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Bait vs. Lure — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023
Bait is usually a substance or object used to attract prey, often consumable. Lure is a device or implement designed to attract and deceive, generally not consumed by the prey. Bait is often organic; Lures are typically artificial.
Bait vs. Lure — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Bait and Lure

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Key Differences

Bait is typically a consumable substance used to attract animals for hunting, fishing, or trapping.
Lure, on the other hand, is generally an inedible object designed to mimic the appearance or behavior of prey.
Bait is often organic, such as food or pheromones.
Lure is usually artificial, created from materials like plastic, metal, or feathers.
Bait is often used in static hunting methods like traps and stationary fishing lines.
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Lure is commonly used in active fishing techniques that involve movement, such as trolling or casting.
Bait usually decomposes over time, necessitating replacement.
Lure is reusable, making it a longer-lasting option for attracting prey.
Bait can attract a wide range of animals depending on what substance is used.
Lure is often designed to attract specific types of fish or animals through visual or auditory means.

Comparison Chart

Consumability

Usually consumable
Not consumed

Material

Often organic
Typically artificial

Usage

Static hunting methods
Active techniques

Durability

Decomposes
Reusable

Target

General
Often specific

Compare with Definitions

Bait

An edible or appetizing item used in hunting or fishing.
She cut up worms for fish bait.

Lure

A device used to attract fish or other animals.
He bought a new lure for his fishing trip.

Bait

Organic matter used in traps.
He put raw meat as bait in the bear trap.

Lure

An object used in active fishing techniques.
She used a spinning lure to catch the bass.

Bait

A decoy or distraction.
The team used a bait strategy in the game.

Lure

A reusable tool in hunting or fishing.
Lures can be used multiple times, unlike bait.

Bait

Food placed on a hook or in a net, trap, or fishing area to entice fish or other animals as prey
Herrings make excellent bait for pike
Fishing with live baits

Lure

A form of enticement or temptation.
The offer was just a lure to get him to sign up.

Bait

Variant spelling of bate

Lure

Something that tempts or attracts with the promise of pleasure or reward
The lure of the open road.

Bait

Deliberately annoy or taunt (someone)
The other boys revelled in baiting him about his love of literature

Lure

An attraction or appeal
Living on the ocean has a lure for many retirees.

Bait

Put bait on (a hook) or in (a trap, net, or fishing area) to entice fish or animals
I used a hook baited with fat

Lure

A decoy used in catching animals, especially an artificial bait used in catching fish.

Bait

Food or other lure placed on a hook or in a trap and used in the taking of fish, birds, or other animals.

Lure

A bunch of feathers attached to a long cord, used in falconry to recall the hawk.

Bait

Something, such as a worm, used for this purpose.

Lure

To attract or entice, especially by wiles or temptation
Customers were lured to the store by ads promising big discounts.

Bait

An enticement, temptation, or provocation
He did not take the bait by responding to the taunt and getting drawn into an argument.

Lure

To recall (a falcon) with a lure.

Bait

To place a lure in (a trap) or on (a fishing hook).

Lure

Something that tempts or attracts, especially one with a promise of reward or pleasure.

Bait

To entice or provoke, especially by trickery or strategy
He baited me into selling him my bike by saying how much I deserved a better one.

Lure

(fishing) An artificial bait attached to a fishing line to attract fish.

Bait

To set dogs upon (a chained animal, for example) for sport.

Lure

(falconry) A bunch of feathers attached to a line, used in falconry to recall the hawk.

Bait

To taunt or torment (someone), as with persistent insults or ridicule
"He baited him mercilessly and had all sorts of unpleasant names for him" (Ruth Prawer Jhabvala).

Lure

A velvet smoothing brush.

Bait

To feed (an animal), especially on a journey.

Lure

(musical instrument) lur

Bait

To stop for food or rest during a trip.

Lure

(intransitive) To attract by temptation, appeal, or guile.

Bait

Variant of bate2.

Lure

(transitive) To attract fish with a lure.

Bait

Any substance, especially food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, trap, or net.

Lure

To recall a hawk with a lure.

Bait

Food containing poison or a harmful additive to kill animals that are pests.

Lure

A contrivance somewhat resembling a bird, and often baited with raw meat; - used by falconers in recalling hawks.

Bait

Anything which allures; something used to lure or entice someone or something into doing something

Lure

Any enticement; that which invites by the prospect of advantage or pleasure; a decoy.

Bait

A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.

Lure

A velvet smoothing brush.

Bait

(Geordie) A packed lunch.

Lure

To draw to the lure; hence, to allure or invite by means of anything that promises pleasure or advantage; to entice; to attract.
I am not lured with love.
And various science lures the learned eye.

Bait

(East Anglia) A small meal taken mid-morning while farming.

Lure

To recall a hawk or other animal.

Bait

(Northern England) A miner's packed meal.

Lure

Qualities that attract by seeming to promise some kind of reward

Bait

A light or hasty luncheon.

Lure

Anything that serves as an enticement

Bait

(internet slang) A post intended to get a rise out of others.
Please stop posting bait, or I will have to mute you.

Lure

Something used to lure victims into danger

Bait

En
Sequel bait
Netflix bait

Lure

Provoke someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises or persuasion;
He lured me into temptation

Bait

(transitive) To attract with bait; to entice.

Lure

An artificial object designed to mimic prey.
The lure looked like a small fish.

Bait

(transitive) To affix bait to a trap or a fishing hook or fishing line.

Bait

(transitive) To set dogs on (an animal etc.) to bite or worry; to attack with dogs, especially for sport.
To bait a bear with dogs;
To bait a bull

Bait

(transitive) To intentionally annoy, torment, or threaten by constant rebukes or threats; to harass.

Bait

To feed and water (a horse or other animal), especially during a journey.

Bait

(intransitive) (of a horse or other animal) To take food, especially during a journey.

Bait

(intransitive) (of a person) To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment during a journey.

Bait

To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey.

Bait

(MLE) Obvious; blatant.

Bait

(MLE) Well-known; famous; renowned.

Bait

Any substance, esp. food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, inclosure, or net.

Bait

Anything which allures; a lure; enticement; temptation.

Bait

A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.

Bait

A light or hasty luncheon.

Bait

To provoke and harass; esp., to harass or torment for sport; as, to bait a bear with dogs; to bait a bull.

Bait

To give a portion of food and drink to, upon the road; as, to bait horses.

Bait

To furnish or cover with bait, as a trap or hook.
A crooked pin . . . baited with a vile earthworm.

Bait

To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment of one's self or one's beasts, on a journey.
Evil news rides post, while good news baits.
My lord's coach conveyed me to Bury, and thence baiting at Newmarket.

Bait

To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey.

Bait

Anything that serves as an enticement

Bait

Something used to lure victims into danger

Bait

Harass with persistent criticism or carping;
The children teased the new teacher
Don't ride me so hard over my failure
His fellow workers razzed him when he wore a jacket and tie

Bait

Lure, entice, or entrap with bait

Bait

Attack with dogs or set dogs upon

Bait

A substance used to attract animals or fish.
He used cheese as bait for the mouse trap.

Bait

An enticement or allure, sometimes metaphorical.
The low prices served as bait for customers.

Common Curiosities

Is Lure artificial?

Lures are typically made of artificial materials like plastic or metal.

What is Bait?

Bait is a consumable substance or object used to attract prey.

What is Lure?

Lure is a non-consumable object designed to attract and deceive prey.

Can Bait attract multiple species?

Yes, depending on the bait used, it can attract a variety of animals.

When is Bait used?

Bait is used in static hunting methods like traps or stationary fishing lines.

Is Bait usually organic?

Yes, bait is often organic like food or scents.

Can Bait be reused?

Bait often decomposes and generally needs to be replaced.

Is Lure reusable?

Yes, lures are usually reusable.

Is Lure more expensive than Bait?

Lures may cost more upfront but are usually reusable.

When is Lure used?

Lure is commonly used in active fishing techniques like casting or trolling.

Is Bait always food?

Bait is usually food, but it can also include other organic materials like pheromones.

Does Lure mimic food?

Lures mimic the appearance or movement of prey but are not usually consumable.

Is Lure species-specific?

Lures are often designed to target specific species.

Is Bait cheaper than Lure?

Bait is often cheaper initially but may require frequent replacement.

Can Bait and Lure be used together?

Yes, bait and lure can be combined for more effective results.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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