The Best Fishing Bait for Saltwater

Anglers who live along ocean coastlines--or those who are just visiting--can experience the thrill of saltwater fishing. Selecting bait depends on the type of fish for which you are fishing. It also depends on what type of fishing you plan to do: shore fishing, deep-sea fishing or surf fishing.

  1. Shrimp

    • Live shrimp are a popular bait for saltwater fishing and are used to catch a variety of fish, such as spotted sea trout, black drum and southern flounder. Shrimp are great for fishing on the shoreline but are expensive. To fish using a live shrimp, hook the shrimp at the end of the tail. Hooking live shrimp through the tail helps them stay alive longer, and they are able to move and draw a big fish's attention. Small fish also are attracted to shrimp, though, and they will nibble at the bait. They might take the shrimp from the hook completely or leave part of it behind, meaning you could have to replace the shrimp numerous times.

    Cut Bait

    • Cut bait is used for catching groupers, bluefish, dolphin fish and jacks. Types of cut bait used for saltwater fishing are squid and ballyhoo, but any fish and its parts can be used. Cut bait can be used for in-shore fishing but is better for off-shore fishing, such as deep-sea fishing.

    Sand Fleas

    • Sand fleas are effective for surf fishing in the ocean and for catching surf fish, such as pompano and whiting. Sand fleas can be purchased at bait stores, but you can find your own digging below the surface of the sand. Once you have enough collected, bait the hook by sticking it through the hard shell of the sand flea.