Fishing baits play a pivotal role in the sport of angling, offering a direct and often irresistible enticement for fish. Natural baits, such as live worms, minnows, or insects, are harvested or collected with the intent of using their organic scent, texture, and movement to lure fish. These baits are particularly effective because they appeal to the fish's instinctual diet, often triggering an automatic feeding response. Anglers must choose their bait carefully, considering factors such as the target species, water conditions, and time of year, to maximize their chances of a successful catch. For example, using crickets or grasshoppers during summer months can be particularly effective for surface-feeding fish like trout or bass.

On the other hand, synthetic baits, although lacking the natural scents of live bait, offer durability and versatility that live bait cannot match. They come in a broad range of styles, each engineered to simulate the lifelike texture and motions of real food sources. Soft plastic baits, for instance, can be scented and salt-impregnated to not only look but also taste real to the fish, making them hold on longer for a better hook set. Additionally, artificial baits are often more environmentally friendly, reducing the risk of introducing non-native species into ecosystems via live bait. The development of synthetic baits has also allowed for specialized fishing tactics, like the use of brightly colored baits for murky water conditions or specially weighted baits for deep-sea fishing, expanding the scope and technique of the fishing practice itself.