Bait fish Bait fish Bait fish are small fish caught for use as bait to attract large predatory fish, particularly game fish. Species used are typically those that are common and breed rapidly, making them easy to catch and in regular supply. Examples of marine bait fish are anchovies, gudgeon, halfbeaks such as ballyhoo, and scad. Some larger fish such as menhaden, flying fish, or ladyfish may be considered bait fish in some circles, depending on the size of the gamefish being pursued. Freshwater bait fish include any fish of the minnow or carp family (Cyprinidae), sucker family (Catostomidae), top minnows or
Fish or cut bait the task of fishing, and that of cutting the bait, were considered equally important to the goal of catching fish. Failure to contribute is not one of the offered alternatives, although "go ashore" and "go overboard" are sometimes offered as clarifying alternatives. Writer Jan Freeman in the "Boston Globe" summarizes with the characterization that, "It's sort of a maritime version of 'Lead, follow, or get out of the way'". She followed up the following day with an expansion of her analysis of this phrase, including quotes from "Literary Digest" from 1899: "The thousands of Cuban soldiers yet in idleness will