How to Fish With Lures

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Co-authored by Kathy Sparrow, MA

Last Updated: July 28, 2022 Approved

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Choosing Lures

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Lure Techniques

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Pro Lure Fishing Tips

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

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Artificial bait or fishing lures have been used to catch fish since 2,000 B.C. Made from a wide variety of materials, colors, sizes, and styles, lures are used to attract fish and convince them to bite into the attached hook. If you want to fish with lures, you need to know the most common lure techniques and how you can use them to catch a fish.

Part 1

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Choosing Lures

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Get a variety of lures to experiment. The primary purpose of fishing with a lure is to imitate as best as possible the movements of a fish's natural prey. Consequently, there is an enormous variety in the materials, colors, and shapes of fishing lures, each suited for a particular scenario, or fish. There's no such thing as "the best" lure and colour combination to use, so it's good to get a variety and see what works best for you and the fish you're trying to catch.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Kathy Sparrow, MA
Fishing Instructor

Expert Interview. 1 April 2020.}
- The type and size of lure is generally determined by the fish species that you're targeting. Although there is no defined role for the various lures, the idea is to match a lure as well as possible with a fish's natural prey.^{[2]
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  Research source} For example, a bass usually feeds on tiny crayfish, making it less likely to bite a large fish-shaped lure. However, bass tend to be attracted to more active lures like chatterbait.
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Try spoons. A spoon is a lure which resembles the head of a spoon without the handle. This shape causes the lure to flutter in the water as it sinks, which then creates the illusion of an injured bait fish.^{[3]
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Research source} The red devil, a red and white spoon, is very popular. The red stripes look like blood to a hungry game fish.
- Because spoons resemble shads, they work best in waters where shad are plentiful.
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Try jigs. Jigs are probably the most common lure used in both fresh and saltwater fishing. They consist of a weighted head and a tail made of feathers or plastic, which is used to conceal a hook. Often a piece of live bait or oil-based scent will be attached to the hook to make the lure even more enticing, though this isn't strictly necessary.
- Oil-based scents are an effective option because they won't clump or ruin the feathers.
One of the most recognisable of fishing lures, a crankbait is usually made of plastic or wood and used primarily to fish for bass. This lure often features a bill on the front that looks a lot like a duck. Generally, the bill on the crankbait lure allows it to dive to a pre-defined depth, allowing anglers to work a particular column within the water.^{[4]
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Research source} Many crankbaits come with additional features such as trailing hooks and rattlers.
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Try spinning lures. A spinner is a type of jib with a blade that turns, pulling the lure through the water. Spinners and spoons are usually made of metal and either wobble or spin through the water in the same way as real fish and a spinner is a bit of a hybrid between crankbaits and spoons. Often, these lures feature a large single hook which is covered by some form of trailing material as well as a metal blade which spins in the water as the lure is being retrieved. These lures generally cause vibrations which can induce a fish to strike.
- Look for a V-shaped spinning lure. These make more vibrations, which may be more effective in attracting fish.
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Try a plug. Plugs are made of wood or plastic and work in a number of ways, skimming along the surface of the water, trailing in mid-water, or by trolling deep along the bottom. It's a versatile and very useful variety of lure to add to any angler's collection.
- If you're fishing at night, look for a lighted version of this lure.

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Lure Techniques

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Learn to walk the dog. One of the most useful and effective lure techniques is called "walking the dog," because it resembles the type of wrist motion you might have while taking Rover for a stroll. For this technique, you'll use a surface lure with a weighted rear end.
- Cast your lure and point the rod tip toward the water at a 45 degree angle. Move the rod tip downward to a 90 degree angle in a jerking motion. Reel up the slack in the line, then jerk the line again.
- Move the rod slowly at first, and then gradually increase the speed to copy the movement of a bait fish swimming away.
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Use a lure to mimic the behavior of the bait fish. Mimicry is one of the most advanced lure techniques for experienced fishermen to use. It's a subtle and sophisticated way of catching fish that requires the use of two pop lures or plugs for the best effect.
- Tie one lure behind the other on a monofilament leader and cast your lure out deep. Move the tip of the rod in a twitching motion, varying the speed in multi-directions, attempting to mimic the behavior of live fish. Use your wrist to keep the line relatively taut, jerking the lure around and varying your movements.
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Learn to dead stick. Use a surface or topwater lure to imitate the behaviors of an injured or otherwise vulnerable bit of prey. If fish are hesitant, using this technique can get even cautious fish to start biting.
- After you cast, leave the lure still in the water until the ripples go away, pausing and counting to 10 before you make a movement.
- Move the rod tip, causing the lure to move in place very gently, then remain still for another brief period. Repeat brief movement of the rod tip, moving the lure in place. The movements should look erratic and sinking, but easy to catch.
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Learn to dive. Use a crank bait or a diving plug lure to learn to drop your lure deeper into the water if you want to get into the deep territory where the bigger fish usually remain.
- Cast your lure and let it remain still while the line starts to sink. Do nothing for several seconds, then slowly start to work the lure beneath the surface by making short retrieval reels, then letting it sink back down.
- Floating lures, like crank bait or diving plugs, require constant reeling so that they'll stay under the water. Otherwise, they may just float on the surface of the water.
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Learn to rip the surface. Use a surface lure to skip your lure across the surface to mimic the behavior of a flying insect or some other kind of prey. This can be especially useful in catching sunfish or other shallow-water freshwater fish.
- After casting, keep your line still until the ripples in the water go away, then sweep your rod down to the surface of the water. Use the sweeping motion either slowly or quickly depending on the assertiveness of the fish.
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Try trolling. Nothing could be easier on a lazy fishing day than trolling behind your boat with a spoon, plug or spinner lure. It's also extremely effective, mimicking the behavior of a traveling bait fish, minding its own business and covering a great amount of ground.
- All you've got to do to troll a lure is cast behind a moving boat and wind the line in slowly as you move. Generally, you'll want to use the trolling motor and go extremely slowly.
- Another way to do is to let the lure sink down to the desired depth. Don't reel in the line as the boat drives forward. This will keep it at the right depth.

Part 3

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Pro Lure Fishing Tips

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1
Don’t overdo it. Fishing is a lot like chess, a game of quiet movements and subtlety, not herky-jerky nonsense. Most beginners jerk the line around too much. It's important to reel in very slowly, using calm and gentle movements on the line. If you're not catching anything, start with slow movements and then gradually quicken your movements.
- If you get a bite immediately stop reeling in and very slowly move the lure left and right until the bobber goes under the water. The second it does yank very hard and forcefully. You do this because when the fish bites it and you yank, the fish will get the hook caught in its lip and you can then reel it in.
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Match the color to the water. Using the "right" color of lure is generally determined by water clarity. Murky water and dusk or night fishing requires bright-colored lures more easily seen by fishermen and fish alike. White and red lures are common in these conditions, while clear water conditions would call for more muted or naturally occurring colors, like brown, blue, black, and green.
- The right color to use can also depend on where you're fishing. A bright, patterned lure might be best to attract saltwater fish, but that same lure could scare freshwater fish away.^{[5]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kathy Sparrow, MA
  Fishing Instructor
  
  Expert Interview. 1 April 2020.}
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Don't keep casting in the same area. When you're lure fishing, it's very important to move around and avoid playing out a particular area. Fish aren't as stupid as you think, and they'll start recognizing the lure eventually, making it less effective. If you get a lure spit back, it's time to move elsewhere.
- Work the whole body of water and the different depths until you find the fish. Also work the lure at different speeds and change up the action.
When you're fishing, as you reel your lure back in, take a few seconds to check the status of the lure and clean it up if necessary. In certain fishing conditions, lures can get gunky with weeds, twigs, and other debris, making them less effective at attracting fish and less effective at looking real. Make sure your lures are clean and ready to go before you recast.
It's important to keep the hooks of your lures as dry as possible when not in use to prevent rusting. Rusted hooks need to be replaced as soon as possible, as they become greatly weakened and break when you need them the most. You can buy replacement hooks at bait shops and most outdoor supply stores.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What are some tips for making your own lures?

Kathy Sparrow, MA
Fishing Instructor
Kathy Sparrow is a fly-fishing instructor and adventurer at heart. Kathy is the co-founder and previous manager of the Kingfisher Inn, a fly-fishing lodge on the Lower Laguna Madre in Texas. She is the author of "On the Mother Lagoon: Flyfishing and the Spiritual Journey" and "The Whispered Teachings of Grandmother Trout” a novel conveying the feminine perspective of fly fishing. Kathy is also a Certified Canfield Trainer in Canfield Methodologies. She guides individuals through the process of embracing change by expressing confidence, awareness, and courage through the tools of writing, fly fishing, and intentional conversation. She has a MA in English with an emphasis in Literature and Cultural Studies from the University of Texas-Pan American.

Kathy Sparrow, MA

Fishing Instructor

Expert Answer

Get creative. For salt water, especially, you can be really creative and think about what might attract a fish to come to the surface to grab a fly. Maybe you have a piece of straw and you come up with a creative way to incorporate that into your design. Most fly ties are really creative, so definitely unleash your creativity and really think about what's working in the area where you'll be fishing and then put your own little mark on it.

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There is a lake that is murky and brown. Is a brown-green or orange lure the right lure for this lake?

Kody Lee
Guide, Fishing Trips
Kody Lee is a Guide for Fishing Trips in Washington. He has worked as a guide since 2015 and has fished his entire life.

Kody Lee

Guide, Fishing Trips

Expert Answer

There is no "right lure" but something that gets down would probably be more effective due to the water clarity unless you see fish eating things on top of the water. The color you're using would be appropriate. Black and blue would be my best recommendation, as it is proven through studies to be the most easily visible color to fish.

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What if the lure has no weight on it, like the soft lure. Do you need to add weight. If so, how much should it weigh?

Kody Lee
Guide, Fishing Trips
Kody Lee is a Guide for Fishing Trips in Washington. He has worked as a guide since 2015 and has fished his entire life.

Kody Lee

Guide, Fishing Trips

Expert Answer

If the lure has no weight, add the amount it takes to get down to the desired depth or achieve the desired distance. More weight will take it deeper and make it easier to cast farther.

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Tips

If you're interested in making your own fishing lures, try to replicate the prey that the fish eat in the area you'll be fishing in.^{[6]
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Kathy Sparrow, MA
Fishing Instructor

Expert Interview. 1 April 2020.}

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You may have more success if you go fishing around sunrise or sunset. Weather can also play a part. For example, if fishing for salmon or steel-heads in rivers, try going when it is snowing or raining.

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To increase your catch, try wearing dark clothes or camo when you fish.

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