Fishing lures are a vital component of any took of an angler. They are available in multiple shapes, colors, and sizes.

They have been designed to bait a specific fish species. Having the right fishing lure can determine whether you will succeed or fail.

Fishing lures have different characteristics and benefits. It means you must find the right fishing lure, as some may not work well in some settings.

It would help if you considered factors such as water conditions, target species, time of the year, and your fishing techniques. We will discuss the different fishing lures and how and where they can be used.

Hard Baits Fishing Lures

Hard baits are popular fishing lures with a solid, rigid body often constructed of wood, plastic, or metal. They work well for catching fish because they are made to resemble the movements and appearance of live prey in the water.

Hard baits work effectively when fishing in clear water conditions, cold water temperatures, and in places where there are active fish. In addition, they also work when fishing around a cover or structure like rocks or weed beds where fish is hiding. Here are some of the common hard baits:

Crankbaits

Crankbaits are versatile hard bait that may be utilized in various water conditions and temperatures. In most cases, they have a large, rounded body with a diving lip up front and a string of treble hooks at the bottom.

To entice larger predatory fish to strike, crankbaits are made to replicate the movement of small fish or baitfish in the water.

Jigs

Jigs are a kind of hard bait that have a weighted head and a hook on them. They are generally used with live bait or soft plastic to make the water look realistic.

Jigs can be fished at different depths depending on their weight and are most effective in deeper water situations.

Jerkbaits

Jerkbaits are a long, slender type of hard bait intended to imitate the movement of wounded prey in the water. A diving lip at the front and several treble hooks at the bottom are characteristic features.

Jerkbaits can be fished with a jerking action to make the lure dart unpredictably in the water. They are especially successful in lower water conditions.

Spoons

The hard bait, known as spoons, has a curved, reflecting surface that imitates the motion of a swimming fish. They are frequently employed in open water and can be fished at different depths depending on the spoon’s weight.

Topwater Baits

Topwater baits are a particular kind of hard bait that often float on the water’s surface and make a commotion when retrieved. They are made to imitate the movements of frogs, insects, and other aquatic surface prey, which can entice fish to strike.

Topwater baits can range in size and shape from tiny poppers to larger strolling baits.

Soft Baits Fishing Lures

Soft baits are fishing lures with flexible, soft bodies often constructed of rubber or silicone. They function well for catching fish because they are made to resemble the feel and movement of real prey in the water.

Soft baits work effectively in murky water conditions, warm water temperatures, bottom fishing, and light tackle fishing. They are also suitable for slow and steady retrieves. Here are the common soft baits:

Worms

Worms are flexible soft bait employed in different kinds of water and temperatures. They appear in various colors and sizes and often have a long, slender body.

Worms can be fished using various rigging methods like Texas or Carolina to create a lifelike appearance in the water.

Grubs

Grubs are a form of soft bait that normally has a smaller body than worms and comes in various forms and colors. They work best when cast with a spinnerbait or jig head that makes the water move in a swimming motion.

Swimbaits

Swimbaits are soft baits designed to resemble the movement and appearance of small fish or baitfish in the water. They often have a slim body and a tail that, when retrieved, causes them to swim.

Swimbaits can be used with various rigging techniques, such as a weighted swimbait hook or a jig head, and are most productive in clear water conditions.

Creature Baits

Creature baits are soft baits that are made to resemble various aquatic species, such as crawfish or lizards. They often have a large body and several appendages that give them a lifelike appearance in the water.

Using a Texas or Carolina rig when fishing with creature baits is best.

Tubes

Tubes are a form of soft bait with a cylindrical body and a hollow center. They work best when hooked with a jig head or drop shot to give them a natural appearance in the water.

Spinners and Spinnerbaits Fishing Lures

Spinners and spinnerbaits are fishing lures that spin and produce vibration in the water, luring fish to bite. Spinners and Spinnerbaits work effectively in clear or stained water conditions, where fish are actively feeding and when fishing around a cover or structure.

You can adjust the depth and retrieval speeds depending on the design of the spinner or spinnerbait.

In-line spinners

In-line spinners have a spinning blade attached directly to the fishing line. In contrast, spinnerbaits have a metal wire frame with one or more spinning blades and a skirted jig head.

Spinnerbaits

In-line spinners can be used for a wide range of fish species, but spinnerbaits are mainly employed to target predatory fish, such as bass and pike. To match the prey and aquatic conditions of the local fish, spinners and spinnerbaits come in various colors and sizes.

Flies Fishing Lures

Flies are artificial lures that are made to resemble different insects and other aquatic life that fish feed on. They are frequently employed in fly fishing, a specialized method of fishing that entails using a specific fly rod and reel to cast a light fly line.

Flies work effectively in fly fishing, clear water conditions, and targeting selective fish.

Dry Flies

Dry flies imitate adult insects like mayflies or caddisflies by floating on the water’s surface.

Wet Flies

Wet flies are intended to float above the water’s surface while imitating various aquatic insects and larvae.

Streamers 

Streamers are used to catch predatory fish like trout and bass. They are made to resemble little fish or baitfish.