Originally posted by Subsonic:

If all you want is raw fish then you never need to use higher level bait. Just buy regular bait from the merchant and have a good time fishing in the Meadows. If you like the fishing "quest" then it's something extra to mess around with while doing the progression and exploration in Valheim.

Quest? Do you mean getting the Hat? Ok I could just about see that but lord I hope that's not the Fishing end game!