Bait, the honest way.
Lures get the magazine covers; bait catches the fish. Here are 19 natural and prepared baits with the craft that matters - what each one catches, how to keep it alive (or smelling right), and how to rig it. One rule above all for LIVE bait: regulations on baitfish, crayfish and chumming vary hard by state - check yours, and never release or dump leftover bait. Artificials live over in lures by type.
🪱 Worms The universal starting point - gas-station classics and homegrown wigglers.
🦗 Insects & grubs Waxies, spikes and crickets - panfish and ice-season currency.
🐟 Live bait Minnows, craws and leeches - the real thing, with real rules to check.
🔪 Cut bait Scent highways for catfish, stripers and pike.
🍞 Pantry & prepared Corn, livers, doughs, eggs and stink - the kitchen-and-jar arsenal.
🌊 Saltwater baits Shrimp, squid, crabs and worms - the inshore currency.
Moving live baitfish or crayfish between waters spreads invasive species and disease - many states restrict or ban it, and chumming rules vary too. Buy certified local bait, use it where the rules allow, and never dump leftovers in the water. Two minutes with your state's regs protects the fishery you're standing in. We don't give legal advice - check the current rules.