Fishing is both an art and a science, and one of the key components of any successful fishing trip is the type of lure used. The right fishing lure can make all the difference in attracting the desired fish species, and there is a vast array of lures designed to mimic various prey and provoke different responses from fish. This article will explore the most common types of fishing lures, explaining their characteristics, when to use them, and what fish they target.
Jigs
Jigs are one of the most versatile and widely used fishing lures. They consist of a weighted head, often made of lead and a hook that is often paired with soft plastic, feathers, or other materials to create motion in the water.
- How They Work: Jigs are designed to move in a vertical motion, bouncing off the bottom to attract fish. This makes them especially effective in deep waters or near the bottom where fish often feed.
- Best For: Bass, walleye, and pike, as well as many saltwater species like flounder and snapper.
- When to Use: Jigs are great for slow fishing conditions, such as in colder weather when fish are less active. They can be used in freshwater or saltwater environments.
Spinnerbaits
Spinnerbaits are known for their unique design and ability to attract fish through vibration and flash. These lures typically have a wire frame with a hook on one side and one or more spinning blades on the other.
- How They Work: The blades on spinnerbaits spin as they move through the water, creating vibrations and flashing light, which mimics the appearance of small, fleeing baitfish. This excites predatory fish, triggering their attack instincts.
- Best For: Largemouth bass, pike, and perch.
- When to Use: Spinnerbaits work well in murky or stained waters, where their vibration helps fish locate the lure. They can also be used effectively in grassy or weedy areas where other types of lures might get snagged.
Crankbaits
Crankbaits are hard-bodied lures that are designed to mimic the swimming action of baitfish. They come in various shapes and sizes and are categorized by their diving depth – shallow, medium, or deep.
- How They Work: Crankbaits have a plastic lip or bill on the front, which causes the lure to dive and wobble when retrieved. The size of the bill determines how deep the crankbait will go, with larger bills diving deeper.
- Best For: Bass, walleye, trout, and muskies.
- When to Use: These lures are most effective in open waters where you can take advantage of their diving action. Depending on the season and where fish are located (near the surface, mid-depth, or deeper), you can choose crankbaits with the appropriate diving depth.
Spoons
Spoon lures are named for their resemblance to the shape of a spoon, with one concave side. These lures are among the oldest types of fishing lures and continue to be popular due to their simplicity and effectiveness.
- How They Work: As they move through the water, spoons wobble side to side, reflecting light and mimicking the movements of a wounded baitfish. This irregular movement is highly attractive to predatory fish.
- Best For: Trout, salmon, northern pike, and muskies.
- When to Use: Spoons can be used in both freshwater and saltwater, making them incredibly versatile. They are especially effective in clear water where their reflective quality can attract fish from a distance.
Soft Plastics
Soft plastic lures are incredibly diverse and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They are often made to mimic worms, crawfish, frogs, minnows, and other creatures that fish feed on.
- How They Work: Soft plastics can be rigged in numerous ways, including Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, or simply threaded onto a hook. The soft, flexible material allows these lures to move naturally in the water, making them appear lifelike to fish.
- Best For: Bass, panfish, trout, and redfish.
- When to Use: Soft plastics are especially effective in slow-moving or still waters. They can be fished at various depths and retrieved slowly to mimic a vulnerable creature, attracting predatory fish looking for an easy meal.
Topwater Lures
Topwater lures are designed to float on the water’s surface, and they create a commotion that mimics struggling bait or insects skimming across the water. This action provokes dramatic strikes from fish that hunt near the surface.
- How They Work: These lures may pop, spit, or wobble on the water’s surface, depending on the design. Their noisy, splashy action is irresistible to fish lurking below.
- Best For: Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and pike.
- When to Use: Early mornings and late evenings are ideal for topwater fishing when fish are more likely to be near the surface. They are also effective in warmer months when fish are feeding aggressively.
Swimbaits
Swimbaits are soft plastic or hard-bodied lures that resemble fish. They are designed to move with a realistic swimming action, making them a great option for catching large predatory fish.
- How They Work: Swimbaits have a jointed or segmented body that allows them to move naturally in the water, mimicking the swimming pattern of a real baitfish. Some swimbaits are also rigged with paddle tails that create additional movement.
- Best For: Bass, walleye, muskies, and striped bass.
- When to Use: Swimbaits are perfect for situations where fish are feeding on larger baitfish. They are particularly effective in clear water where fish rely more on sight than other senses.
Buzzbaits
Buzzbaits are a type of surface lure similar to spinnerbaits, but they have a propeller-like blade that creates a lot of surface disturbance as it’s retrieved.
- How They Work: As the lure is retrieved, the blade spins and churns the water, creating a buzzing sound that attracts fish. This commotion mimics the noise of prey struggling at the surface, enticing predatory fish to strike.
- Best For: Bass, pike, and muskie.
- When to Use: Buzzbaits are highly effective during the warmer months, particularly in the early morning or evening when fish are more actively feeding near the surface.
Fly Lures
Fly lures are lightweight, artificial imitations of insects, small baitfish, or other prey items designed for fly fishing.
- How They Work: Fly lures are cast using a specialized fly rod and reel. The flies can either float on the surface (dry flies) or sink below (wet flies or nymphs), depending on the type of prey being mimicked.
- Best For: Trout, salmon, and panfish.
- When to Use: Fly fishing is most often used in rivers and streams, though it can also be effective in lakes. Fly lures are best for targeting fish that are feeding on insects or other small prey at or near the water’s surface.
Conclusion
Selecting the right fishing lure can significantly impact your success on the water. Understanding how each type of lure works and when to use it can help you target specific species more effectively. Whether you’re fishing for bass in freshwater lakes or trolling for salmon in coastal waters, the proper use of jigs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and other common lures will enhance your fishing experience and increase your catch. Experiment with different types of lures to find the ones that work best for your local waters and target species.
