A to E

Bait holder hook – A hook with a slice or slices on the back of the shank to help retain a bait or plastic worm.

Bait digging – the gathering of bait using a fork or spade. Usually for worms or clams.

Bait elastic – An elasticated thread used to secure soft baits such as mussels or crab to the hook by whipping. It does not need to be tied as it…

Bait pump – a metal, suction pump used for bait gathering in particular for black lugworm in their vertical burrows.

Baitcasting – A US term used to describe a rod and reel set-up for lure or bait fishing where the reel is fished on top of the rod. The reel…

Baitrunner – a fixed spool reel with a rear drag and a lever to disengage the spool allowing the fish to run freely but with line pick-up when the handle…

Baiting needle – A long metal needle with either an eye at the blunt end used for mounting dead fish on a rig or with a hollow indent to locate…

Baitfish – Small fish near the bottom of the food chain used for bait, generally live, to catch larger predatory species. Sandeels are a common example of a baitfish.

Bar – An offshore ridge or mound of sand, gravel or pebbles which is submerged during some stage of the tide. Common at the mouth of a river or estuary…

Balloon – used as a float to suspend large baits when shark fishing.