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baitfish

American  
[beyt-fish] / ˈbeɪtˌfɪʃ /

noun

plural

baitfish,

plural

baitfishes
  1. a small fish that is a source of food for a larger fish.

    Fishermen knew the presence of baitfish meant plenty of bass nearby.

  2. Angling. any small fish, as a minnow or shiner, used as bait.


Etymology

Origin of baitfish

bait + fish

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Chay moved us in casting range; when a tarpon broke the surface, Matsumoto cast his fly, a white EP Baitfish, a few feet in front, hoping to intercept the fish.

From Washington Post • Apr. 1, 2022

Baitfish are gathering around the mouth of river and two creeks.

From Washington Times • Oct. 23, 2019

Baitfish can also be caught using light-tackle outfits spooled with light monofilament that allows the angler to feel subtle bites.

From Time Magazine Archive

Baitfish can be chunked quicker with kitchen shears than a knife.

From Time Magazine Archive

Baitfish below swarmed madly among the potato peels and eggshells floating on the water.

From "Beyond the Bright Sea" by Lauren Wolk