How to Use Fish Bites (Fishbites): Tips & Where to Buy in NZ

You know the drill. You wake up early, pack your gear, drive to your favourite spot, and then realise your bait is mushy, stolen by small fish, or gone completely. Traditional baits like pilchards and squid work but they have serious drawbacks. They smell, they fall off hooks, and they attract pests before the target fish even show up.

Fishbites artificial bait changes that equation. This American made product uses a unique formula that releases scent slowly in water, stays on your hook longer, and targets the fish you actually want to catch. No mess, no waste, and it works across different species common to New Zealand waters.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know about using Fishbites in New Zealand. You'll learn what Fishbites actually are, how to choose the right type for your fishing, how to rig them properly, and where to buy them locally. Whether you fish from the wharf, the beach, or a boat, these tips help you get more bites and fewer headaches.

What is Fishbites bait

Fishbites is an artificial fishing bait developed by marine scientists at the University of Florida. Unlike traditional baits, Fishbites uses a patented gel formula that combines natural fish attractants with a durable base material. The product comes in strips, chunks, and pre-formed shapes that mimic natural prey items like squid, clam, shrimp, and sandfleas.

How Fishbites technology works

The core technology behind Fishbites involves controlled scent release. When you place Fishbites in water, the gel slowly dissolves and releases amino acids and other compounds that fish naturally hunt for. This process creates a scent trail that lasts far longer than cut bait or frozen options. The base material stays intact on your hook while the outer layers dissolve, which means you get extended fishing time without constant re-baiting.

Fishbites releases scent 800 times longer than traditional cut bait, according to independent testing.

Key differences from natural bait

Traditional baits require refrigeration, create mess, and attract bait stealers quickly. Fishbites eliminates these problems completely. You store it at room temperature, cut exactly what you need, and the rest stays fresh in the packet. The product also targets specific species through scent formulations, so you catch fewer unwanted fish. For New Zealand anglers, this means less time dealing with undersized snapper or pest species while waiting for legal keepers to bite.

Step 1. Choose the right Fishbites for your trip

Fishbites comes in multiple formats and scent profiles, each designed for specific fishing situations. Your choice depends on two main factors: the target species you want to catch and the fishing environment where you plan to drop your line. Making the right selection upfront saves you time and money on the water.

Match Fishbites type to your target species

Different fish species respond to different scent profiles and bait shapes. Snapper, for example, feed heavily on shellfish and crustaceans, so Fishbites EZ Clam or Fish'n Strips in clam scent work exceptionally well. Kahawai prefer fast-moving prey, making the Fight Club or shrimp-scented options more effective when you pair them with active retrieval techniques.

You need to match your Fishbites selection to what your target species naturally eats. Here's a practical breakdown for common New Zealand species:

Consider your fishing location

Shore-based fishing requires different Fishbites formats than boat fishing. When you fish from wharves or beaches with strong currents, use thicker strips or chunks that stay on your hook through rough water and repeated casting. The EZ range and Fish'n Chunks hold up better in these conditions.

Boat fishing in calmer waters lets you use thinner Fish'n Strips that release scent faster but break down more quickly. You can also experiment with smaller pieces since you're not dealing with powerful surf or the physical stress of long casts. Burley trails work differently at different depths, so adjust your Fishbites size based on how deep you're fishing and how much current you're fighting.

Choose thicker Fishbites formats when fishing high-current areas to maximise hook time and reduce re-baiting frequency.

Step 2. Rig Fishbites for common NZ rigs

Fishbites works with standard New Zealand fishing rigs, but you need to adjust your rigging technique slightly to maximise its effectiveness. The material behaves differently than natural bait, so understanding proper attachment methods keeps your bait secure and increases your hook-up rate. These rigging instructions apply whether you're targeting snapper off the rocks or kahawai from the wharf.

Strayline rig setup for Fishbites

Cut your Fishbites into 2-3 centimetre strips for strayline fishing. Thread the strip onto your hook by piercing it once near the top, then bringing the hook point back through the middle section. This double-pierce method locks the bait in place without bunching it up against the hook eye. Leave a small tail hanging past the hook bend to create natural movement in the current.

Use circle hooks sized 4/0 to 6/0 for snapper when straylining with Fishbites. The gel material compresses slightly when fish bite, which helps circle hooks rotate and find the corner of the mouth. You want approximately half the strip above the hook point and half below it for balanced presentation.

Thread Fishbites twice through your hook to prevent spin and keep the bait positioned correctly in strong currents.

Running sinker rig configuration

A running sinker rig needs longer Fishbites strips because the sinker's weight puts extra stress on your bait. Cut strips 4-5 centimetres long and thread them the same way as strayline rigs, but add a third pierce point near the bottom. This extra anchor point stops the bait from sliding down the hook shank when you cast or when fish investigate it.

Position your sinker 30-40 centimetres above the hook to give the fish bites enough movement without creating excessive drag. The Fishbites scent trail works better when the bait sits slightly off the bottom, so adjust your sinker weight to match current conditions rather than using the heaviest weight possible.

Paternoster rig with multiple Fishbites

Paternoster rigs let you fish two or three hooks simultaneously with different Fishbites types. Cut smaller pieces for each hook, roughly 1.5-2 centimetres per strip, since you're covering more water column. Vary your Fishbites scents across hooks to test what's working best on any given day.

Space your hooks 25-30 centimetres apart on the paternoster to prevent tangles. The top hook should carry lighter scent profiles like shrimp or squid, while bottom hooks work better with clam or crab scents that target bottom-feeding species. This multi-level approach lets you catch different species on the same rig.

Step 3. Fish smarter with Fishbites in NZ

Using Fishbites effectively goes beyond just putting it on your hook. You need to understand when to replace your bait, how to store it properly, and which water conditions maximise its effectiveness. These techniques separate anglers who catch consistently from those who wonder why fish bites aren't working for them.

Replace Fishbites at the right intervals

Change your Fishbites every 45-60 minutes even if it still looks intact on your hook. The scent compounds deplete faster than the physical material breaks down, so visually fresh bait might not be releasing enough attractant anymore. You'll notice the gel becomes lighter in colour and firmer in texture as it depletes. This signals the time to cut a fresh piece.

Check your bait after every significant bite or pull, even if you don't hook up. Fish often damage the scent-releasing outer layer without taking the whole bait. A quick inspection saves you from fishing with compromised material that won't attract more strikes.

Replace Fishbites every 45-60 minutes to maintain optimal scent release, regardless of how the bait looks physically.

Store and handle Fishbites correctly

Keep unopened packets in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. Fishbites lasts months at room temperature but degrades quickly in heat or humidity. Once you open a packet, reseal it tightly with a clip or zip-lock bag to prevent the remaining material from drying out.

Cut only what you need for each session. Pre-cutting multiple strips exposes more surface area to air, which accelerates drying. Use sharp scissors or a knife to get clean edges that stay on your hook better than torn pieces. Bring your cutting tool to the water rather than preparing strips at home.

Where to buy Fishbites in New Zealand

You can purchase Fishbites through specialist fishing retailers across New Zealand, both in-store and online. Most tackle shops that stock imported American fishing products carry the Fishbites range, though availability varies by location and stock levels.

Online retailers offer the widest selection and most consistent stock. Action Outdoors stocks multiple Fishbites formats including EZ Baits, Fish'n Strips, and Fight Club lures, with delivery throughout New Zealand. You'll find better pricing when you buy multiple packets at once, and online shopping lets you compare different scent profiles before committing to your purchase.

Physical stores in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch typically carry fish bites, but ring ahead to confirm they have your preferred format in stock. Smaller regional tackle shops may need to special order specific types, which adds wait time to your fishing plans.

Order Fishbites online to access the full range of formats and scents without relying on limited local stock.

Final thoughts on Fishbites

Fishbites artificial bait solves the storage, mess, and consistency problems that plague traditional baits. You get longer-lasting scent trails, reduced bait theft from pests, and the ability to target specific species through engineered formulations. The product works across different New Zealand fishing environments when you choose the right format and rig it properly.

Success comes down to matching scent profiles to your target species, replacing bait before scent depletion occurs, and understanding how water conditions affect performance. You'll experience more fish bites when you combine these artificial baits with proper fishing techniques and quality gear.

Pair your Fishbites with quality fishing nets designed for New Zealand waters to maximize your catch. The right equipment combination makes every trip more productive and helps you land more of what you're targeting.