1. a small fish of the smelt family found in northern Atlantic waters, used as food and bait
Usage: chiefly North American

Examples

• The fishermen used caplin as bait for cod.
• Caplin migrate to shallow waters to spawn in summer.
• The restaurant served fresh caplin with lemon and herbs.
• Whales feed on schools of caplin during their migration.
• Local markets sell dried caplin as a traditional snack.
• The caplin run attracts many seabirds to the coast.