Fishing Lures Explained

Why fish lures

Lures imitate the look and movement of prey, triggering fish to strike out of instinct — sometimes hunger, sometimes aggression, sometimes pure reaction. Unlike live bait, lures don't need to be kept alive, and they can be cast and retrieved repeatedly to cover water. Once you learn them, lures are efficient and endlessly fun.

Soft plastic baits

Soft plastic lures — worms, grubs, craws, and creatures — are among the most versatile and forgiving lures. They're cheap, come in endless colors, and can be rigged many ways. For bass and many other species, a soft plastic worm is the single most effective lure there is. They're the perfect first lure.

Spinnerbaits

A spinnerbait has a wire arm with spinning blades and a skirted hook. The blades flash and vibrate as you retrieve, attracting fish from a distance. Spinnerbaits are versatile, snag-resistant, and effective in many conditions — a great all-around bass lure and easy for beginners to fish.

Spoons

Spoons are simple curved metal lures that wobble and flash as they're retrieved. They've been catching fish for over a century because they work — for trout, bass, pike, and more. Cast and retrieve a spoon, and its flash mimics a fleeing baitfish. They're simple, effective, and affordable.

Crankbaits

Crankbaits are hard-bodied lures with a diving lip that makes them wobble and dive as you reel. They come in different diving depths — shallow, medium, and deep. Crankbaits are excellent for covering water and triggering reaction strikes from bass and other predators. Match the diving depth to the water.

Topwater lures

Topwater lures float and are worked across the surface — poppers, frogs, and walking baits. When a fish hits a topwater lure, the strike is explosive and visible, which is why anglers love them. They're best in low light and calm water. Few things in fishing are more exciting than a surface strike.

Jigs

A jig is a weighted hook with a skirt or soft plastic body. Jigs are incredibly versatile — you can fish them on the bottom, swim them through the water, or hop them along structure. They're a favorite for bass, walleye, and panfish. Jigs reward patience and a slow, deliberate presentation.

Match the lure to the conditions

The right lure depends on the conditions — water clarity, depth, and what the fish are feeding on. In clear water, use natural colors; in murky water, use bright or noisy lures. Match your lure's action and depth to the situation, and you'll trigger more strikes.

Don't buy everything

You don't need dozens of lures to start. A handful — a soft plastic worm, a spinnerbait, a spoon, and a topwater lure — covers most situations. Learn to fish those well before expanding. A small collection you know how to use beats a big box of lures you don't understand.

Experiment and learn

The best way to learn lures is to fish them. Each lure has its own feel, action, and retrieve, and you'll learn them by using them. Experiment with retrieves, colors, and depths, and notice what triggers strikes. Over time, you'll develop instincts for which lure to reach for.

Learn one lure at a time

Rather than buying a box full of lures and switching constantly, pick one lure and learn to fish it well. Spend a few trips mastering its retrieve, depth, and feel before moving on. A lure you truly understand catches more fish than ten you don't.

Depth of knowledge beats breadth. Master your lures one at a time, and your confidence — and catch rate — will grow steadily.