If you don't want to catch your own bait you can buy it. To make sure it's fresh and lively, buy your bait the day you go fishing, at a bait store close to where you intend to fish. Try to develop a good relationship with the owner of the bait store and you'll get good information along with your bait purchase.

Getting Live Freshwater Bait

Earthworms, crickets, and minnows are a staple of most bait stores. They're fairly easy to keep in big tanks or cages and suppliers usually visit these stores at least weekly. Make sure you purchase enough bait for the day. It's better to have some left over than to run out when the fish are biting.

When buying earthworms, ask to see them. There's usually a box where the container can be dumped so you can see the number as well as the health of the bait you are buying. If buying crickets, look for lively, active crickets that climb on the container. Make sure there are no dead ones in the bottom. Crickets are measured by volume rather than counted and you don't want to pay for a lot of dead ones. With minnows make sure they're swimming actively in the bucket and not lying dead on the bottom. They're usually counted out and sold by the dozen.

You can probably also find wax worms and mealworms in most bait stores, but the other baits may be harder to find. When you get closer to your fishing spot, you're more likely to find baitfish like herring and shad because they can be caught and sold quickly without transporting them long distances. You may find salamanders, frogs, and crawfish, too, but they are not nearly as common.

Finding Live Bait for Salt Water

Bloodworms and sandworms are similar to earthworms in the way they're boxed and sold, so you should make sure you pour them out and check for numbers as well as the health of the bait. Most saltwater bait is sold near the coast at marinas and bait stores near piers and fishing areas. Ask when the bait was caught and delivered since many kinds don't keep well.