Bait

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Bait is a group of items that is mandatory for fishing. When a fishing pole is cast, at least one bait item must be in the player's inventory; otherwise, nothing can be caught. Fishing poles will cast their lines with no baits, but there will be no "bites" and no catches. The bait item is only consumed once the player reels in the line with a catch on the hook. It is not consumed upon the player casting the line or the line being reeled in with no catch. Even when the player does reel in a fish, there is only a chance that the bait will be consumed.

There are several items that can serve as bait, and they must be obtained in different ways depending on the type:

  • Most critters that are invertebrates (insects, scorpions, snails, worms) can be used as bait, and must be caught with the Bug Net, Lavaproof Bug Net(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), or Golden Bug Net(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions).
    • The Truffle Worm is unique in that it is only used for summoning Duke Fishron. It cannot be used for ordinary fishing.
    • The Magma Snail(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), Hell Butterfly(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), and Lavafly(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) can only be caught with a Lavaproof Bug Net or Golden Bug Net. When used as bait, they have the special property of allowing the player to fish in lava.
  • Blue, Green, and Pink Jellyfish bait items are unrelated to the Jellyfish enemies. They are themselves caught via fishing.
Source of Apprentice Bait
Classic mode icon.png Classic
Expert mode icon.png Expert
Master mode icon.png Master
EntityQty.Rate
Pearlwood Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Pearlwood CratePearlwood Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)1–42/9 (22.22%)
Wooden CrateWooden CrateWooden Crate1–42/9 (22.22%)
Source of Journeyman Bait
Classic mode icon.png Classic
Expert mode icon.png Expert
Master mode icon.png Master
EntityQty.Rate
Azure CrateAzure CrateAzure Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Boreal Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Boreal CrateBoreal Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Bramble Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Bramble CrateBramble Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Corrupt Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Corrupt CrateCorrupt Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Crimson Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Crimson CrateCrimson Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Defiled Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Defiled CrateDefiled Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Divine Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Divine CrateDivine Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Dungeon Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Dungeon CrateDungeon Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Frozen Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Frozen CrateFrozen Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Hallowed Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Hallowed CrateHallowed Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Hellstone Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Hellstone CrateHellstone Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Hematic Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Hematic CrateHematic Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Iron CrateIron CrateIron Crate2–41/3 (33.33%)
Jungle Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Jungle CrateJungle Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Mirage Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Mirage CrateMirage Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Mythril Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Mythril CrateMythril Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–41/3 (33.33%)
Oasis Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Oasis CrateOasis Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Obsidian Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Obsidian CrateObsidian Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Ocean Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Ocean CrateOcean Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Pearlwood Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Pearlwood CratePearlwood Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)1–41/9 (11.11%)
Seaside Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Seaside CrateSeaside Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Sky Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Sky CrateSky Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Stockade Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Stockade CrateStockade Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Wooden CrateWooden CrateWooden Crate1–41/9 (11.11%)
Source of Master Bait
Classic mode icon.png Classic
Expert mode icon.png Expert
Master mode icon.png Master
EntityQty.Rate
Azure CrateAzure CrateAzure Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Boreal Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Boreal CrateBoreal Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Bramble Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Bramble CrateBramble Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Corrupt Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Corrupt CrateCorrupt Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Crimson Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Crimson CrateCrimson Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Defiled Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Defiled CrateDefiled Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Divine Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Divine CrateDivine Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Dungeon Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Dungeon CrateDungeon Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Frozen Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Frozen CrateFrozen Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Golden CrateGolden CrateGolden Crate3–72/3 (66.67%)
Hallowed Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Hallowed CrateHallowed Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Hellstone Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Hellstone CrateHellstone Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Hematic Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Hematic CrateHematic Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Iron CrateIron CrateIron Crate2–41/6 (16.67%)
Jungle Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Jungle CrateJungle Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Jungle MimicJungle Mimic2.pngJungle Mimic2–433%
Mirage Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Mirage CrateMirage Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Mythril Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Mythril CrateMythril Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–41/6 (16.67%)
Oasis Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Oasis CrateOasis Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Obsidian Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Obsidian CrateObsidian Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Ocean Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Ocean CrateOcean Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Seaside Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Seaside CrateSeaside Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Sky Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Sky CrateSky Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Stockade Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Stockade CrateStockade Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)2–61/4 (25%)
Titanium Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Titanium CrateTitanium Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)3–72/3 (66.67%)
  • Apprentice Bait, Journeyman Bait, and Master Bait are acquired as rewards for completing quests for the Angler NPC, as well as from crates. Master Bait is also dropped by Jungle Mimics(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions).

Types

There are 46 different types of bait items, 1 of which is Hardmode-exclusive.

Bait Power Rarity Max. stack Sell Research
Apprentice Bait Apprentice BaitInternal Item ID: 2674 15% Rarity level: 1 9999 1 SC 5 required
Journeyman Bait Journeyman BaitInternal Item ID: 2675 30% Rarity level: 2 9999 3 SC 5 required
Master Bait Master BaitInternal Item ID: 2676 50% Rarity level: 3 9999 10 SC 5 required
Black Dragonfly Black Dragonfly(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 4334 20% Rarity level: 1 9999 10 SC 5 required
Black Scorpion Black ScorpionInternal Item ID: 2156 15% Rarity level: 1 9999 15 SC (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)
No value (Old-gen console and 3DS versions)
5 required
Blue Dragonfly Blue Dragonfly(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 4335 20% Rarity level: 1 9999 10 SC 5 required
Blue Jellyfish (bait) Blue Jellyfish (bait)Internal Item ID: 20% Rarity level: 1 9999 350 3 required
Buggy Buggy(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 3194 40% Rarity level: 2 9999 10 SC 5 required
Enchanted Nightcrawler Enchanted Nightcrawler(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 3191 35% Rarity level: 2 9999 20 SC 5 required
Firefly FireflyInternal Item ID: 1992 20% Rarity level: 1 (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)
Rarity level: 0 (Old-gen console and 3DS versions)
9999 3 SC (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)
No value (Old-gen console and 3DS versions)
5 required
Glowing Snail Glowing SnailInternal Item ID: 2007 15% Rarity level: 1 9999 50 SC 5 required
Gold Butterfly Gold Butterfly(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 2891 50% Rarity level: 3 9999 10 GC 3 required
Gold Dragonfly Gold Dragonfly(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 4340 50% Rarity level: 3 9999 10 GC 3 required
Gold Grasshopper Gold Grasshopper(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 2893 50% Rarity level: 3 9999 10 GC 3 required
Gold Ladybug Gold Ladybug(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 4362 50% Rarity level: 3 9999 10 GC 3 required
Gold Water Strider Gold Water Strider(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 4419 50% Rarity level: 3 9999 10 GC 3 required
Gold Worm Gold Worm(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 2895 50% Rarity level: 3 9999 10 GC 3 required
Grasshopper GrasshopperInternal Item ID: 2740 10% Rarity level: 0 9999 2 SC50 CC 5 required
Green Dragonfly Green Dragonfly(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 4336 20% Rarity level: 1 9999 10 SC 5 required
Green Jellyfish (bait) Green Jellyfish (bait)Internal Item ID: 20% Rarity level: 1 9999 350 3 required
Grubby Grubby(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 3192 15% Rarity level: 1 9999 2 SC50 CC 5 required
Hell Butterfly Hell Butterfly(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 4845 15% Rarity level: 1 9999 20 SC 5 required
Julia Butterfly Julia ButterflyInternal Item ID: 2001 25% Rarity level: 1 9999 30 SC 5 required
Ladybug Ladybug(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 4361 17% Rarity level: 1 9999 10 SC 5 required
Lavafly Lavafly(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 4847 25% Rarity level: 1 9999 20 SC 5 required
Lightning Bug Lightning BugInternal Item ID: 2004 35% Rarity level: 2 9999 5 SC 5 required
Maggot Maggot(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 4363 22% Rarity level: 1 9999 5 SC 5 required
Magma Snail Magma Snail(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 4849 35% Rarity level: 2 9999 50 SC 5 required
Monarch Butterfly Monarch ButterflyInternal Item ID: 1994 5% Rarity level: 0 9999 5 SC 5 required
Orange Dragonfly Orange Dragonfly(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 4337 20% Rarity level: 1 9999 10 SC 5 required
Pink Jellyfish (bait) Pink Jellyfish (bait)Internal Item ID: 20% Rarity level: 1 9999 350 3 required
Purple Emperor Butterfly Purple Emperor ButterflyInternal Item ID: 1995 35% Rarity level: 2 9999 75 SC 5 required
Red Admiral Butterfly Red Admiral ButterflyInternal Item ID: 1996 30% Rarity level: 2 9999 40 SC 5 required
Red Dragonfly Red Dragonfly(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 4338 20% Rarity level: 1 9999 10 SC 5 required
Scorpion ScorpionInternal Item ID: 2157 10% Rarity level: 0 9999 15 SC (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)
No value (Old-gen console and 3DS versions)
5 required
Sluggy Sluggy(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 3193 25% Rarity level: 1 9999 5 SC 5 required
Snail SnailInternal Item ID: 2006 10% Rarity level: 0 9999 10 SC 5 required
Stinkbug Stinkbug(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 5132 10% Rarity level: 0 9999 10 SC 5 required
Sulphur Butterfly Sulphur ButterflyInternal Item ID: 1998 10% Rarity level: 0 9999 10 SC 5 required
Tree Nymph Butterfly Tree Nymph ButterflyInternal Item ID: 1999 50% Rarity level: 3 9999 1 GC 5 required
Truffle Worm Truffle WormInternal Item ID: 2673 666% Rarity level: 3 9999 10 GC 3 required
Ulysses Butterfly Ulysses ButterflyInternal Item ID: 1997 20% Rarity level: 1 9999 20 SC 5 required
Water Strider Water Strider(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 4418 17% Rarity level: 1 9999 10 SC 5 required
Worm WormInternal Item ID: 2002 25% Rarity level: 1 9999 5 SC 5 required
Yellow Dragonfly Yellow Dragonfly(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 4339 20% Rarity level: 1 9999 10 SC 5 required
Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly Zebra Swallowtail ButterflyInternal Item ID: 2000 15% Rarity level: 1 9999 15 SC 5 required

Bait power

Bait power influences the quality of the catch (see Fishing for details and other factors), as well as the chances that the bait item will be consumed upon successfully reeling in a catch: Higher bait powers mean lower chance that the bait item will be consumed.

The formula used to determine the chance if the bait will be consumed is as follows:[1]
[math]\displaystyle{ \text{chance to consume} = \frac{1}{1 + \text{bait power} / 6} }[/math], where bait power is the item's listed bait power multiplied by 100 (e.g. 15 for Apprentice Bait).

The Tackle Box, Angler Tackle Bag(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), and Lavaproof Tackle Bag(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) have a beneficial effect on bait consumption chance. With any of these equipped (they do not stack), the formula is as follows:
[math]\displaystyle{ \text{chance to consume} = \frac{1}{2 + \text{bait power} / 6} }[/math]

The following table lists exemplary chances for some bait items:

Bait type Chance to consume
Regular With Tackle Box (or upgrades)

Monarch Butterfly Monarch Butterfly5% bait power 1/1.833 (54.56%) 1/2.833 (35.3%)
Snail Snail10% bait power 1/2.667 (37.5%) 1/3.667 (27.27%)
Sluggy Sluggy(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)25% bait power 1/5.167 (19.35%) 1/6.167 (16.22%)
Buggy Buggy(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)40% bait power 1/7.667 (13.04%) 1/8.667 (11.54%)
Gold Worm Gold Worm(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)50% bait power 1/9.333 (10.71%) 1/10.333 (9.68%)

It can be seen that, for instance, an item with 5% bait power lasts for 1.833 reel-ins on average. The Tackle Box and its upgrades always extend this by 1, regardless of bait power.

Truffle Worms and Gold Worms are exempt from this.[1] Truffle Worms are always consumed, and Gold Worms have a fixed 1/20 (5%) consumption chance which is unaffected by the Tackle Box and its upgrades.

Notes

Critter spawns from broken tiles
Critter Short grass/plants Tall grass/plants Dirt and rock piles Spawn limit
WormWorms 1/400 (0.25%) chance per tile 1/200 (0.5%) chance per tile 1/6 (16.67%) chance per tile 5
GrasshopperGrasshoppers 1/100 (1%) chance per tile 1/50 (2%) chance per tile 5
Grubby Sluggy Buggy Jungle baits 1/80 (1.25%) per tile in the Jungle 1/40 (2.5%) per tile in the Jungle 8 total
  • If the player has multiple bait items in their inventory, they are used from the top-left slot of the inventory to the bottom-right. Therefore, the topmost/left-most bait item will be used first.
  • Bait shares some traits with ammunition:
    • All bait items can be placed in the ammunition slots of the inventory.
    • The number of available bait items will be displayed next to fishing poles placed in the hotbar.
However, bait consumption is unaffected by ammo conservation.
  • Worms have increased spawn rate when raining.
  • The spawn rate of Fireflies is randomly determined at the beginning of each night.[2] Therefore, on some nights massive swarms will be encountered while on other nights very few will spawn. They tend to spawn in especially high numbers at the new moon.
    • Fireflies will not spawn during rain.
  • Using Ladybugs(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) as bait counts as killing them, and will give the player bad Luck. It will also increase the chance of rain.[3]
  • (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) Critters spawned by statues cannot be caught with any Bug Net, so statues do not aid in the collection of bait.
  • (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) When wearing Flower Boots, the chance that a critter will spawn after destroying flowers or grass is drastically decreased.

Tips

  • The Guide to Critter Companionship(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) can be helpful for gathering baits.
  • Using Ladybugs as bait can be beneficial. Although the decrease in fishing power from the bad luck of "killing" two ladybugs (averaging out to roughly -30% fishing power) outweighs the +20% bonus provided by rain, only the first two ladybugs decrease the player's luck (the rest only refreshing the penalty's duration), and all of them refresh the duration of the increased chance of rain, so ladybugs can be continually used as bait until the rain starts. Rain always lasts for 24 in-game hours (24 real-world minutes), while bad luck from killing ladybugs will wear off in only three.
  • Fishing itself can be a viable way of obtaining bait: Using Crate and Sonar Potions, and refusing common catches like Bass, the Angler Bait obtained from the crates is generally more than what was used, and Master Bait with its 50% bait power (and thus, durability) will rapidly replace any other kind of bait.
    • However, gathering bait critters is fairly easy in the Forest, Jungle, or Hallow biomes. The options depend on biome and time of day.
    • The spawn rates and spawn caps of critters are affected by many of the same factors as those of hostile enemies, hence Water Candles, Peace Candles(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), Battle Potions, Calming Potions, and Sunflowers will affect critter spawns. As such, when attempting to farm critters, it is advised to use a Battle Potion and either hold or place a Water Candle nearby.
    • In all cases, nearby NPCs improve the proportion of critters as compared to enemies. Provided enough are nearby, they can even suppress enemy spawns completely, which results in critters being the only creatures able to spawn.
      • When in the Underworld or in Expert Mode(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), enemies may still occasionally spawn, even when many NPCs are nearby.
    • Flower Boots(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) are an excellent means to farm bait. They work on all types of grass whose plants are suitable for spawning critters – regular, Jungle, and Hallowed. Bait can be farmed by running across a stretch of grass with Flower Boots on, then removing the boots and destroying the flowers. This is a bit slow, but it remains the only way to produce bait on demand without relying on natural critter spawns.

Fireflies and Lightning Bugs

  • Fireflies spawn at night. They tend to congregate near NPC houses in the Forest biome and often spawn in very large numbers. In The Hallow, they are replaced by the superior Lightning Bugs. Their 20% bait power is modest but sufficient for early fishing, and they are comparatively plentiful.
  • The Fireflies' spawn rate can be increased by building a platform in the sky high enough so that the ground is not visible. Because terrestrial critters have nothing to spawn on, more Fireflies will spawn. Remember that nearby NPC houses will help.
  • Wings will speed up the job of catching Fireflies considerably. Lacking those, a network of interconnected platforms will also do the trick.

Worms

  • Spending a rainy day walking around NPCs can result in a lot of Worms.
  • Worms cannot climb up tiles, and will get stuck in 1-tile-deep holes. Standard placed blocks being square makes a perfect trap for them. It is possible to catch several dozen in one rainy day, by just collecting them in a hole at the end of a flat area. Note that the hole must be at least 2 tiles wide for the player to stand in and swing a Bug Net.

Trivia

  • The names of the three bait types are based on the three ranks of craft guilds, Apprentice, Journeyman (or fellow), and Master (sometimes grandmaster).
  • The Master Bait's name is a double-entendre on the word "masturbate". This is a common joke in the fishing industry, used by real-life fishermen, bait shops, and in numerous hook baiting tutorials.

History

  • Desktop 1.4.0.1: Added 14 new bait items, including Ladybugs, Dragonflies, Water Striders, Maggots, and Underworld critters.
  • Desktop 1.3.0.1:
    • Bait can now be stored in ammo slots.
    • Apprentice, Journeyman and Master Baits now have new sprites.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Information taken from the Desktop version Desktop 1.4.4.9 source code, method ItemCheck_CheckFishingBobber_PickAndConsumeBait() in Terraria.Player.cs.
  2. Information taken from the Desktop version Desktop 1.3.5.3 source code, method UpdateTime() in Terraria.Main.cs. There may be inaccuracies, as the current Desktop version Desktop version is 1.4.4.9.
  3. Information taken from the Desktop version Desktop 1.4.3.6 source code, method LadyBugKilled() in Terraria.NPC.cs. See main page for details. There may be inaccuracies, as the current Desktop version Desktop version is 1.4.4.9.