspended crappie. Work it with a lift-drop motion, pausing between 3–5 seconds at depth. Dead-stick a second rod with a Creek Leech or Ice Hog at the zone where fish are marking — often the larger fish won't commit to the aggressive presentation but will pick up the dead bait.
Scent refreshing: After 3–5 fish, or after a long soak in cold water, the surface scent on these baits can wash off. Carry a bottle of the matching Liquid Baits scent (Leech Scent for leeches, Willowcat Scent for willowcats) and re-dip periodically. You'll notice the difference in how long fish hold before dropping the bait.
For general rig guides and diagrams, visit Qwik Fishing's Rigging Guide →
Why Qwik Fishing Carries Liquid Baits
What Makes This Brand Different
Qwik Fishing is a marketplace for small-batch, angler-made baits — the kind of stuff that doesn't show up on a shelf at a big box store. Liquid Baits fits that mission exactly. These are not products scaled for mass retail. They're built by a commercial fisherman on the Mississippi River who needed a better bait and figured out how to make one — and he still makes every bait himself.
The centrifugal molding process, the real-extract scent integration, the specific forage profiles — these aren't marketing decisions. They're production decisions made by someone who fishes these waters and understands what fish in this region are eating. That's the difference between a bait that catches fish here and a national brand's best guess.
What Anglers Are Saying
"You can't use live willowcats in most places — but you can use these. And they flat out catch fish."
"One of the few scented plastics I've used where the smell actually matters — fish hold on these longer than anything else in my box."
"The hellgrammite is straight up one of the best river smallmouth baits I've ever fished. Doesn't look like much in the bag, in the water it's a different story."
A Note on the Product Line
We've curated the Liquid Baits products we believe deliver the most consistent value for Midwest anglers — the leech family, the willowcat profiles, the specialty baits (Hellgrammite, Goby, Fat Swimmer), and the full scent lineup. If there's a Liquid Baits product you want to see at Qwik Fishing, let us know — we track customer requests when making stocking decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions — Liquid Baits
What is a willowcat and why does the scent matter?
A willowcat (also called a stonecat or willow catfish) is a small, freshwater catfish species native to Upper Midwest river systems — particularly the Mississippi River corridor. They live under rocks in shallow riffles and are a primary forage fish for walleye and sauger in these systems. In parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin, regulations restrict their use as live bait. Liquid Willowcat was built to solve that problem: real willowcat scent, legally extracted, integrated into a soft plastic that matches the bait's profile. Fish that have been feeding on willowcats recognize the scent immediately.
What does "centrifugally molded" mean, and does it actually matter?
Centrifugal molding spins plastic into a mold rather than injecting it under pressure. The result is a softer, more porous plastic body that absorbs and holds scent longer, and has a more responsive, lifelike feel at the tail. For finesse walleye fishing where fish hold the bait briefly before dropping it, the softer material gives you an extra half-second of commitment time. It also means the scent that's cooked into the bait during production stays in the plastic rather than washing off after a few casts.
Why choose the Creek Leech over a traditional plastic leech like a Gulp leech?
The Creek Leech is made from the same centrifugally molded soft plastic as the rest of the Liquid Baits lineup, with real leech scent cooked in during production. It's a regional, small-batch bait built around the specific forage preferences of Midwest walleye and sauger. It also holds its shape better than some water-soluble baits and can be used and reused across multiple fish before needing replacement. Personal preference plays a role — try both and let the fish tell you.
How long does the scent last on each bait?
Because the scent is cooked into the plastic rather than surface-applied, it releases gradually through the body of the bait. Most anglers notice strong scent for the first several fish, then a gradual tapering off. After 3–5 fish, or after a long soak, apply a fresh dose from the matching Liquid Baits scent bottle to recharge the bait. A scented bag will hold charge longer than a bait stored loose in a tray — keep your extras in the original bag between uses.
What's the difference between the Original Willowcat and the Curly Cat?
Both baits use the same willowcat scent and body material. The Original has a flat, naturally tapered tail that moves with subtle rod input — it's the finesse choice and the better option in clear water or post-front pressure. The Curly Cat has a curled tail that generates action automatically in current or on a steady retrieve. Use the Curly Cat in moving water or when you want the bait to produce without constant rod work. Use the Original when you want precise control over the presentation.
Can I use these baits for bass fishing?
Yes — the Creek Leech, River Hog Leech, and Hellgrammite UV are all highly effective smallmouth bass baits, especially in river systems where these forage species overlap. The Hellgrammite UV is a standout for smallmouth in rocky rivers. The Fat Swimmer catches both largemouth and smallmouth on a slow-roll presentation. The willowcat profiles are less commonly used for bass but will catch them in Mississippi River systems where bass and willowcats coexist.
What jig head weight should I start with?
Start with 1/8 oz. in most situations — it's the universal starting point that covers most water depths and current conditions. Move down to 1/16 oz. for very shallow water, slow presentations, or cold-water finesse fishing where you need a slow fall. Move up to 1/4 oz. in current, deeper structure, or when fish are holding tight to bottom and need the bait to get down fast.
How do I use the scents — do I just dip the bait?
Dipping works well — just submerge the bait in the bottle or roll it in your palm with a few drops of scent. You can also add a capful to your bait storage bag and let the plastic absorb it overnight. A light application goes a long way. Don't saturate the bait — you want a scent trail, not a puddle. For soft plastics that have been used several times, re-apply between fish after you've noticed bites tapering off.
Do you carry the full Liquid Baits lineup?
We carry the baits and scents listed on this page — the Creek Leech, Ice Hog, River Hog Leech, Original Willowcat, Curly Cat, Hellgrammite UV, Garlic Goby, Fat Swimmer, and all six scent variants. If you're looking for something specific that isn't listed, contact us and we'll let you know if it's something we can add.
How long does shipping take on Liquid Baits products?
Most items ship from our Cedar Falls, Iowa warehouse with standard lead times. Some Liquid Baits products are made to order — allow 2–7 business days for shipment with tracking. All orders over $50 ship free. Flat-rate shipping is $5.99 for orders below that threshold.
Related Categories
This guide covers Liquid Baits products currently available at Qwik Fishing. Product availability, scent stock, and bait colors may vary seasonally. This is a working brand page — we update it as new products are added.
