Bait, Lure and Fly Distributors and Wholesalers Key Terms

Get hooked on basic fishing bait, lure and fly vocabulary
By Lisa Maloney The key to communicating with bait, lure and fly distributors and wholesalers is understanding the products they sell. Understanding their products will also help you to gauge what your customers might be most interested in.

While you don't have to be an expert fisherman to order the right bait, lure and flies for your customers, you have to understand enough of the key terms to know what your customers are asking you to purchase from distributors and wholesalers.

Natural bait

Natural bait is any material naturally available in the wilderness for bait. This includes cut-up pieces of fish, or whole worms, insects and grubs.
Try:  Take Me Fishing gives examples of natural bait, and which freshwater fish natural bait is most suitable for catching.

Crankbait

Crankbait is a special lure, often segmented, with a protruding lip that causes it to dive beneath the surface of the water as it's being retrieved. Popular for bass, crankbait is also used to lure other predatory fish species.
Try:  The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide details how, where and why to use crankbaits, and describes crankbait specific retrieval techniques.

Leader

The leader is a stranded, extra-tough material tied between the fishing line and the lure, hook or bait. The leader gives protection against abrasion and cutting of the line, especially by sharp-toothed fish.
Try:  FishHer explains what a leader is and gives examples of typical leader material.

Boilies

Boilies are a homemade carp bait that are popular in Europe. Because boilies are homemade, you're most likely to find kits, tools or recipes for making recipes through your distributors, rather than the products themselves.
Try:  FishforCarp.com details the process of making boilies.

Terminal tackle

Terminal tackle refers to the assortment of gear that is tied on to the terminal or standing end of fishing line. Terminal tackle can include lures, flies, hooks for bait or any number of accessories to these items.
Try:  The Fishresource.com glossary defines terminal tackle and gives examples of it.

Cover

Cover refers to the weeds or brush a fish may hide in or below, and which might potentially snag your bait, lure or fly. Wholesalers and distributors market certain fishing lures for use in thick cover.
Try:  Reel Fishing Reports defines fish cover, and gives advice on which lures and rigs to use for largemouth bass in thick cover.