All Types of Fishing Lures (Catch Fish Like A Pro)

When it comes to choosing the right lure for your fishing line, you are presented with many different types of fishing lures.

You can quickly lose track of what you want in this infinite sea of options, therefore we have compiled a list of fishing lures that anglers love to use to target fish.

So without further ado let’s dive into the details of each type of fishing lure.

 Types of Fishing Lures You Should Know

1) Spinnerbaits

Spinnerbaits are the go-to choice among anglers who do bass fishing, and that is why they are also called bass spinnerbaits.

They look similar to the inline spinners but they are larger in size, so they are slower and can be thrown deeper to catch larger predatory fish.

They have a jig-like body in the lower half and one or more blades in the upper half.

The primary function of the upper blades is to create flutterings to lure fish.

The body gives a solid fish-like profile for the fish to strike.

This particular fishing lure is used for heavier and hard-hitting fish, so they are heavier in weight, which allows them to be thrown at a larger distance and look like fleeing bait fish.

Since they create disturbance in water with more intensity, it becomes easier to lure in large fish such as bass, pike, musky, and pickerel.

Spinner baits are highly versatile and come in a variety of sizes, colors, and other personalized options that allow fishermen, especially bass anglers to tailor them and use them in catching bass.

In order to choose the right spinner bait lure, you will need to consider the size of fish you want to catch, the water conditions of the fishing area, and the depth of the water.

The best way is to match the color of your spinner bait with the bait fish found in the area you are fishing so your lure will look natural and fish will not get spooked by it.

Newer iterations of spinner baits have heads that resemble a minnow, giving them a realistic profile in the water.

2) Jigs

If you head out to a nearby fishing spot and ask any fisher about their goto fishing lures, they will definitely mention jigs among them.

Among many types of fishing lures, jigs have developed a reputation to provide the best results in professional fishing scenarios.

Moreover, jigs offer great utility throughout the year and are capable of catching different game fish in both fresh and salt waters.

Like all fishing lures, they are designed keeping in mind the looks and presentation of prey species of the targeted fish.

Jigs are mostly used for catching bass and are quite popular among bass anglers because they have an appearance similar to crawfish.

Moreover, fly fishing is done with stripping jigs, a must-know technique for anyone who wants to catch trout regularly.

Jigging lures are also popular for bluegill, crappie, and perch.

The basic design of a jigging lure has a metal head that is connected to the hook. These lures are designed with a metal head that can be made of a variety of materials.

The most commonly used material for construction is tungsten, it has high density which allows it to be thrown further even with a small profile.

It is important to keep in mind that there can be many differences in jigging lures, especially saltwater jigs.

Saltwater jigs have a distinct look and presentation, they mimic a bait fish swimming or diving into the water.

You can also equip your jigs with a variety of trailers and skirts, this is a popular technique to increase the likelihood of attracting fish.

Anglers who head out for bass fishing use skirts with their jigs to give a presentation similar to crawfish, this also adds to the weight of the lure allowing it to dive deeper into the water to land fish that are sluggish in the cold winter months.

Saltwater jigs can be equipped with soft plastics to create an appearance of bait fish that can interest game fish.

3) Crankbaits

Shallow diving bills or lips are known as crankbaits.

Diving plugs have an unconventional lure design that has a curved bill that sticks out prominently.

The bill causes the lure to dive down when the angler pulls on it or trolls it. Crankbaits are ideal for throwing in shallow waters that are less than 6 feet.

However, these plugs can be modified to dive up to specific depths as well.

Most of the time, anglers use crankbaits to mimic the motion of small fish.

Moreover, they can also be used to present a fleeing crawfish.

Like other types of fishing lures, crankbaits also offer great versatility.

They are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.

Therefore, you can choose the one which resembles the bait fish in the water body you are going to fish.

The best time to effectively utilize these fishing lures is during the winter season when fish are restrained to the depths.

This is because during the winter season there are lesser chances of tangling your lure in vegetation.

Since diving plugs have treble hooks that can quickly get stuck.

When using a crankbait you can jerk it to create a motion of a wounded fish or retrieve it slowly to allow it to dive deeper.

4) Soft plastics

Soft plastics are the most popular type of fishing lure used by bass anglers because they offer usability all year round without compromising on productivity.

Soft plastic lures are available in a wide variety of shapes, these include commonly used worm designs to unique crawfish or salamander shapes.

Since soft plastics are cheap to manufacture, companies tend to go the extra mile to add new quirks and features to them.

Modern technology has made soft plastic lures look like live baits but the angling community has differing opinions when it comes to crediting the appearance of a lure for a strike.

You can use soft plastics with different rigging methods.

These methods include Carolina rigs, Texas rigs, wacky rigs, and many other forms of fishing that utilize the lure’s soft body to provide all the subtle movements that attract nearby fish.

Moreover, soft plastics are also being produced with specialized scents that are made to attract fish’s sense of smell.

5) Jerkbaits

Although they look like crankbaits, jerkbaits are uniquely designed fishing lures that have a more narrow design that imitates minnows or small fish.

You can find them in a variety of sizes and lengths but their overall function remains the same that is to be jerked.

They are not supposed to make a diving motion, instead, they are supposed to appear as wounded fish that are trying to escape or struggling to swim through the currents.

To make these stay down a few feet below the surface, jerk baits are designed with a small bill or lip.

These fishing lures are not designed for deep water fishing, but you can do so by placing them on a downrigger.

The lure should be marked as a sinking, suspending, or floating lure.

Jerkbaits are known to be useful all year round but they are more successful in warmer months.

This is because during this time fish are searching for easy meals such as lone fish.

Moreover, Jerkebaits can feature two or three treble hooks depending on their length.

A husky jerk is a great option when fishing bass, musky, northern pike, walleye, and pickerel.

6) Flies

If you are a trout fishing enthusiast or someone who fish species that prey on tiny fish this lure type is definitely for you.

Flies are a great lure choice for fly fishing.

Flies have gained mass popularity with the introduction of modern fly rods.

Now you can use a fly lure with a fly rod to catch trout and grayling in small rivers and streams with the same effectiveness as a natural fly.

Since fly fishing requires expertise, it is considered the most difficult type of fishing.

In order to be successful in your fly fishing pursuits, you must have a good casting accuracy and technique that will allow you to have full control of the situation.

It is possible that it might take you years to perfect your technique.

The next most important thing is the fly lure you are going to use for your fly fishing journey.

Flies come in a wide variety, but they are actually effective in catching just about any species of fish since most types of fish will take advantage of an unsuspecting fly making brief contact with the water surface.

You can use a fly to catch almost anything from bluegill to a larger saltwater species like tarpon in coastal areas.

Flies have a very small profile as compared to other types of fishing lures but they are as productive as other options mentioned in this list.

They offer presentations similar to natural flies and will surely attract a high number of fish.

If you are not acquainted with fishing, you might think that fly fishing only uses dry flies but this is not the case.

Most of the flies used are wet flies that sink into the water.

7) Surface Poppers

Among the many soft plastic lures available on the market, surface poppers are the most fun to use.

They might seem a little sluggish while throwing over water but once they lure in fish, everything changes in a matter of moments.

You cannot give up the opportunity to lure in a surprise heavy tackle to catch big bass on a calm sunset.

Available in a variety of sizes, designs, and colors they are made in such a way that they resemble a floating bait fish.

Moreover, they also give a presentation similar to crickets, frogs, and mice.

This soft plastic lure is popped over the surface of the water every once in a while by the angler, these pops not only create vibrations and flutterings but on a sunny day, they can enhance the visual effects of this lure.

Therefore making it easier to attract and catch larger predatory fish.

The production of soft plastics also helped in bringing surface poppers into mainstream use and large fishing manufacturers have introduced many new features to them.

All in all, the surface poppers will be a great addition to your tackle box because of their versatility and natural presentation that makes bass fishing a lot easier.

8) Inline Spinners

For someone who is just starting out, inline spinners are the best choice because they are extremely versatile and allow them to try their luck to catch bass, trout, bluegill, and many other fish species.

Moreover, this type of fishing lure is suitable for freshwater fishing and people transitioning towards artificial lures from natural bait.

What makes these lures stand apart is their ability to cover large distances in short times allowing you to find out where the fish are.

Inline spinners mimic the movements of a small bait fish, which gives them a natural look in the water and helps in attracting fish.

You can find this fishing lure in many design renditions but one feature that is common among all of these is that they have a single blade with an oval shape.

When you retrieve this lure, the spinner or blade creates a fluttering motion and attracts fish.

This artificial bait creates a dancing motion that sends vibrations through the water.

Paired with bright striking colors such as silver, gold, and other metallic finishes, this helps in catching fish.

The above-mentioned colors give inline spinners a subtle look that resembles bait fish and allows these lures to work in all kinds of conditions including muddy and stained waters.

9) Flutter Jigs

To catch smallmouth bass and walleye, anglers use blade bait flutter jigs.

They come with a number of variations and are suitable for vertical jigging techniques, where the fisherman has to drop the lure into the depths of the water and quickly retrieve it in a jerking motion and slowly sink it back again.

This back and forth motion gives it a presentation of a bait fish that is diving and feeding in that specific area.

As mentioned above, flutter jigs can have different design patterns to meet the requirements of the user.

However, many of them have a very simple, elliptical-shaped design that resembles the shape of a fish.

Therefore, in order to make your fishing escapade successful, make sure that your flutter jig has a resemblance to the prey fish species that are found in the water body you are fishing, at that particular time of the year.

These fishing lures are easy to use and provide great utility, especially in winter fishing as they can be used in deeper water.

This is because during winters fish are sluggish and do not come near the surface.

They can also be controlled through the multiple holes at the top, these holes allow you to tweak the amount of flutter you want during retrieval.

10) Scented Lures 

Scented lures are one of the many fishing baits that have gained mass popularity in recent times.

Many fishing equipment manufacturers have released soft plastic baits that are specifically designed to attract fish’s sense of smell.

These lures come in a variety of different sizes and scents that attract fish of specific species.

These soft plastic lures can smell ranging from things like garlic to scents that have a tickling, salty, fishy smell.

Therefore, allowing them to lure in almost any kind of fish species.

The largest manufacturers of these scented soft plastics are GULP or Powerbait, they specialize in producing scented lures.

The earliest iterations of scented lures came with a basic design that was sealed in a bag or a jar of oily scented liquid.

The problem with these baits was that they used to lose their smell after one or two fishing sessions.

Therefore, companies now use soft plastics to produce this particular kind of artificial fishing lure.

Soft plastics are better at absorbing the smell/oil and last longer than hard plastic fishing lures.

With a better scent trail, soft plastic baits have made it possible for anglers to give a presentation that is similar to a live bait.

These scented soft plastic baits are some of the most productive lures because they increase the chances of catching species like crappie, fluke, striped bass, and other heavy game fish.

They are a great option in places where using live bait is illegal or difficult. In some cases, these scented baits will even outfish live bait.

11) Chatterbaits

Chatterbaits are among the latest artificial fishing lures that were introduced to the fishing community by Ron Davis, Sr., a professional angler.

Based on the design of spinnerbaits, these lures have a distinct vibration, unlike any other lure.

Allowing them to catch the attention of mature fish.

However, it is important to keep in mind that the design of spinner baits and chatter baits is similar but they do not have the same fluttering and presentation.

The primary feature of a chatter bait is to produce a frequency vibration that sounds like chatter.

This chatter makes it one of the most successful lures in the water.

Today this chatter has made it the most popular fishing lure for bass fishing throughout the world.

Available in a variety of sizes and colors, most of these lures have a basic design that operates using a small square-shaped ‘blade’.

This blade is flimsily attached to the hook and clinks at a very high rate when the lure is retrieved by the angler.

This is what creates a chattering effect and makes it one of the best bass fishing lures.

If you are looking to buy a chatter bait we will recommend you to do proper research and go with an option that has the best reviews.

12) Buzzbaits

Another thrilling lure type that is available these days is buzz baits.

There has been a heated debate going on in the realms of the fishing world about what makes this particular fishing lure so successful against largemouth bass.

Is it due to the high disturbances created by this lure which eventually lures in nearby fish or does this lure have a presentation similar to a bait fish that is trying to escape a predatory fish?

But one thing that they all agree upon is that buzzbait is a very productive lure in specific conditions.

The best time to effectively utilize the capabilities of this fishing lure is summers when targeting fish are swimming near the water surface.

But it is also possible to use them in late spring and fall as demonstrated by many among the angling community.

What makes buzz baits stand out is their ability to attract larger fish which can be harder to lure with other types of lures.

Buzzbait works on the principle that the angler will retrieve it at a steady pace across the surface of the water.

This allows the blade on the lure to displace water with a buzzing effect.

Recently, companies have been researching to increase the sound of clicking along with the displacement effect of the blade on buzz baits.

13) Umbrella Rigs

Umbrella rigs employ an unconventional design that uses multiple fishing lures to catch fish.

This is one of the newest types of fishing lures and tries to mimic a school of fish that swims together in a formation.

It is a natural instinct of targeting fish to go after schools of prey fish species.

This type of rig gets its name due to the umbrella-like design, in which multiple baits or swim baits are attached to a frame that forms a canopy-like structure.

You can find these umbrella rigs in a variety of sizes, they come with five or more heads on a single lure.

The number of hooks attached to the umbrella is dependent on the area of fishing, most of the time 3 or 5 hooks are used.

Umbrella rigs have a high success ratio against single lures, therefore, when anglers are not able to get hold of any fish, they use these.

Since it provides a presentation of a small school fish, it easily attracts big fish.

Large umbrella rigs are also available and they are mostly used by saltwater anglers that want to catch striped bass and bluefish.

In short, this is one of the best fishing lures that is used to catch fish that target schools of tiny fish.

14) Offshore Trolling Skirts

Offshore fishing is no easy feat and therefore it is not for people who don’t have a firm resolve.

When going on an offshore fishing expedition you must be well-prepared because it takes hours or even days to fish large game-size fish.

Since these fish are only found in deep water away from the shoreline, the conditions are the polar opposite of what you find on the shore.

Ordinary fishing lures tend to become less effective in such conditions, this is where trolling skirts come in.

These are highly popular among anglers that target game-size species in offshore waters.

They feature a simple design that is made with a metal ‘head’ that is flanked by a colorful skirt.

Trolling skirts entice fish to swim towards them and take a closer look, therefore they are mostly used by trollers in open waters.

It is the skirt that provides the fast movements that mimic a squid or small fish swimming away that produces a strike for most species.

You can find trolling skirts in varying sizes and specialized skirts for newer models that target species such as mahi-mahi, wahoo, and sailfish.

These specialized skirts are highly effective in increasing the catch.

15) Flasher 

Salmon fishing requires a unique style and technique of angling to secure the catch. It must use highly visible and visually appealing flashers or bait.

These flashers or bait are supposed to catch the eye of the salmon in that area and lure them.

Since salmon swim in schools and roll when they feed, flashers are designed with a metal plate or plastic which not only resembles a salmon but also rolls in the water.

When the flasher rolls, other salmon are intrigued to come and investigate this supposedly feeding salmon and get caught.

When fishing salmon, you can use a leader that is three to four feet long and tie it to a herring, fly, or spoon.

This will act as a lure to catch the fish. Then you can set it up at a depth of 20 to 240 feet in the water using a downrigger.

However, it is important to keep in mind that it is not necessary to use a flasher when you go fishing for salmon.

Additionally, if you are trying to catch king salmon or silver salmon you should use a flasher with UV purple haze.

You can use a large flasher if you are trolling at a speed of 1.5 to 3.5 miles per hour.

16) Worm Harnesses

Worms are the most common choice when it comes to choosing fishing lures.

They are also the best universal live bait choice in freshwater.

But it is important to remember that worm harnesses are quite different and they are specifically used for catching walleye, you can also use them for perch and bass.

Worm harnesses do not function alone, instead, they have a number of components that complete the setup.

They are designed to troll through the water and attract fish with a small spoon and an assortment of beads that are added to a line.

Two hooks trail behind the beads on these lures, the beads keep these hooks masked and the overall appearance of a worm is created in this lure.

When using a worm harness, you can place them at depths between 15-80 feet and troll slowly to create a more natural presentation and attract fish with its motion.

However, you can use worm harnesses with other configurations as well.

Most anglers tweak with their ready-made harnesses or they make their own custom harnesses.

This allows them to make changes according to their requirements and find suitable solutions to catch fish more effectively.

17) Spoons

When it comes to the most under-rated types of fishing lures, fishing spoons are one of them. A spoon is basically a curved piece of metal with a hook at the rear.

The shape of the spoon and the design of the bend will determine the action that it has. For the most part, spoons imitate wounded baitfish.

They are visually appealing and have a lot of flashes, and vibrations to lure fish. Since they mimic a wounded fish, they seem like easy prey to the fish you are trying to catch.

Spoons can be used to cover the entire water column, from surface feeding fish to those right on the bottom.

Old classic freshwater spoons can be a great choice for people trying to catch bass, pickerel, northern pike, and musky.

You can cast your spoon with a spinning rod or troll them on conventional rods as well. Since spoons have high density they can be cast at further distances.

Spoons also work well for trolling for walleye and salmon with downriggers.

Some of the most common types of spoons are large, drone, bunker, and small. These can be used in the ocean as well as inland water bodies.

Around river inlets, large spoons can be cast to catch salmon. Drone spoons are commonly trolled deep on a planer for king mackerel, cero mackerel, wahoo, and barracuda.

In the north Atlantic, bunker spoons are trolled to catch large striped bass. Smaller spoons are both casted and trolled to catch bluefish.

Since spoons are made from metal, you can expect them to handle bites very well from large fish.

In order, to get the most out of your spoons you must retrieve them at speeds that give them the best actions.

Just keep in mind that heavy spoons are retrieved fast and lighter spoons are retrieved more slowly.

Choosing The Right Fishing Lure

 

When it comes to choosing the right type of fishing lure, you can find yourself presented with a wide variety of options.

Each of these options has its benefits and drawbacks.

The most popular ones are crankbaits, jigs, spinnerbaits, and soft plastics.

These fishing lures offer great versatility and useability all year round.

Moreover, these lures are known to be used by anglers for both freshwater and saltwater fishing to catch game fish.

If you are someone who is new to fishing and trying to pursue it as a fun hobby, we would recommend you choose a simple, mainstream fishing lure.

This is because these lures ( i.e soft plastics and spinners) help you to get the most out of the situation, they will also help you to develop your own style of fishing without being too demanding.

Once you develop interest and learn a few tricks, you can move on to buy lures that have specialized applications.

These lures will require more effort and knowledge to control but they will give you improved results when used for a certain type of fish.

Lures for Bass Fishing 

Fishing bass is no easy feat, it is quite demanding and that is what makes it thrilling.

When it comes to fishing bass there are certain lures that are more effective than others.

Jerkbaits or Stickbaits and Spinnerbaits are the best fishing lures when it comes to fishing bass.

Both of these lures offer a presentation style that mimics crawfish which is the prey for bass.

Other lures that are used for fishing bass include jigs, crankbaits, swimbaits, and worms.

Remember, that when you are fishing for bass you can also use other types of fishing lures as well and the above-mentioned lures are commonly used ones that offer effective results.

At the end of the day, every angler has their own fishing technique that can not be replicated by anyone else so it is possible that what might work for someone will not work for you.

What Lures To Use For Fly Fishing

Fly fishing requires flies as bait, these lures are as light as a feather and rely on the weight of the line to cast further.

These lures mimic the motions of a natural fly or insect to attract a fish, and this is where they get their name from.

These flies can be designed to look like any insect therefore there are thousands of renditions of these.

In order to pick the right lure for fly fishing, you should know certain things such as:

• The fish you want to catch
• Where you are going to catch that fish
• The time of the year
• Water conditions

In order to develop a better understanding we would recommend you to have a discussion with a local fly fisher, they will be happy to help and you will learn a lot about the type of fly you should use.

In short, there are two types of flies – dry and wet.

Dry flies mimic a flying insect that lands and floats on the surface of the water while the wet flies mimic drowned insects or bait fish.

Conclusion

The above-mentioned types of lures are just some of the many different fishing lures available out there.

Therefore, when choosing any one of them for your tackle box collection we will recommend you to do more research in order to learn about that particular lure.

Otherwise, you can go with a more commonly used option such as crankbaits, jigs, spinnerbaits, and soft plastics, they will surely not disappoint you.

Moreover, if you are a bass fishing enthusiast or someone trying their luck out in fly fishing, you can use the information above to make an informed decision.