baitfish

noun

bait·​fish ˈbāt-ˌfish 

: a small fish (such as a golden shiner or menhaden) that attracts and is a food source for a larger game fish

also : a fish used for bait

Examples of baitfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As waters warm, baitfish like sardines and anchovies often move deeper or farther north in search of cooler temperatures. — Denis Akbari, USA Today, 24 July 2026

This technique presents the illusion of two struggling baitfish simultaneously — one on the surface and the other just below. — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 23 July 2026

Most are from blacktip sharks, animals about six feet long that bite not out of hunger but confusion, in murky water, chasing baitfish and usually mistaking a swimmer’s foot for prey. — Kate Waxman, Sun Sentinel, 19 July 2026

And though extreme rainfall may help attract baitfish closer to shore, the influx of fresh water lowers salinity levels, driving some shark species away. — Sam Nichols, Scientific American, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1755, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for baitfish

• bluefish
• catfish
• codfish
• crawfish
• dogfish
• finfish
• flatfish
• goldfish
• groundfish
• kingfish
• offish
• redfish