Key Takeaways
Choosing a lure is easier when you start with the fish, the water, and the way you plan to fish. Small adjustments to size, colour, depth, and retrieve can matter more than carrying a huge tackle box.
- Learn how each lure style moves and where it tends to work best.
- Match lure colour and size to the water and available forage.
- Choose a presentation that suits your target species and the cover.
- Pair lure weight with suitable rod, line, and terminal tackle.
- Vary your retrieval and adjust when fish follow, miss, or ignore the lure.
Understand the main types of fishing lures.
Fishing lures differ in shape, material, and the way they move through the water. Some are designed to cover water quickly, while others excel when fished slowly or close to cover. Knowing the basic families helps you choose a useful starting point rather than swapping lures at random.
Hard baits for covering water and imitating baitfish
Hard baits include crankbaits, jerkbaits, and other moulded or carved plugs. Many wobble or dart on a steady retrieve, making them handy for searching open water and imitating small fish. A floating model can work over shallow structure, while a sinking model can reach deeper fish; check the lure’s design and test its action besides the bank before casting far.
Soft plastics for lifelike movement and versatile rigging
Soft plastics range from slim baitfish shapes to grubs and creature-like profiles, and their flexibility gives them a natural movement with modest rod input. They can be rigged on a jig head, a weighted hook, or a weightless hook, depending on depth and cover. Anglers looking for different profiles and sizes can explore Keitech lures, with options suited to varied fishing styles and conditions. A soft-plastic jerkbait such as the Pro Lure Prey Minnow is designed to mimic fleeing baitfish and can be worked with twitches.
Jigs for fishing near the bottom or through cover
A jig combines a weighted head with a hook, often dressed with a soft-plastic trailer or skirt. Its weight makes it useful for reaching the bottom, probing a drop-off, or working through some types of cover. Let it sink under control, then lift or hop it with short rod movements; a jig that is too heavy can plough into snags, while one that is too light may not reach the zone you intend to fish.
Spinnerbaits and spoons for flash and vibration
Spinnerbaits create movement and flash with one or more blades, and their design can help them move past scattered cover. Spoons use a curved metal body that wobbles or flashes as it is retrieved, dropped, or jigged. Both can attract attention across a range of conditions, but they are not interchangeable: use the lure’s weight and action to decide how quickly it sinks and how fast you can retrieve it.
Topwater lures for strikes on the surface
Topwater lures stay at or near the surface, where splashes, pops, or a side-to-side walk can draw a fish’s attention. They are most useful when fish are actively feeding high in the water or when you want to target a visible edge such as a weed line. A surface strike can come after a pause, so resist the urge to set the hook at the first splash; wait until you feel the fish.
Match your lure to the fishing conditions.
A lure that works well in one place may be hard to see or control somewhere else. Water clarity, light, depth, and cover all affect which shape and presentation make sense. Use the conditions as a guide, then adjust based on what the lure does and how fish respond.
Choose colours for water clarity and light levels.
In clear water and bright conditions, natural or subdued colours can look less out of place; stained water or low light may call for a stronger silhouette or more visible finish. Neither rule is absolute, since forage and fish behaviour vary from one waterway to another. This quick comparison gives you a practical starting point, not a fixed formula.
| Conditions | Starting with a colour approach | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Clear water, bright light | Natural or muted tones | Fish may inspect the lure closely. |
| Stained water | Higher contrast or brighter tones | Visibility may be limited. |
| Low light | A clear silhouette | Fish may track movement more than detail. |
| Changing conditions | Try a nearby colour variation. | Keep the lure action consistent while testing. |
Once you have a starting colour, change one thing at a time. If the fish are following but not committing, keep the same retrieve and try a more subtle or more visible finish before switching to an entirely different lure style.
Adjust lure size to the available forage.
Lure size should make sense besides the prey fish they are feeding on, but matching size exactly is not always necessary. A smaller profile can suit cautious fish or a light presentation, while a larger one can be easier to locate in open water. Pay attention to bites and follows as well as what you see at the surface; a few casts with a different size can help reveal whether fish are responding to the profile.
Consider depth, current, and water temperature.
First work out where fish are likely to hold, then choose a lure that can reach and stay in that zone. A heavier lure or a sinking design can help in deeper water or current, while a shallow-running or floating option may be easier to control over a flat. Cold water often rewards a slower presentation, though the fish’s response is the best evidence; experiment with retrieve speed rather than relying on the thermometer alone.
Adapt to weeds, rocks, wood, and other cover.
Cover can hide fish and make lure choice more demanding. Weedless hooks and streamlined profiles can reduce snags in vegetation, while a lure that deflects off rock or wood can sometimes pass through a target area more cleanly. Consider the path the lure will take, not just the place you want to cast; a slightly different angle can keep it in the strike zone and away from trouble.
Select lures for your target species.
Species offer useful clues, but local conditions still matter. Think about where the fish feed, the size of their usual prey, and whether they are likely to be near the surface, suspended, or close to the bottom. Treat familiar patterns as a first choice, then let the water tell you when to change.
Bass lures for shallow cover and open water
Bass may be found besides shallow cover or out in more open water, so carry options that reach both places. A topwater lure or a compact bait can cover shallow edges, while a hard bait or a soft plastic can search open areas at different depths. Around weeds and timber, make accurate casts and keep the lure moving naturally through likely holding spots instead of repeatedly dragging it into the same snag.
Trout lures for streams, lakes, and stocked waters
In streams, current and casting position shape the presentation: cast across or upstream and keep the lure moving at a pace that looks plausible in the flow. In lakes, small spoons, spinners, and soft plastics can cover water at varied depths. For stocked trout, start with a modest profile and a controlled retrieve, then change the speed or depth if fish are visible but uninterested.
Walleye lures for bottom contact and low-light periods
Walleye fishing often calls for a lure that can reach the bottom or work just above it, especially around structure and drop-offs. Jigs and weighted soft plastics are common choices because you can track their descent and adjust the lift. Low-light periods are worth trying, but keep the lure at a consistent depth and pay attention to subtle changes in line tension.
Saltwater lures for inshore and offshore fishing
Inshore anglers may work soft plastics, hard baits, or metal lures around estuary edges, channels, and structure. Offshore conditions can demand a heavier lure to reach fish through deeper water or current. Match the lure’s size and weight to the bait and conditions, and rinse saltwater gear with fresh water after fishing to help keep hooks and hardware in good condition.
Pair lures with suitable tackle.
The best lure is difficult to use well if the rod and line do not suit its weight or action. A balanced setup helps you cast accurately, feel what the lure is doing, and control a fish once it is hooked. Start with the lure’s weight and the places you plan to fish, then choose tackle that fits those demands.
Match rod power and action to lure weight.
Rod power describes how much force it takes to bend the rod, while action describes where the rod bends most. A light lure is easier to cast with a lighter, more flexible setup; heavier lures generally need a rod with enough power to load and control them. Check the rod’s recommended lure-weight range, and choose an action that lets you cast and work the lure without forcing the motion.
Choose a line for casting distance, sensitivity, and abrasion resistance.
Line choice involves trade-offs. A thinner line can help with casting distance, while a more abrasion-resistant option may be useful around rocks, pilings, or thick vegetation. For a simple setup, consider these priorities before filling the spool:
- Use a line suited to the rod and reel rather than exceeding their rated range.
- Choose a thinner diameter when long casts are important and cover is limited.
- Favour abrasion resistance where the line may rub against rocks or structure.
- Check for rough spots and retie after contact with sharp cover.
The right balance depends on where you fish and how much control you need. Check knots and the first several feet of line regularly; a small damaged section can turn a solid hookup into a lost fish.
Use snaps, leaders, and knots that suit the lure.
A snap can make lure changes quicker, but a bulky one may interfere with a small lure’s movement. Leaders can add abrasion protection or separate the main line from a lure when conditions call for it. Use a knot you can tie consistently, wet it before tightening, and pull-test the connection before casting; dependable connections matter more than complicated ones.
Check hooks and replace or sharpen them when needed.
Hooks can lose their point after contact with rocks, docks, or repeated catches. Inspect them before fishing and after a snag, then sharpen a dull point or replace a damaged hook. A clean, sharp point helps the hook catch when a fish takes the lure, while badly bent or rusty hooks are better removed than trusted.
Present fishing lures effectively.
Lure choice is only part of the presentation. Retrieve speed, pauses, and depth all change how the same lure behaves, and fish may react to one small variation on a given day. Start with a simple retrieve, observe the action, and make deliberate changes so you can tell what is working.
Vary retrieve speed and cadence.
A steady retrieve is a useful baseline for many lures because it shows you their natural action and helps cover water. If fish are not responding, slow down or speed up in small increments rather than changing everything at once. With a blade or spoon, a consistent pace can keep the action stable; with other lures, a speed change may create a more convincing escape or pause.
Add pauses, twitches, and directional changes.
A pause gives a fish time to commit and can make a sinking lure fall through the target zone. Short twitches can make a baitfish-shaped lure dart, while a change in direction may draw attention from fish following behind. Keep the movements modest at first, especially when fish seem wary, and watch the line during each pause for a faint pickup.
Work the lure at the right depth.
A lure that passes above or below fish may go unnoticed even when its colour and shape are right. Count a sinking lure down before retrieving, vary that count between casts, or use the lure’s running depth as a guide. Once you find a productive level, repeat it before changing lures; consistent depth control can be more useful than constant gear changes.
Stay in contact with bottom-oriented lures
When fishing a jig or another bottom lure, watch the line as it falls and note when it touches down. Lift the lure with a controlled movement, then let it settle again without giving it so much slack that you lose track of the bottom. A brief tap, unusual heaviness, or line movement can signal a bite, so respond with a measured hook set rather than a wild sweep.
Troubleshoot common lure-fishing problems.
A quiet spell does not always mean the lure is wrong. Casting, lure condition, and retrieve can all affect the result, and it helps to isolate one likely problem at a time. Make a small adjustment, fish it long enough to learn something, then decide whether to keep it or try another approach.
Fix poor casting distance or accuracy.
Start by checking that the lure weight fits the rod and that the spool is not overfilled or tangled. A smooth casting motion usually gives better control than trying to muscle the lure. For accuracy, pick a target and stop the rod tip where you want the lure to land; if the cast still falls short, inspect the guides and line for friction or damage.
Change tactics when fish follow but do not strike
A following fish has shown interest, so change the presentation before abandoning the area. Slow the retrieve, add a brief pause, or switch to a smaller profile or a nearby colour. If the fish repeatedly trails the lure without closing in, try a different angle or cast past it and bring the lure through the zone again.
Reduce snags without sacrificing lure action.
Repeated snags may mean the lure is too heavy, the retrieve is too low, or the casting angle is pulling it into cover. Try a lighter weight, a weedless rig, or a path that skims the edge rather than cutting through the thickest part. If you do hang up, stop pulling hard; ease the line from a different angle to see whether the lure will come free.
Keep lures clean, organised, and ready to use.
Rinse lures used in salt water and dry them before putting them away. Separate hooks and lures that may tangle, and remove damaged or rusty tackle from the box so it does not get used by accident. If you want to refresh your selection, you can browse lure options before your next trip; a tidy box makes it easier to find the right shape when conditions change.
Conclusion
Choosing fishing lures gets simpler when you connect lure action to depth, cover, and the fish you hope to catch, then refine the retrieve based on what happens. Keep a few useful styles ready, make one adjustment at a time, and let each cast teach you something; when you’re ready to add to your tackle box, explore the lure selection at Tackle Addiction, an Australian-owned and operated specialist retailer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a fishing lure for the first time?
Start with the species you are targeting and the water you will fish in, then pick a lure that can reach the likely depth and move naturally there. A versatile soft plastic or hard bait can be a practical first choice.
What colour lure works best in clear water?
Natural or muted colours are a reasonable starting point in clear water, especially in bright conditions. If fish show interest but do not strike, try a subtle colour change and keep the retrieve consistent.
Should I use a small or large lure?
Consider the size of the available forage and how actively fish are feeding. Smaller lures can suit cautious fish, while larger profiles may be easier for fish to locate in open water.
How can I fish a lure deeper?
Use a heavier or sinking lure, allow it to descend before retrieving, and count the fall so you can repeat the depth. Current and line angle affect how quickly the lure reaches the bottom.
Why do fish follow my lure without biting?
A fish may follow because it is curious but not ready to commit. Try slowing down, pausing, changing direction, or using a slightly different size or colour.
How often should I check lure hooks?
Inspect hooks before fishing and after they hit rocks, structure, or a snag. Sharpen dull points and replace hooks that are bent, damaged, or corroded.
How do I avoid losing lures to snags?
Choose a rig suited to the cover, keep the lure at a controlled depth, and adjust your casting angle. If the lure hangs up, ease the line and try a different angle instead of pulling hard.