Different Types of Baits

1. Live Baits

These are natural and typically more appealing to fish due to scent and movement.

• Worms (Nightcrawlers, Red Wigglers): Versatile and widely used for freshwater fishing.
• Minnows: Excellent for targeting larger predator fish like bass, pike, and walleye.
• Leeches: Popular in freshwater, especially for walleye.
• Crickets/Grasshoppers: Effective for panfish and trout.
• Shrimp: Used in both saltwater and freshwater for species like catfish and redfish.

Designed to imitate live bait or provoke reaction strikes.

• Soft Plastics: Worms, grubs, and creature baits that mimic the look and movement of prey.
• Spinnerbaits: Use flashy spinning blades to attract fish through vibration and light.
• Crankbaits: Hard-bodied lures designed to dive and mimic small fish.
• Jigs: Weighted hooks with a soft body, used with vertical jigging or bouncing along the bottom.
• Topwater Lures: Float on the surface and create splashing to provoke strikes from fish like bass.

Often used in both freshwater and saltwater.

• Cut Bait: Pieces of fish like herring, mackerel, or shad used to attract large predators.
• Dead Minnows: Used when live bait isn't available but still want the natural scent.
• Squid: Common in saltwater fishing for species like snapper, grouper, or even squid itself.

Commercially made, often scented, and designed for convenience.

• Dough Baits: Popular for trout and carp; soft and moldable.
• PowerBait: Artificial scented bait specifically designed for trout.
• Dip Baits/Stink Baits: Strong-smelling baits used mainly for catfish.
• Pellets and Boilies: Common in carp fishing; slow-releasing scent and nutrients.

Used in fly fishing to mimic insects or other natural prey.

• Dry Flies: Float on the water to imitate adult insects.
• Nymphs: Imitate immature insects underwater.
• Streamers: Resemble small baitfish or leeches; used for larger fish like trout or bass.