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