Fishing bait

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For other uses, see Bait (disambiguation).
Fathead minnow, a common bait fish
A container of earthworms (nightcrawlers) for use as bait
Mussel meat used as cutbait on a hook

Fishing bait is any

feeding response out of the target fish, the way how fish react to different baits is quite poorly understood.[1]

Fishing baits can be grouped into two broad categories: natural baits and artificial baits. Traditionally, fishing baits are natural

bionic robot fish). The variety of baits that a fisherman may choose is dictated mainly by the target species and by its habitat, as well as personal preference. Both natural and artificial baits frequently demonstrate similar efficiency if chosen adequately for the target fish. The overall bait type, size and techniques used will affect the efficiency and yield when fishing.[3]

Fishing with baits does come with potential

plastics and paint, can degrade after prolonged exposure to the elements and release harmful toxic heavy metals, volatile organic compounds and microplastics
that are harmful to the environment.

Types

Natural baits

See also: Bait fish and live food
Threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense), a freshwater forage fish commonly captured as live bait

The natural bait angler, with few exceptions, will use a common prey species of the fish as an attractant. The natural bait used may be alive or dead. Common natural baits include

minnows, frogs, salamanders, and insects. Natural baits are effective due to the lifelike texture, odor and color of the bait presented. Studies show that natural baits like croaker and shrimp are more recognized by the fish and are more readily accepted.[4]

Live bait being used to catch native species is a

ethical concerns. The availability of live bait and cost factor can inhibit the use of natural baits year round.[6] Anglers can get various live baits from tackle shops at the limitations of price and season. Other ways anglers get natural bait is through usual methods of fishing, e.g. hook and line, traps and casting nets
.

Artificial baits

Boilie balls, a common commercial artificial bait for carp fishing

Artificial baits are baits that are not directly acquired via natural means, but are made from other materials via some kind of artificial processing. These can be

herbivorous
fish.

In

wheat bread as bait. These bread baits are improvised readily from a small amount of bread, often moistened by saliva and sometimes softened by chewing
, then squeezed into a small fish bite-sized ball and mounted onto the fishhook.

Lures

A collection of fishing lures resembling baitfish
Green Highlander, an artificial fly used for salmon fishing.
See also:
Fishing lures, soft plastic bait, and artificial fly

Lures are inedible artificial baits that are replica "

scent to attract the target (although chemical attractants can occasionally be added), and instead rely on movements, color/reflections, vibration and noise to attract and "fool" predatory fish into striking.[7]

Using lures is a popular method among North American anglers, particularly for catching

crankbaits, surface lures (stickbaits), spoons, spinnerbaits, trout worms
, frogs, etc.

Artificial baits are most commonly acquired online, in-store at tackle shops, and made by hand. Different manufacturers are continuously modifying lures with new

bionic technologies to better represent and attract the attention of fish. A study showed that the reason fish react to different colors of lures is due to their ability of see infrared rays being reflected off of lures.[9]
Companies have taken information like this into consideration so that they can make their lures in a way that maximizes efficiency.

Groundbait

A bucket of groundbait made from baked beans
Chumming for sharks at Guadalupe Island, Mexico
Main article: Groundbait

Groundbaits are fishing baits that are thrown into the water as an "appetizer" in order to

hook, usually before even casting any rod or net, although in bottom fishing
they can be deployed synchronously with hookbaits while contained inside a gradual-release device known as a method feeder.

Groundbaits are often used in

algivorous
and might not be easily drawn to strike the hookbait. Groundbaits can be custom-made by the angler, or bulk-purchased from dedicated manufacturers. Groundbaits can differ by the sizes of the crumbs, type of ingredients, smell, colour and texture/consistency. Anglers may also mix additives to alter the groundbait's firmness in order to control its rate of release and diffusion once in the water.

Groundbaits are also used frequently in

hypercarnivorous fishes such as sharks either directly via the smell, or indirectly by drawing opportunistic forage fish
that are prey to the predatory fishes.

Impacts on environment

See also: Environmental impact of fishing and human impact on the environment

Spreading disease

See also: Fish diseases and parasites
Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) disease in a gizzard shad.

The capture, transportation, and culture of bait fish can spread damaging organisms between ecosystems, endangering them. In 2007, several American states enacted regulations designed to slow the spread of fish diseases, including viral hemorrhagic septicemia, by bait fish.[10] Because of the risk of transmitting Myxobolus cerebralis (whirling disease), trout and salmon should not be used as bait. The Non-indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Act of 1990 focuses on the effect of aquatic nuisance species. The introduction of these invasive species in various bodies of water have spread disease, killed fish, clogged water intakes, and covered beaches and boats.[11]

Anglers may increase the possibility of contamination by emptying bait buckets into fishing venues and collecting or using bait improperly. The transportation of fish from one location to another can break the law and cause the introduction of fish alien to the ecosystem. There has been legislation passed within the last couple years in attempt of protecting big and small fisheries.[12]

Nutrient pollution and anoxia

Eutrophication can cause algal blooms, which causes anoxia that are harmful to aquatic life.
Further information: Eutrophication and anoxic waters

The use of commercially refined baits, particularly groundbaits (which are typically used in significant quantities), raises concern of alteration to nutrient balance where the bait is applied, especially in areas of more stagnant

cladocerans, and the recovery was not apparent after 4 months, although cyclopoid copepods were significantly more abundant in treated areas. Laboratory experiments determine that biochemical oxygen demand can be increased 100-fold by a single application of cereal bait, and this increased demand could result in local deoxygenation under warm, calm conditions.[13]

A Portuguese study showed that the use of 5–10 kg (11–22 lb) of groundbait per angler (approximately 3–20 tons of groundbait per year) did not alter the ecological functioning of the local reservoir but higher angling pressures may lead to a significant increase in nutrient concentrations, and suggested anglers choose groundbaits with low eutrophication potential.

catch-and-release is practiced (thus no biomass is removed), the inputs of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) are about four- and three- times higher respectively than if groundbaits are not used.[15]

Littering

crankbait

The popularity of artificial baits, especially lures, has increased drastically over time. With this, concerns of harm to the

digestive tract complications.[16]

Many materials used in the manufacturing of lures, such as

plastics and paint, can degrade after prolonged exposure to the elements and release harmful toxic heavy metals, volatile organic compounds and microplastics[17] that are either hazardous to the planktons and other small basal organisms, or get concentrated through the food chain
.

Gallery

Some common baits that fish will go after.

  • A bait fish (weather loach)
    A bait fish (
    weather loach
    )
  • Lob worm
    Lob worm
  • Frog
    Frog
  • Crayfish
    Crayfish
  • Mud lobster
    Mud lobster
  • Ragworm
    Ragworm
  • Lugworm
    Lugworm

References

  1. ISSN 2071-1050
    .
  2. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0310.2010.01848.x
    .
  3. ISSN 0165-7836
    .
  4. ISBN 1-58923-146-5
    .
  5. S2CID 244701171
    .
  6. PMID 26284779
    .
  7. S2CID 201195030
    .
  8. ISSN 0022-1112
    .
  9. ISSN 1750-9637
    .
  10. ^ "LSC - Fish Disease Leaflet 83". 2007-06-15. Archived from the original on 2007-06-15. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
  11. S2CID 237810319
    .
  12. PMID 23206337
    .
  13. PMID 15092737
    . Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  14. S2CID 83791710
    . Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  15. S2CID 56560250
    . Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  16. S2CID 42949733
    .
  17. doi:10.3390/environments9110144
    .

External links
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