Whether you’re picking up a rod for the first time or you’ve practically got one glued to your hand, chances are you’ve had a crack at bait fishing. For a lot of us, it’s how the obsession started—sinking baits with your mates. Sure, you can duck into your local BCF and grab a bag of frozen prawns, but nothing beats the thrill of catching your own bait. Not only is live bait deadly effective (and can be the difference between landing a trophy or going home empty-handed), but it also saves you a few bucks—leaving more coin for new gear. Win-win! The BCFing experts know how to catch live bait, and with their help, you will too. Here are some of our favourite bait options and what you need to catch them.
Expert tip: Every state and territory has its own rules around bait collection. Check your local fisheries site before you get started.
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Saltwater Yabbies
When it comes to fishing our rivers and estuaries, there's one bait that reigns supreme… saltwater yabbies! Yabbies (also known as bass yabbies) are found up and down the east coast and are a favourite for most things with fins (and even some without). If you've ever walked your local flats and seen an abundance of interesting looking holes, these are a tell-tail sign that there's yabbies in the area.
While yabbies make one of the best baits in the biz, collecting them is half the fun! So, how do you get your hands on these little guys? All you need is a bait pump, a bit of elbow grease, and soon you’ll have a bucket-full of these wriggly weapons that the fish find hard to resist. Pumping yabbies is a bit of an art form – like patting your head and rubbing your belly – but once you’ve got the rhythm, it’s addictive!
If you’re keen to learn how to pump yabbies, let Guesty run you through the ropes.
Beach Worms
Who doesn’t love a good stroll on the beach? As Aussies, there's just something that attracts us to it, but for fishos, there’s more than just surf and sand to enjoy – there’s worms! Beach worms are a favourite food source for many different fish species. From beach dwellers like dart and tailor to your bread and butter (flatties, bream and whiting) in the estuaries – they'll all have a crack at one of these lengthy critters.
The best part? You don’t need much gear; just a scaler bag, a bait bucket, and some stinky bait, and you’ll have no dramas coaxing them out of the sand. Catching them can be tricky (they’re slippery little suckers), but with a bit of practice and Sammy’s tips, you’ll be pulling them like a pro!
Squid
The perfect bait that’s even better on the plate. Squid are loved by fishos and seafood lovers alike, but if you can resist the temptation to chow down on some delicious calamari rings, it could lead to a trophy catch instead.
Catching squid is simple, fun, and a great way to get the kids involved. All you need is a squid jig, a bit of patience, and you’ll soon have a collection of inky critters that snapper, jewies and kingfish can’t look past. These funky looking lures have been designed with the sole purpose of catching our eight-legged mates, which is why they deserve a spot in the tackle box.
To help point you in the right direction, our BCFing experts have put together a great article on how to catch squid that you may find comes in handy… now get kraken!
Baitfish
It’s no secret that estuary predators like flathead, jack, and barra are absolute suckers for a live baitfish. Whether it’s herring, mullet, gar or biddies, these little guys are irresistible. Finding them is usually a piece of cake – catching them, however, can take some work. That’s where a cast net comes in handy.
Cast nets come in all shapes and sizes; all you have to do is match the mesh and size to your target species. There certainly is a knack to throwing a cast net and you can’t be disheartened if you don't get it right away. If you want to learn how to throw a cast net, our good mate Sammy has a simple step-by-step that’ll have you throwing like a pro in no time. Just don’t forget—cast nets aren’t legal everywhere, so check your local rules before you go picking one up.
Expert Tip: Keep your livies kicking with a bucket and aerator. No one wants their livies turning into deadies.
Prawns
Prawns are the quintessential Aussie favourite that our fishy friends like just as much as we do! Whether you’re chasing estuary fish or reefies, prawns are a sure bet. Catching prawns is a heap of fun no matter how you do it. While the old cast net gets a mention again for how effective it can be on collecting these bad boys, if you live in an area where these nets are prohibited, a scoop net is your best bet.
When the sun goes down, the prawns come out to play. Grab a prawning light and a scoop net and hit the shallows for some after-dark fun. Our mate Guesty knows a thing or two about how to catch prawns and has put together an epic video on how it's done. Check it out here.
Freshwater Yabbies/Shrimp
It can't be all about the salty stuff – our friends in the fresh need bait too! Fishing the freshwater opens a whole different can of worms. Whether you're chasing Aussie bass, yellowbelly or Murray cod, they’re all big fans of a well-presented shrimp or yabbies.
The easiest way to get these cracking crustaceans is with a bait trap! Toss it in, come back later, and (if you’re lucky) you’ll have a bucket full of fresh bait waiting. Just make sure you follow the rules: traps need your details tagged, and limits apply on how many you can use. For more tips on how to catch freshwater yabbies, let our good mates Jono and Reece show you how it’s done.
Expert Tip: If you’re chasing bigger yabbies for the plate, swap the trap for a drop net.
Yakkas & Slimies
When you’re heading offshore, it’s time to get serious. Forget the estuary snacks – big fish like kingfish, tuna, and marlin want a proper meal. That’s where yellowtail (yakkas) and slimey mackerel (slimies) come into play.
The best way to get these beaut baits is with a bait jig, also known as a sabiki rig. These rigs use a string of tiny hooks to tempt baitfish into biting. Drop them on a school (your sounder is key here), and you’ll have a livewell full in no time. Catching a few of these guys isn't that difficult, although a few tips never go astray. If you want to learn how to catch slimies , our mate Guesty has some terrific tips.
Expert tip: Slimies are like lollies for predators. If you can get your hands on them, you’re in with a serious chance of hooking something big.
Although live bait comes in many forms, one thing they all have in common is that they all catch fish. So, next time you’re tempted to grab a bag of the frozen stuff, why not try collecting your own? Not only is it cheaper and more fun, but it’ll also put you in with a red-hot chance of landing that fish of a lifetime.
About the author
BCFing Experts
The BCFing Experts have done more than their fair share of boating, camping, fishing, hiking, four-wheel driving and much much more! Whether you're tackling tough tracks in Tassie or chasing big barra up North, the BCFing Experts have the know-how to make your next outdoor adventure a pearler
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