Learn More about Saltwater Fishing Bait

Saltwater fishing bait is either Naturals or Artificials.

Both are excellent bait. But I do have some fishing buddies who swear by using artificial bait or lures, saying that they’re more sporting. For me I’ll say both are as good as the other.

Naturals

As in freshwater fishing, saltwater anglers are blessed with a wide range of natural baits, and most are free. As the tide is moving down a great variety of natural baits can be found around the shore. A wide range of worms, shells, crabs and small baitfish are some good examples. And these are top-baits for most saltwater species. Nothing beat fresh and good-quality bait.

If you’re lazy or do not have the time to gather them you can always buy them from most tackle shops, especially those located close to some hot fishing spots near the sea. Furthermore, you can have valuable fishing tips for the baits when you buy from them.

Anyway, here are some of the top-notch natural baits you should have some good knowledge of.

Saltwater worms --- most common are bloodworms and sandworms, versatile for most fish like stripers, bluefish, weakfish, flounder and snapper ~ a tip to gather worms from the shore is to get a wet cloth, put some fish-meat inside, wrap it, search for distinctive worm-cast, squeeze it and the worm will rise and say “hello”

Crabs --- excellent baits for a wide range of species and the peeler crab is the most effective ~ a simple way to gather small crabs is to dig a hole on the shore of 2 ft. by 2 ft. and a steep-depth of also 2 ft., throw in some stinking bait and stay away for awhile, and when you return you’ll find some crabs inside

Squids --- a widely used saltwater fishing bait by sea anglers around the world, deadly when fished live for many fish species

Mackerel --- a top saltwater fishing bait, even shark and billfish can’t resist --- widely available can be caught with feathers-jig

Mussels --- popular for bottom-fishing --- easy to gather from the shore, good bait for bottom-dwellers

The list can be endless. Here is some other effective natural bait you can look-out for, and they are: shrimps and prawns, clams, anchovies, razor-shells, sandeels, herrings and many others.

Artificials

Artificial bait and lures come in all shapes, styles, sizes and colors. A good alternative to natural bait, many artificial baits are designed to imitate some natural prey of predatory fish. And as in freshwater fishing, the shape, style, size and color of the lure to use depends on many different situations, but mainly on the type of fish you’re after as well as the style you’re employing.

There are a great wide range of different artificial lures available to the saltwater anglers. But you need not have to buy many of them. They’re not cheap either. By all means, have some in your tackle box and give yourself a better edge.

Here are some of the popular choices of artificial baits and lures for both shore and offshore fishing.

Soft Rubber Lures

This kind of lure comes in all forms and colors are among the most deadly lures for luring predator fish. And they are cheap. Some are in the forms of a worm, frog, eel, baitfish, squid or shrimp. Some are scented with fish-catching-smell and glow in the dark pattern. Always carry some with you on your fishing trip, shore or boat and I bet you never regret!

Plugs

Plugs also known as hard bait lures are designed to mimic panic and injured baitfish fleeing from predators when on a retrieve. Some come in a single piece and some are jointed.

There are 2 different forms, floating and sinking. Most top-name manufacturers specify them like the sinking rate of the lure.

Some are small of about an inch for casting smaller species, and some are large of about a foot long, usually designed for trolling big-game fish.

Topwater Lures

Topwater lures, sometimes called poppers are designed to mimic a fleeing baitfish on the surface. Top-notch saltwater fishing bait a popper made a popping noise when the line is retrieve. Some are only few inches long but some are big and long of more than a foot.

Best to use as a top saltwater fishing bait is when a big fleeing school of baitfish is sighted and within casting distance. Cast it over the school of baitfish and drag it back fast right across the middle of the school. Often, you’ll be rewarded with a savage and heart-stopping strike from a big predator such as a giant trevally, king mackerel, mahi-mahi, wahoo, or even an acrobatic sailfish.

Jigs

Jigs or pirks, whatever you called them are among my favorite lures for saltwater sport fishing. Basically, a jig is a simple metal of varying weight and length. It is fitted with a split ring and a treble hook on one end and a swivel for tying to the main line on the other end.

Modern jigs available in most tackle stores, average from a few grams to as heavy as few hundreds grams. Some are painted with metallic colors, and some are made from materials that glow in the dark.

A pirk is worked simply up and down through the various depths of the water. Large and heavy pirks are best for fishing off wrecks. Pirks can be used baited or unbaited --- versatile for all fish species, big or small, surface or bottom-dwellers.

With all these fishing baits, Naturals or Artificials, I hope you are able to pick any saltwater fishing bait for whatever fishing situations you intend to do or whatever species you intend to catch. Happy fishing!

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