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