A bait dispenser (10; 110; 210) for use with a fishing line, the bait dispenser (10; 110; 210) comprising: a bait dispenser body having a head portion and a tail portion (16; 116; 216); the head portion having first and second bait receivers (24a, 24b; 124a, 124b) together defining a bait receiving chamber (27; 127); the first and second bait receivers (24a, 24b; 124a, 124b) being moveable relative to each other between an open and a closed condition at an articulation element (26; 126) located at or adjacent to the tail portion (16; 116; 216); and a releasable securing means (18; 118; 218) at or adjacent to the tail portion (16; 116; 216), characterised in that the releasable securing means (18; 118; 218) comprises a moveable member slidable within a channel of the tail portion (16; 116; 216), and a locking pin (28; 128; 228) biased towards the head portion to secure the first and second bait receivers (24a, 24b; 124a, 124b) in the closed condition, the movable member and locking pin (28; 128; 228) having complementary magnetic fastening means to allow releasable engagement with one another, and a rear end of the moveable member having a fishing line coupling for attaching the bait dispenser to an associated fishing line, a threshold force being applicable by the fishing line to draw the moveable member and locking pin (28; 128; 228) upwards to permit the first and second bait receivers (24a, 24b; 124a, 124b) to move relative to one another to the open condition. a bait dispenser body having a head portion and a tail portion (16; 116; 216); the head portion having first and second bait receivers (24a, 24b; 124a, 124b) together defining a bait receiving chamber (27; 127); the first and second bait receivers (24a, 24b; 124a, 124b) being moveable relative to each other between an open and a closed condition at an articulation element (26; 126) located at or adjacent to the tail portion (16; 116; 216); and the head portion having first and second bait receivers (24a, 24b; 124a, 124b) together defining a bait receiving chamber (27; 127); the first and second bait receivers (24a, 24b; 124a, 124b) being moveable relative to each other between an open and a closed condition at an articulation element (26; 126) located at or adjacent to the tail portion (16; 116; 216); and a releasable securing means (18; 118; 218) at or adjacent to the tail portion (16; 116; 216), characterised in that the releasable securing means (18; 118; 218) comprises a moveable member slidable within a channel of the tail portion (16; 116; 216), and a locking pin (28; 128; 228) biased towards the head portion to secure the first and second bait receivers (24a, 24b; 124a, 124b) in the closed condition, the movable member and locking pin (28; 128; 228) having complementary magnetic fastening means to allow releasable engagement with one another, and a rear end of the moveable member having a fishing line coupling for attaching the bait dispenser to an associated fishing line, a threshold force being applicable by the fishing line to draw the moveable member and locking pin (28; 128; 228) upwards to permit the first and second bait receivers (24a, 24b; 124a, 124b) to move relative to one another to the open condition.