Baits and techniques
Fishing in UK and Ireland: baits, baitfish and techniques
Coarse fishing with feeder and float is a culture of its own in Britain and Ireland, and the rules on baitfish differ sharply between England, Scotland and Ireland.
Guide sections: Learn to fish
LIVE BAITFISHCHECKED 2026-10-23
VARIES BY COUNTRY
Scotland: banned by law in freshwater (live vertebrates as bait). Ireland: banned in freshwater and prosecuted by the fisheries authority. England and Wales: allowed, but only with fish from the same water, and club rules can be stricter. Northern Ireland and sea angling: not confirmed.
Source: Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003, section 4(2), legislation.gov.uk (aktuell mit allen bis 23.10.2026 bekannten Änderungen, live vertebrates eingefügt 2007) · Inland Fisheries Ireland: IFI prosecutes angler for using live fish as bait to catch pike (Meldung vom 19.11.2024) · GOV.UK: Freshwater rod fishing rules, Tackle you can use (England und Wales) (laut GOV.UK Content-API inhaltlich zuletzt geändert 25.03.2015, Seite technisch aktualisiert 09.09.2026)
Lures
- Pike: soft baits, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits, worked slowly in winter.
- Bass on the coast: surface lures and slim soft plastics in the surf and around rocks, mainly in summer and autumn.
- Pollack and mackerel: soft lures, spoons and feathers from rocks or boats.
- Trout and salmon: flies, on some stretches also spinners; early in the season only artificials for salmon.
Natural baits
- Maggots, casters and sweetcorn for roach, bream and tench
- Boilies, pellets and particles for carp
- Bread and hemp for float fishing
- Lugworm, ragworm, crab and squid for beach fishing
- Mackerel strips and sandeel for bass and rays
Dead baitfish
Deadbaiting for pike is widespread, often with sea fish such as mackerel, sprat or herring. In England and Wales a fish you have caught may only be used as bait on the same water.
More rules
England and Wales: crayfish may not be used as bait.
Source: GOV.UK: Freshwater rod fishing rules, Tackle you can use (England und Wales) (laut GOV.UK Content-API inhaltlich zuletzt geändert 25.03.2015, Seite technisch aktualisiert 09.09.2026)
England and Wales: before 16 June you may only fish for salmon with artificial lures or flies, and the fish must be returned unharmed.
Source: GOV.UK: Freshwater rod fishing rules, Tackle you can use (England und Wales) (laut GOV.UK Content-API inhaltlich zuletzt geändert 25.03.2015, Seite technisch aktualisiert 09.09.2026)
England: during the coarse close season, game anglers may only use certain baits depending on the region, and only artificial fly in the south-east.
Source: GOV.UK: Freshwater rod fishing rules, When and where you can fish (laut GOV.UK Content-API inhaltlich zuletzt geändert 25.03.2015, Seite technisch aktualisiert 09.09.2026)
Scotland: fish roe, fire and light are also banned as bait or lure.
Source: Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003, section 4(2), legislation.gov.uk (aktuell mit allen bis 23.10.2026 bekannten Änderungen, live vertebrates eingefügt 2007)
Techniques
Target species
Lures by species
Quick answers
Is live baiting legal in the UK?
It depends on where you are. In Scotland it is banned in freshwater, while in England and Wales it is only allowed with fish from the same water.
Can I use live bait for pike in Ireland?
No. Inland Fisheries Ireland bans live baitfish in freshwater to stop the spread of non-native species, and it prosecutes offenders.
What baits do British coarse anglers use?
Maggots, casters, sweetcorn, bread and pellets are the basics. Boilies are added for carp.
Other regions
Rules change and often apply to one country, state or water only. Check the permit for your water before you fish. No guarantee, every rule with its source.