A trap hauled up tomorrow does not need the same bait as one that may sit on the seafloor for several days. For commercial fishermen, that difference can impact everything from what goes into the bait bag to how much product a crew needs to keep on hand.
Despite the perception that fresher is always better, fresh bait is not automatically the best choice, and frozen bait is not merely a backup.
The right choice depends on what the bait needs to do between the time a trap goes overboard and the time it comes back up. That is why choosing between fresh and frozen bait is less about which is “better” and more about timing.
For lobster fishermen, bait dealers and buyers planning inventory, the practical question is: How long does this bait need to last?
Fresh bait vs. frozen bait at a glance
A practical comparison
| Fresh bait | Frozen bait | |
| Scent | Can release scent quickly | Provides attraction while offering greater durability |
| Breakdown | May be eaten or break down faster | Often selected when bait needs to remain in the trap longer |
| Durability | Depends on species, structure and conditions | Often selected when durability and longer soak times are priorities, particularly as weather becomes less predictable |
| Typical use | Daily or every-other-day hauling | Longer soak times, less predictable hauling schedules, or periods when weather may interrupt fishing and hauling |
| Inventory planning | Requires close attention to timing and supply | Can provide more flexibility for storage and planning |
| Examples | Pogies, herring, small whole redfish, fresh monkfish heads | Frozen redfish heads, racks, black cod heads, and other bait products that hold up longer |
Fresh and frozen bait can perform very differently depending on the species, how it is processed and how it is attached to the trap. A soft-bodied fish placed in a bait bag will behave differently from a fish head secured on a spike.
That is why the best bait for lobster traps is usually the bait that fits the way the crew is actually fishing.
Haul timing determines what bait needs to do
Daily hauling vs longer soaks
When crews are hauling traps every day or every other day, fresh bait may be a practical choice. Its strong, natural scent can attract lobsters quickly, and it is generally easy to cut and handle. Fresh bait can also be relatively inexpensive when local bait species are abundant.
The tradeoff is that fresh bait can spoil quickly, requires refrigeration or ice, and may break down faster in the water. Availability can also fluctuate with fishing seasons and quotas. Fresh pogies, for example, may be plentiful during part of the summer but harder to source later in the season.
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“Frozen bait provides some stability and peace of mind when planning a fishing season, especially when conditions could delay the next haul,” says Ben McKinney, chief operating officer at Canastra Fishing Co.
When traps are set ahead of approaching weather that could delay the next haul, they may remain in the water longer than planned. In those situations, a more durable bait, including some frozen products, may be better suited to a longer soak because it is more likely to hold together in the trap.
Ultimately, the bait needs to match the expected haul schedule.
Weather and water conditions change the equation
When the schedule becomes less predictable
Timing is only one factor. Weather can affect how often a crew can haul, while water temperature and seasonal conditions can also influence both fishing activity and bait performance.
Winter conditions, for example, can make schedules less predictable. Crews may not be able to return to the grounds as quickly as planned, while colder water can also affect lobster activity.
“If you’re fishing lobster traps in Maine during the winter, you may only haul once a week because of weather and reduced lobster activity in colder water,” explains Ben.
Conditions vary by fishery, location and crew, so there is no single bait choice for every season. For buyers, the key questions are how long the bait may need to sit, how predictable the next haul will be and how much product should be kept on hand.
This is where fresh and frozen bait can complement each other rather than compete.
Bait species and format matter as much as fresh or frozen
What the bait is, and how it is secured
“Fresh” and “frozen” only tell part of the story.
Species and product format can affect how bait performs in a trap. Oil content, skin, structure, bones and how the bait is secured can all make a difference.
Pogies and herring remain familiar examples of lobster bait. Fresh small whole redfish and monkfish heads have different characteristics, while frozen redfish heads, redfish racks and other more durable products can be useful when crews need bait that holds up longer.
Monkfish heads are firm and oily, while redfish heads and racks provide other options depending on how the bait is secured.
Attachment method matters, too. Some crews use bait bags, filling mesh bags with bait and placing them inside the trap. Others use bait spikes, securing heads or other products directly through a string and spike.
A bait with bones or a firm structure may hold up differently on a spike than a softer bait placed in a bag.
That is why choosing lobster trap bait is not only about the species. Product format, how the bait is secured and how long it needs to last all matter.
Fresh, frozen or a mix?
Combining different bait characteristics
Some fishermen do not choose one form of bait over the other. Instead, they use a combination of the two.
A crew may pair a bait with a quicker scent release with a more durable product that can remain in the trap longer. The idea is to give the trap different bait characteristics rather than simply relying on a single product.
But that is not a universal formula. What works for one crew may not fit another crew’s fishing schedule, target species or preferred rigging method.
The same applies when choosing between herring, pogies, redfish and monkfish. Familiarity, availability and how the bait is rigged can all influence what works best for a particular fishery.
For bait buyers, the advantage of having both fresh and frozen options is flexibility. Weather, haul schedules and availability change, and the bait plan may need to change with them.
Questions to ask before choosing lobster trap bait
A quick checklist for buyers and crews
Before placing an order, it helps to run through your current situation and needs first:
- How often will the traps be hauled?
- What is the expected soak time?
- Is the weather likely to delay the next haul?
- How does the cost of fresh bait compare with frozen options?
- What are the current water conditions?
- What species is the crew targeting?
- Is the bait going into a bait bag or onto a bait spike?
- How much storage is available?
- What format is easiest for the crew to handle?
- How much volume is needed for the fishing schedule?
- What products are currently available from the supplier?
Those questions can narrow the options quickly.
A crew hauling frequently may have different priorities from one planning for longer soaks. Storage also matters: A buyer with limited freezer space may plan differently from one stocking bait for a larger fleet.
MORE: How Canastra works with commercial fishing operations
There is no single answer to how long lobster bait lasts in a trap. The product, conditions and how the bait is used all matter.
That is why it helps to talk through availability before the season or before making a larger bait purchase.
The right bait fits the way you fish
Both fresh and frozen bait have their place, and sometimes the best approach is a combination of both.
Start with the haul schedule. A trap coming back tomorrow does not need the same thing from its bait as one that may stay down for several days. Weather, soak time, water conditions, target species and bait format can all affect what works best.
At Canastra Fishing Co., we look at bait in the context of how crews actually fish. The right choice is the one that fits the trip, the trap and the expected haul schedule.
Talk with our team about fresh and frozen bait options for your fishing schedule.
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