In India, traditional fishing baits vary by region and target fish species. Common natural baits include earthworms, insects, small fish, and crustaceans. Earthworms are widely used in freshwater fishing for species like mahseer and catfish.
Commercial fishing feeds are also popular, especially in aquaculture. These include pellet feeds made from rice bran, groundnut cake, and fish meal. In coastal areas, fishermen use sardines, prawns, and squid as bait for larger marine fish.
Local markets often sell prepared baits like dough balls mixed with spices or fermented rice. These attract fish with strong odors. Some fishermen create chum mixtures using fish offal and grains to lure fish to their nets or hooks. |
