Best Bait for Lobster Fishing – What Works & What Doesn’t

Introduction

When it comes to lobster fishing, bait selection can significantly influence your catch success. While personal preference and local conditions do matter, certain baits consistently demonstrate a higher yield in attracting lobsters to pots. This post delves into the most effective bait options, what to avoid, and how to maximise bait efficacy using cutting-edge technology like the Bait Saviour system.

Top Bait Choices

Over the years, research and practical experience have revealed that lobsters are particularly responsive to baits with a strong scent profile and oily residue. Below are some tried-and-tested favourites:

1. Herring

   • Why It Works: Herring is loaded with natural oils that disperse quickly in the water, creating a strong scent trail. This pungent aroma is highly appealing to lobsters looking for protein-rich meals.

   • Usage Tips: Many fishers prefer to use fresh or lightly salted herring to maintain a robust scent. If you plan on longer soaks, combining herring with a bait block in your pot can keep lobsters interested over time.

2. Mackerel

   • Why It Works: Similar to herring in oil content, mackerel is another excellent choice for luring lobsters. It’s often easier to source in some regions, making it a versatile and cost-effective option.

   • Usage Tips: Cutting mackerel into chunks ensures more surface area is exposed, enhancing the scent profile. For extended soaks, it’s helpful to freeze your mackerel chunks in advance so they defrost gradually underwater.

3. Bait Blocks

   • Why They Work: Bait blocks are specially formulated to release scent slowly, making them ideal for fishers who leave their pots down for longer periods. They often contain fishmeal and other by-products, which dissolve gradually.

   • Usage Tips: Pairing bait blocks with fresh scraps or oily fish can create an even more enticing combination. If you’re using the Bait Saviour system, you can programme timed releases to refresh the bait block’s scent when lobster activity is highest.

Ineffective or Less Successful Options

While experimentation can occasionally yield surprises, there are some bait choices that rarely live up to their promises:

• Shellfish Shells Alone

  • Issue: Shells alone release minimal scent once the meat is removed. Lobsters rely heavily on smell to locate food, so a scent-deficient bait is unlikely to lure them in sufficient numbers.

• Rotted Bait

  • Issue: Although some fishers believe strong odours attract lobsters, rotted bait can lose essential oils and degrade into a sludge-like mess that doesn’t maintain its appeal for long. It can also foster unwanted microbial growth in the pot.

• Overly Processed Waste

  • Issue: Bait that has undergone heavy processing often lacks the natural oils and scents lobsters find enticing. Processed waste might draw in smaller scavengers without providing the robust aroma needed to capture lobster interest.

Maximising Bait Efficacy

1. Freshness is Key

   • Why It Matters: Whether you’re using fish scraps or bait blocks, fresher is generally better. Fresher bait contains more oils, ensuring a strong and consistent scent.

   • Pro Tip: Consider freezing fresh fish immediately after purchase, which helps retain oils until you’re ready to use it.

2. Timed Release with the Bait Saviour System

   • How It Works: The Bait Saviour Bait Container is designed to hold various types of bait—whether fresh fish, bait blocks, or a combination—and release them at pre-set intervals. You can programme the container to dispense bait during peak lobster feeding times.

   • Why It’s Crucial: Traditional methods often involve bulk baiting at the start of a soak, leading to waste as bait degrades. With the Bait Saviour container, you can stagger releases and maintain an appealing scent profile throughout the soak.

   • Key Benefits:

     • Extended Pot Attraction: By dispensing fresh or partially thawed bait at intervals, the pot remains attractive for days without requiring a manual re-baiting trip.

     • Reduced Bait Costs: Targeted release means you use less bait overall, saving money while still attracting more lobsters.

     • Minimal Fuel Expenditure: With bait dispensing automatically, you no longer need to retrieve pots solely to replenish bait, significantly cutting down on fuel expenses.

3. Evaluate Regional Preferences

   • Importance: Different lobster populations may respond more favourably to certain baits based on what they naturally feed on in that locale.

   • How to Adapt: Speak with local fishers, consult community forums, or run small-scale experiments to find out which bait yields the best results in your specific region. The Bait Saviour system’s tracking tools allow you to monitor catch performance easily and refine your baiting strategy.

Conclusion

Selecting the best bait for lobster fishing involves balancing cost, availability, and scent potency. While herring, mackerel, and bait blocks have proven highly effective, the real game-changer lies in how the bait is released. By pairing fresh, high-quality bait with the Bait Saviour Bait Container, you can schedule optimal release times, maintain a powerful scent trail, and significantly boost your catch success. Over time, this smart, efficient approach can revolutionise your lobster fishing operation, helping you save money on bait and fuel while achieving consistently impressive results.

Which bait do you find most effective for attracting lobsters in your region?

• A. Herring
• B. Mackerel
• C. Specialised Bait Blocks
• D. A Combination of Multiple Baits

See All Options