Game wiki
Stardew Valley Bait Maker and Targeted Bait
Bait Maker guide for Fishing Level 6 crafting, Targeted Bait output, fish-specific hook chance rules, Trout Derby and SquidFest prep, rare fish routing, Crab Pot targeting, and wrong-bait trash risk.
Quick facts
The Bait Maker is crafted after Fishing Level 6 and turns one fish into 5-10 pieces of that fish's Targeted Bait.
Targeted Bait improves the chance of hooking its named fish only when that fish is catchable in the current conditions.
Targeted Bait also works in Crab Pots unless the Mariner profession removes the benefit.
Use targeted bait with a window
Targeted Bait is not a universal fish finder. It is strongest after you already know the fish is available and want fewer wasted hooks inside a narrow route.
- Check season, weather, time, and location before attaching the bait.
- Use it for Trout Derby, SquidFest, legendary attempts, rare fish, and hard bundle fish.
- Switch bait when the target fish's window closes to avoid trash-heavy mistakes.
Bring the machine to the route
Because the Bait Maker processes quickly, event and rare-fish routes can use the first catch to feed the rest of the session.
- Catch one Rainbow Trout or Squid, then turn it into targeted bait during the festival.
- Keep spare fish copies for future bait if the fish has a painful window.
- Use Crab Pot targeted bait for specific pot catches if Mariner is not active.