DESCRIZIONE
A bait assembly for fishing, e.g. leisure fishing, is described. The bait assembly comprises a hook coupled to a rearward end of a line. A bait body is slideably or detachably mounted with respect to the line so that in normal use a flexible section of the line extends into the bait body. The bait body may comprise an artificial lure, or may comprises a skewer onto which dead bait may be mounted. A retaining mechanism is arranged between the bait body and the line to bias the bait body in a forward position on the line relative to the hook. Thus when a pulling force is applied between the bait body and the line which overcomes the biasing action of the retaining mechanism, the bait body is operable to move backwards with respect to the line (e.g. by sliding or breaking free), thereby causing a relative forward translational movement of the hook with respect to the bait body. Accordingly, when a fish bites onto the bait body in use, the resulting increased pulling force on the bait body relative to the line causes the hook to move / slide forward in the fish's mouth relative to the bait body. This leads to an increased likelihood of the fish being hooked and so thus providing for an increased hook-up-ratio.