Various Types of Fishing Lures for Spinning Rods

Savvy anglers optimize the versatility of their spinning rods.

Spinning rods can easily handle larger fish species like giant trevallies in the South Pacific.

A top inshore spinning rod can also be used to throw the lighter lures to attract smaller fish like pond bluegills.

However, no spinning rod can do it all by itself.

Fishers must use the right lures in the right conditions to make the most of their versatile spinning rods.

Here Are The Type Of Rods For Each Fishing Lures

Lures for Spinning Rods

Different lures work well with different types of fishing rods.

For instance, large crankbaits & spinnerbaits work well only with baitcasting rods.

Spinner rods don’t perform well with such heavy lures.

But, with smaller, lightweight lures, they’re super-efficient at targeting all types of fish species – from trout to walleyes to crappies.

We’ll only review the lures that weigh less than 1/4 oz in this article as they’re the best suited for spinning rods.

Here are the best ultra-light finesse lures for your spinning rod setup –

Finesse Lures

Finesse lures are designed for finesse fishing – an angling technique that typically involves the use of light tackle and light spinning rods. This technique is more graceful in action.

Finesse lures can be used to target both small & big fish.

Pro anglers usually use light finesse lures in cold, over-fished waters where feeding activities aren’t at their peak levels.

The combination of light skinny lines, soft & light lures, and light action spinning rods tempt the fish back into feeding.

These lures also bounce and bump their way through tall grass and reeds. Here are the best finesse lures for spinning rods –

• Wacky Worms: These lures don’t require any rigging with leaders or weights. They can be affixed right onto the rod’s hook. They do most of the work for the anglers.
• Swimbaits: These popular bass fishing lures disperse a lot of water. Soft plastic swimbaits are light enough for spinning rods. They don’t twitch or jerk too much in open water.
• Small Tubes: Slightly elongated versions of finesse swimbaits that mimic the bodies of baitfish.
• Midwest Finesse Rigs: Ideal for pressured waters and tough fishing conditions. These lures mimic various types of fish food sources.
• Micro Jigs: Finesse micro jigs are super-light. They work best during the spring and summer months when the waters warm up and the fish become more active.

Small spoons and ultra-light poppers are also very good finesse lures for spinning rods.

Soft Plastic Lures

These lures have many features in common – they’re all light, made of soft plastic, and very sensitive.

That’s why fishers can feel very subtle bites when using these lures with their spinning rods.

These lightweight lures can also be thrown to great distances.

Even if you throw these lures very far away, they maintain their sensitivity.

As long as fishers maintain direct contact with their rod blanks, they can feel very delicate bites on these lures.

That’s why experienced anglers bring out their soft plastic lures during the off-season months when the fish are more finicky.

Technically, these lures are light enough for finesse fishing. Here are the best soft plastic lures for your spinning rod set up –

• Soft Plastic Stick Baits: Soft plastic stick baits are very popular for their user-friendliness.
• Thomas Gary Yamamoto created the famous Senko– the first soft plastic stick bait in the world.
• Soft Plastic Swimbaits: These lures can be rigged in different ways to catch smaller fish like trout, walleye, & sauger. They’re useful in warm, cold, salt, and freshwaters.
• Soft Plastic Craws: These lures mimic the looks and actions of crawfish. They’re ideal for fishing bass that lives in lakes and ponds.
• Wacky Worms: These ultra-light lures are ideal for triggering bites from elusive fish in clear waters and tough conditions. These slender lures can be easily rigged on drop shots, Texas Rigs, or Carolina Rigs.
• Ribbon Tail Worms: Made of ultra-soft plastic, ribbon tail worms are available in many colors, designs, and sizes. For spinning rods, 7 to 10-inch ribbon tail worms work the best.

Honorable mentions include shaky heads, finesse worms, tubes, grubs, and soft jerk-baits.

Versatile Lures

The following lures perform well with both spinning rods and baitcasting rods.

They weigh around 1/4 to 1/2 oz so they’re not too heavy for ultra-light spinning rods. Skilled anglers can also use these lures with their baitcasting setups.

• Top-Water Lures: Fishing in spawning areas during the spring months? Use lightweight top-water lures to entice reaction strikes from the hungry fish.
• Jerkbaits: These minnow-shaped lures create shimmying actions that drive various types of fish species wild. They work perfectly well with both spinning and casting rods.
• Crankbaits: If you’re fishing in deep waters with a spinning rod, you’ll need these lures.

Before you pick lures for your spinning rods, check if there are any instructions regarding lure weights on your rods’ handles.

Most fishing rods have a series of numbers written on their blanks or handles.

Lure weights are mentioned as ranges, for instance – 1/6 to 3/8 oz.

Make sure the lures you purchase fall within these weight ranges.