How to Choose Lures for Lure Fishing: Essential Tips for Beginners

Man, winter up north is brutal for lure anglers—most of us end up hanging up our rods and switching to traditional fishing. But even when I’m stuck indoors, I can’t stop scrolling through fishing forums to check out tips from the pros. Those guys are total legends, right? Their breakdowns have taught me so much about lure fishing, and I’m stoked to share what I’ve learned today—specifically, how to pick the right lures for different situations. Let’s dive in!

If you’re new to lure fishing, you’ve probably stared at a tackle box full of weird-looking lures and thought, “What the heck do I even pick here?!” Trust me, I’ve been there. But after reading tons of advice and messing up a million times, I’ve realized it’s not as complicated as it seems. Today, I’m breaking down the key factors that’ll help you choose the perfect lure every time.

1. Size Matters: Pick Lures Based on Fish Size and Activity

First off, let’s talk about lure size. It’s kind of like traditional fishing—big fish usually go for big lures, small fish for small ones. But here’s the trick: try to use the largest lure the fish will actually bite. If the fish are chomping down hard, go big! But if the bite’s slow or the fish are spooked (like when there are too many anglers around), downsize. Oh, and if the fish are protecting their babies? Even a big lure might work—they’ll attack anything that looks like a threat!

2. Speed It Up or Slow It Down: Match Lure Speed to Fish Activity

Ever heard of “variable speed” in lure fishing? Yeah, that’s a big one. Different lures move through the water at different speeds. Fast-moving lures cover more ground quickly, which is great for active fish. Slow-moving lures are better when the fish are lazy—like on a cold winter day. Here’s the rule of thumb:

• High activity? Use fast lures (they’ll trigger more strikes).
• Low activity? Go for slow lures (soft plastics work wonders here).

I remember one winter day when the fish were barely moving. I tried a fast metal lure first—nothing. Switched to a slow, wiggly soft plastic, and bam! I caught three bass in an hour. Lesson learned: speed isn’t everything!

3. Dance Like Nobody’s Watching: Lure Movement Patterns

Every lure has a unique “dance” in the water, depending on how you work it. Some wiggle side to side, some dart up and down, and some just hang there (suspending). Here’s what to know:

• Active fish? Use lures that move a lot—side-to-side or up-and-down action will get their attention.
• Lazy fish? Try suspending lures or soft plastics that you can “twitch” slowly. Bass in winter love these—they’re too tired to chase fast stuff!

Pro tip: If you’re not sure, experiment! Sometimes a weird, jerky movement is exactly what the fish want.

4. Swim Style: Pick Lures with the Right Action

Different lures have different swimming styles—like poppers that splash on top, cranks that dive deep, or soft plastics that crawl along the bottom. The key is to match the “mood” of the fish:

• Active fish? Go for “flashy” lures—like a spinnerbait that spins and shines. Fish can’t resist chasing that!
• Lazy fish? Use lures with a more subtle action. A slow-moving worm or grub might not look exciting to you, but trust me—fish will eat it up.

I once used a super “loud” popper (think splashing and popping sounds) on a calm day. The fish were so spooked, they didn’t even come near. Switched to a quiet, wiggly grub, and I caught a huge pike. Oops—note to self: read the room (or the water)!

5. Go Deep or Stay Shallow: Target the Right Water Layer

This is where lure fishing and traditional fishing overlap. Just like you adjust your bait depth in traditional fishing, you need to pick lures that swim at the right depth for the fish. Here’s how:

• Shallow water fish? Use topwater lures (poppers, frogs) or shallow-diving cranks.
• Deep water fish? Go for deep-diving cranks, jigs, or soft plastics that sink slowly.

Last spring, I was fishing for bass in a lake. I knew they were in shallow water (since it was mating season), so I used a shallow-diving crankbait. Within 10 minutes, I had two bass! If I’d used a deep-diving lure, I would’ve wasted hours.

So there you have it—my go-to tips for choosing lures. Remember, fishing is all about trial and error. Don’t be afraid to experiment, and always adjust based on what the fish are doing. And hey, if you mess up? It’s just part of the fun. Happy fishing, everyone!