How to Know What Bait to Use When Fishing

Going fishing? The bait you choose is crucial. It can mean the difference between catching lots of fish or going home with nothing. In this guide, we'll show you how to pick the right bait for any kind of fishing situation. Get ready to learn simple tips that will help you catch more fish, whether you're by a quiet lake or out at sea.

What Do Fish Like to Eat?

When you're trying to catch fish, it's like inviting them to dinner. You've got to serve up their favorite meal if you want them to RSVP 'yes'. Different fish have different tastes, depending on where they live and what's naturally on the menu there. Some are picky eaters; others aren't so fussy. In this section, we'll look at what's for dinner in the worlds of freshwater fish and saltwater fish, so you can fill your tackle box with the right goodies.

Fish Diets: Freshwater vs. Saltwater

Seasons Change, So Does the Menu

Fish diets can shift with the seasons. During the spring and summer, when water temperatures rise, fish metabolize food faster because they're more active. They're also often taking care of their young, which means they need more food. That's why many fish go after high-protein snacks like smaller fish or insects during these warmer months—they provide a bigger energy boost.

As the water cools down in fall and winter, fish slow down and don't need to eat as much. They might switch to foods that are easier to find and require less energy to chase, like plants or slower-moving creatures. If it's warm, go for something lively and protein-rich. If it's cold, consider bait that's more plant-based or mimics the slower creatures fish would be hunting. Keeping these tips in mind will put you one step closer to a successful catch.

What Kind of Bait Should You Use?

Choosing the right type of bait is crucial for your fishing success. From wriggling live bait to strategically chosen artificial lures, each has its time and place.

1. Live Bait: The Natural Choice

The use of living creatures like worms, minnows, and insects as bait is probably what comes to mind first when you think of fishing. It's a natural choice since they're already part of the fish's diet.

Advantages of Live Bait:

• Highly effective because it moves and smells like the prey fish are used to eating.
• Can be more attractive to fish due to their natural appearance and behavior.

Disadvantages of Live Bait:

• Can require more effort to obtain and keep alive.
• Some fishing spots have regulations against using certain types of live bait.
• Live bait works best when you match it to what the fish in your chosen spot are already hunting for.

2. Dead or Cut Bait: The Convenient Alternative

Sometimes, the logistics of maintaining live bait aren't practical. That's where dead or cut bait comes in - pieces of fish or seafood that can still be very appealing to many fish species.

When to Use Dead or Cut Bait:

• When live bait isn't available or allowed.
• In colder waters where fish are less active and may not chase live prey.

Storing and Presenting Cut Bait:

• Store cut bait in a cool, insulated container to keep it fresh.
• Make sure it's secured firmly to the hook so it doesn't wash away easily.

3. Artificial Lures: The Versatile Option

Artificial lures come in countless shapes, sizes, and colors. They're designed to mimic the look and movement of fish prey, making them a versatile option in many fishing scenarios.

Types of Artificial Lures:

• Plastics (soft baits like worms or grubs)
• Spinners that create vibration in the water
• Crankbaits designed to look like small fish

When Artificial Lures Shine:

• In areas with heavy fishing pressure where fish may become wary of live bait.
• When targeting fish known to respond well to visual cues like bass.

What Bait Works Best Where You're Fishing?

The environment you’re fishing in is like the dining room for fish, and just as we have different meals for different occasions, so do fish. Choosing bait that fits the environment can greatly increase your chances of a good catch.

Match Your Bait to Freshwater Feasts

Freshwater fish thrive on a varied diet, often including insects, crustaceans, and smaller fish. When selecting bait for rivers, lakes, and streams, consider what the fish are naturally eating there.

Tailor Bait to Saltwater Dining Habits

Saltwater fish generally hunt for baitfish, crustaceans, and other sea creatures. Whether you're fishing off the shore or venturing into the deep sea, your bait needs to suit these preferences.

Choose Suitable Flies by Fish and Flow

Fly fishing requires an understanding of both the fish you're targeting and the water conditions. Flies need to mimic the local insects and aquatic life that fish feed on.

How Do Fish Senses Affect Bait Choice?

Bait Smell Attracts Fish

Fish have a keen sense of smell, which they use to seek out prey, especially in murky waters where visibility is low. Scented baits and attractants can make your bait more appealing and are particularly effective for species like catfish and carp that depend highly on their olfactory abilities.

Color and Motion Catch the Eye

The visual appeal of bait is crucial in clear water where fish can see well. Bright colors can draw attention, while natural hues blend in with the environment. The size and shape of the bait should mimic real prey to convince fish to bite.

Noise and Movement Signal Prey

In deeper or muddier waters, sound and vibration can be more important than visual details. Lures that emit vibrations or noises can mimic the movement of prey, attracting species such as bass that are attuned to these cues.

No Luck Fishing? Switch Your Bait

If you're not getting bites, it's time to try something else. For example, if live minnows aren't attracting fish in slow-moving water, switch to fake ones that wiggle like real fish. In dark or muddy water, use lures that are bright and easy to see. Mixing up your baits could be just the trick you need to catch more fish.

Method 1: Mix It Up for More Fish

Be bold in shaking up your bait routine. If nightcrawlers aren't enticing bass today, perhaps plastic frogs will tomorrow. And what entices a pike in a northern lake may differ vastly from what tempts a trout in a mountain stream. Variety is key—if the fish aren't biting, change your offer.

Examples:

• Monday: Used nightcrawlers, caught 2 bass
• Tuesday: Switched to plastic frogs, no bites by noon; swapped to crankbaits, caught 5 bass in the evening

Method 2: Log and Learn

A detailed logbook is the angler's secret weapon. Jot down the success of stink baits versus cheese baits on a hot summer evening or compare the effectiveness of saltwater flies against cut bait during a coastal morning tide. Spotting trends over time sharpens your bait selection, turning guesses into strategies.

Examples:

• Recorded using stink baits on July 14th – resulted in 3 catfish within an hour.
• Compared morning fishing with saltwater flies (August 5th, 2 redfish) against cut bait (August 12th, 4 redfish).

Method 3: Watch, Wait, and Adapt

With each new bait, exercise patience. Cast a spoon lure with rhythmic retrieval and see if it outperforms the stillness of a jig. Watch the water's response to a topwater plug's disturbance. Does it draw curious bass? These observations are priceless, steering your future tactics towards those moments of triumph with rod and reel.

Examples:

• Observed that a spoon lure retrieved slowly attracted more attention from pike than a fast retrieve.
• Noticed that topwater plugs caused bass to strike when fished over weed beds, but not in open water.

Choosing the Right Fishing Bait

To catch fish consistently, it's all about selecting the right bait. It's simple: use what the fish are eating, consider how they hunt, and pick your bait based on the spot you're fishing. If what you're using isn't working, switch it up. Keep a record of your tries to see what works best and always be patient. Every cast is a chance to learn something that brings you closer to the thrill of a catch.