Baits Used in Freshwater Fishing

Probably the most universal of all natural baits issmall streams and creeks. They are generally
the worm. The more easily obtained commonactive at night and have even been seen
garden worm is a good standby for the big, pencilscampering across dew-covered ground. In winter
thick variety found in shady gullies between hillsthey tend to burrow deep into the mud of the
along sub-tropical rain forests. They can also bebottom.The freshwater shrimp, probably the
found in marshy, fertile river flats. The moremost successful of all the freshwater baits, are
active the worm, the better it presents to theseasonal in their availability. Most fish will rarely
fish. Worms are also bred as commercial venturesturn away from a nicely presented freshwater
for anglers and these days, also for compostingshrimp and at the height of summer they are
and environmental destruction of waste matter.present in vast numbers. Traps are the best
One of the best methods to harvest worms is tomethod of capturing the shrimp. Usually a bucket
lay a hessian bag in a shady spot, keep itshaped metal container with holes and baited with
permanently damp and place vegetable peelingsa dead fish is an efficient method of capture.
underneath it.Another recommended bait is thePerhaps their sense of smell leads them into the
grub. Many anglers swear that the odour whichbucket to feed off the fish and when retrieved
emanates from the maggots of the big mothsfrom the water, the bucket drains of water,
when pierced by a hook can be detected from aleaving the entrapped shrimp behind. Areas to
great distance by fish. Grubs have a reputation assearch for the shrimp are at the water's edge
top bait for the inland angler. Grubs can usually benext to weed, rocks and algae-covered timber.
located by removing the top few inches of soilThey have a similar appearance to the prawn and
from around the base of a tree. They can also beare excellent bait for any species of fish.Live fish
located in the timbers of trees where that liveare excellent bait and it is a widespread practice
out their larval stage of their development. Theyto use them. In dark, murky waters the
kill the tree as they eat their way into its heartbig-mouthed fish are attracted to these baits by
and small holes are a giveaway as to theirtheir movement more so than their appearance
presence.In some areas frogs are suitable bait.or characteristics.Before using baits such as those
Not a popular or well-known bait, but neverthelessmentioned, local regulations must be checked as it
the small brown frog usually found under looseis prohibited in some trout waters to use such
bark is the pick of the frogs as bait. The tadpolebaits which may compromise the habitat. Indeed
is effective bait for trout when thrown in thethe European Carp, which is in plague proportions
shallow streams among weed beds.Another baitin Australian rivers and destroys the habitat of
anglers can use when others are in short supply isthe natural fish, are a classic example of what can
the freshwater mussel. These hard-shelledhappen when live bait are released and allowed to
molluscs can usually be found at the river edge orthrive. Baits used for trout are almost always live
on the beds of the rivers and their soft, fleshyand usually consists of the small water-based
centre is bait some fish find irresistible.The flatanimals from the same area as the fish. Trout do
bottom of a farm dam is a good place to findappreciate variety however and can also be taken
crayfish baits. Their presence is usually indicatedusing grasshoppers, beetles, moths, ants, worms
by small burrowing holes at the edge of theand insects.
water line. They can also be found under rocks in