As an angler, what you put at the end of your fishing line matters. It will determine whether you will have dinner or go home empty-handed and frustrated. A fishing lure is an artificial bait to catch fish. Unlike the live bait that is perishable, lures come in various shapes, sizes, and colors.
Lures are different because fish are different. Of course, what works for one fish is most likely not to work for the other. Moreover, there’s no such thing as a perfect lure that works every time you go fishing. But that’s the beauty of fishing-adjusting your tricks to overcome a challenge.
So, which lure should you use? In preparation for your fishing escapades, let’s take a look at the popular types of different lures and how to use them.
1- Jigs
Jigs are among the most popular and oldest lures ever used. They have a metallic rounded weight attached to one side and a hook on the other. The weighty head makes the jigs sink quickly hence perfect for the bottom feeders. A jig comprises a camouflage skirt around the hook that’s of fibrous material.
You can opt to get a scented jig or add or even add bait on it to catch more fish. Also, select colors that match the season, for instance, blue and brown in summer and bright colors in winter. Jig lures are the best for beginners because of specific their specific features such as;
- Weed guards inhibit line tangles and casting problems
- The weighty head makes the casting line easier
- Internal rattles increase vibrations in water hence attracting more fish.
How to use jigs:
- Cast the jig to the bottom. When the line becomes loose, your jig is at the bottom.
- Begin the jig by slightly lifting your rod and retrieving the line as you lower it again.
- Jig by adjusting your speed to see which the best movement attracting fish is.
- Focus on the line as a single strike can lead to the weakest pull.
They are perfect when targeting bottom species like the dogtooth tuna, bass, and panfish. Jigging is ideal in both fresh and saltwater.
2- Spinners
Like its name, spinners have a spinning shiny and reflective metallic blade on one side and hooks on the other. The hook might come dressed or scented for more fish attraction. However, they have a variety of colors and shapes reliant on the type of fish. What’s more?
They move horizontally on the surface of the water, causing vibrations and color reflections. They are perfect for novices since they are cheap and don’t require many techniques of use. With the variety of spinners in the market, a beginner should stick to narrow blades for fishing in grassy areas and larger blades in rocky or stumpy areas.
Because weight is a significant consideration in spinners, the lighter ones are best for fishing in ponds and shallow waters and the heavier ones for deep and bottom fishing. When it comes to color, please keep it simple. If you are fishing during the day, fish fast for the fish to focus on the significant contrast of colors and comprehend the lures. During the night, use white spinners with black spinnerbaits to create a difference that will effortlessly attract the fish.
How to use spinners: for muddy water, put your spinnerbait slightly beneath the surface to attract the fish. Also, the spinning blades flash across the water-attracting more fish. Make sure the rod is high, and the blades are underneath the surface. Spinners are perfect for fishing salmon and trout.
3- Crankbaits or Plugs
They are hard plastics or wood, sometimes reflective of baitfish and other prey’s shapes and colors. The plugs usually have 2-3 hooks and plastic lips attached to the nose. These lips enable a diving motion when ripped or dragged in the water. The bigger the lips, the deeper they dive into the water. Therefore, crankbaits are for targeting fish at different depths. Read on.
Plugs have eyelets that make them easy to thread them on the hook. The larger the crankbait, the larger the fish it should catch, and the smaller the plug, the smaller the fish to catch. Moreover, the shape and size of plugs determine the action. Experienced anglers know how to use them at different speed intervals to catch fish.
Nevertheless, the use mechanism is sinking the head first since the hooks are likely to be an obstacle when they catch the bottom. That is why the plugs are ideal for beginners who want to begin freshwater fishing.
How to use crankbaits: usually, plugs float or suspend in water but dive abruptly when pulled back. Plugs have the design of a fish that lures big fish. Shaky two-piece plugs create vibrations in the water when reeling that lure fish. For a variety of fish, keep changing the twitching and staggering speed.
4- Spoons
These are oval-shaped shiny concave metals (like a spoon) with a hook. The spoons make a wobbly motion in the water that mimics a dying or injured baitfish. The curve’s size determines the size of the wobble effect; the more significant the curve, the bigger the wobble. Also, the bright colors attract fish from a distance.
Spoons vary in size depending on the size of the targeted species. You can use it from a fishing line or by dragging on a boat in the sea while trolling. Just like a spinner, they reflect light and move erratically in the water, hoping to catch fish. What’s more?
Because of their simplicity and cost-effective nature, spoons are ideal for beginners. You don’t need to jerk or twitch them in any specific way; instead, they are ready to use; hence just cast them and wait for the fish.
Remarkably, spoons usually cast afar and accurate can remain in the water for an extended period without the need for recasts. Just a one throw and you are ready to go. Also, spoons are more durable than rubber, plastic, and wooden lures.
However, if you are an angler who wants to experiment with different luring fish styles, spoons aren’t the exciting type to offer versatility.
How to use spoons: you can either troll or cast a knife. If you want to launch, aim for a 10-20ft difference below the target area and reclaim on the same point. The spoon’s speed determines the wobbling effect; hence, too fast or too slow is not correct. Take a keen look at the rate of the spoon to determine the retrieval speed.
5- Soft Plastics
The soft plastics take any shape of live baits such as worms, fish, frogs, and lizards. They are for surface or shallow water fishing. Also, you can attach them to other lures like the jigs for deep water fishing.
When cast in water, they move with the current seeming so easy to catch by hungry fish. Moreover, they are lures that almost all anglers have as they are cheap and readily available. Soft baits are perfect for all water conditions.
How to use soft plastics: you can retrieve soft plastics by reeling or pulling a line to imitate movement.
Pros of Fishing Lures
- With lures, you can cast further than live baits
- Lures do not decompose or smell
- Since the fish cannot swallow the entire hook, lures are ideal for the drop and retrieve motion
- You can effortlessly swap lures
- With lures, you can target a species accurately
- Lures are durable, and you can reuse them
Cons of Fishing Lures
- More expensive than live baits
- Can hitch underwater
- Constant motion to catch fish
- Some require specific skills for effectiveness
- Less useful in cold waters
Parting Shot
Most people prefer lures because they provide a wide variety to choose from. Their versatility in cold, fresh, salty, or warm water makes them the ideal type of baits for most fishing skills. This way, you get to catch a variety of fish species. Some of them have a steep learning curve, and you may never know the best one for you until you try several of them. You can also consult experienced anglers when looking for a suitable one.