Crafting Your Catch: A Deep Dive into Craftable Bait in Terraria

Yes, there is craftable bait in Terraria, though its availability is somewhat limited. The primary craftable bait is the Worm. This vital component for fishing isn’t found naturally through digging or catching with a net; instead, it must be created at a crafting station. While other forms of bait are acquired through catching critters or purchasing from NPCs, the Worm stands out as the sole bait option that players can consistently and reliably make themselves, provided they have the necessary materials and crafting station. This makes it a foundational aspect of early-game fishing for Terraria adventurers.

The Humble Worm: Your Craftable Fishing Staple

The Worm is crafted using 5 pieces of dirt at either an anvil or a lead/iron anvil. This simplicity makes it incredibly accessible for new players, ensuring that they can participate in fishing from the moment they acquire a fishing rod.

Why Craft Worms?

• Reliable Source of Bait: Unlike other bait that depends on critter spawns or vendor inventory, Worms provide a consistent supply. Once you have access to dirt, you always have the means to make more.
• Early Game Accessibility: The materials required (dirt) are readily available, and the crafting station (anvil or lead/iron anvil) is one of the first crafting stations players often acquire.
• Foundation of Fishing: Crafting Worms is often the initial step for players exploring fishing, establishing an early-game resource that can sustain many early fishing expeditions.
• Bait Power: While not the most potent bait available, the Worm’s 25% bait power is sufficient for early-game catches, making it a valuable tool for completing fishing quests or obtaining early resources.

Beyond Crafting: The World of Bait Acquisition

While Worms are a solid start, Terraria boasts a diverse array of bait beyond what you can craft. Most of these options involve catching critters or purchasing them from vendors. Understanding these other methods is essential for becoming a well-rounded angler.

Catching Critters

Most invertebrate critters (insects, scorpions, snails, and, yes, worms) can be used as bait. To catch these critters, you will need a Bug Net, Lavaproof Bug Net, or a Golden Bug Net. Simply swing the net at the critter to collect them.

• Bug Nets: The standard Bug Net is easily obtained early, allowing you to collect most ground and flying insects.
• Lavaproof Bug Net: This upgraded version lets you catch critters in lava, opening up new bait possibilities in the Underworld.
• Golden Bug Net: The pinnacle of bug nets, it provides the highest catch speed, helping you collect critters faster.

Purchasing Bait

The Fisherman NPC becomes available once the Angler has been rescued and there are at least 5 town NPCs. He sells various fishing items, including multiple kinds of bait, providing another avenue for acquiring those essential fishing necessities. His offerings can vary based on the game’s progression and events. This means checking with him periodically to see what’s on his shelves is a wise strategy for any dedicated angler.

Other Ways to Obtain Bait

Beyond critters and vendors, the game includes additional methods for finding bait:

• Can of Worms: These consumable grab bag items can be found in chests at the Surface and Underground layers or by tossing an Herb Bag into shimmer. Opening these will grant you a random number of worms.
• Worm-Filled Rocks: Breaking large rocks in the background has a good chance of releasing worms. These background features are a common and helpful resource for finding free bait when adventuring.
• Gold Worms: While not necessarily the best bait in terms of fishing power, they can be used for bait if you find one while catching them with a net. Gold Worms are rare, golden variants of the ordinary worm.

Mastering Bait in Terraria

Understanding the different types of bait and how to obtain them is crucial for a successful fishing experience in Terraria. While crafting Worms provides a reliable foundation, being aware of other methods will let you expand your horizons and catch rare fish.

Bait Power and Its Impact

The bait power of each bait item influences the chances of catching a fish and the speed at which you get a “bite.” Different baits have different power values. Worms have 25% bait power, while more complex critters can offer higher percentage values, leading to a more efficient fishing session. Using the right bait at the right time can greatly impact your overall fishing experience.

Fishing in Lava

Fishing in lava is a special case. Only specific lava-resistant baits such as Magma Snails, Lavaflies, or Hell Butterflies can be used for lava fishing without special fishing equipment. These can be caught with a Lavaproof Bug Net or a Golden Bug Net, or you can use a Hotline Fishing Hook. Understanding how to acquire lava-specific bait adds another layer to your fishing capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best overall bait in Terraria?

The “best” bait varies based on specific circumstances, but generally, baits with higher bait power, like Master Bait (50%), are considered superior because they significantly increase the chances of catching rare and valuable fish. Truffle Worms are also highly sought after due to their use in summoning the powerful Duke Fishron boss.

2. How do I get a Lavaproof Bug Net?

The Lavaproof Bug Net is crafted using a Bug Net, 15 Obsidian, and 10 Hellstone Bars at an anvil or lead/iron anvil. This item is essential for catching critters in the Underworld.

3. Is there a way to farm worms in Terraria?

Yes, breaking larger rocks in the background is the best way to farm worms, as this has a high chance of releasing them. You can create an area specifically for this, where you repeatedly break rocks and collect the worms.

4. What is the bait power of a Gold Worm?

The Gold Worm has the same bait power as a regular worm, at 25%, making them a collectible rather than a superior fishing option.

5. Can I fish without bait in Terraria?

No, bait is mandatory for fishing in Terraria. While you can cast your line without bait, you won’t be able to catch anything.

6. What does the Fisherman NPC sell?

The Fisherman NPC sells various fishing items including bait, fish, fishing rods, and fishing related accessories. His inventory changes so it’s wise to check back often.

7. How do I get a Can of Worms?

Can of Worms can be found in chests at the Surface and Underground layers, or by tossing an Herb Bag into shimmer.

8. What is the best fishing rod in Terraria?

The Golden Fishing Rod is generally considered the best due to its high fishing power and versatility, followed by the Hotline Fishing Hook for lava fishing.

9. Where do I find Lavaflies?

Lavaflies spawn occasionally in the Underworld at night. They can be caught with a Lavaproof Bug Net or Golden Bug Net.

10. How rare are Truffle Worms?

Truffle Worms are found in Mushroom biomes and are quite rare, with about a 1/35 (or lower) chance of spawning after an enemy spawn. This makes them highly sought-after for summoning Duke Fishron.

11. How do I summon Duke Fishron?

Duke Fishron is summoned by fishing in the Ocean biome using a Truffle Worm as bait.

12. What are worm-filled rocks?

Worm-filled rocks are background objects that, when broken, have a good chance of releasing worms as bait.

13. What is the bait power of the Master Bait?

Master Bait has a bait power of 50%, making it one of the most powerful baits in the game.

14. Can you get bait from statues?

No, while many critters can be spawned by statues, they cannot be caught by the Bug Net when spawned from statues.

15. What is shimmer?

Shimmer is a liquid that can be found in the Aether biome. When items like Herb Bags are tossed into it, they are converted to other items like Can of Worms.