baitfish

[ beyt-fish ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) bait·fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) bait·fish·es.

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of baitfish¹

bait + fish

Example Sentences

At one point, when a section of the water began to boil with baitfish, our tour guide announced that we might see a lunge—a dramatic feeding behavior in which a whale leaps out of the water from below, perfect for photo-ops and close looks.

From Slate

It was, the paper suggested, a universal phenomenon: Without enough baitfish, seabirds can’t survive.

From Slate

But for a humble baitfish, best known locally for the foul odor it emits when it’s rendered into meal, making its way to the presidential dinner table was a Cinderella moment.

From Slate

Silvery schools of baitfish dart and shimmer around the structures, chased by sleek, fast-moving predators.

From Salon

Marine experts believe the increase in shark attacks is due to more baitfish returning to New York’s cleaner coastal waters.

From Washington Times