LURE FISHING is one of the most exciting ways of catching predatory fish. Pike, perch, bass, trout. . . there is an endless list of fish that will gobble these plastic, metal, or wood creations, mistaking them for real fish.

There are three types of lures. Spinners and spoons are usually made of metal and either wobble or spin through the water in the same way as real fish. Plugs are made of wood or plastic and work in a number of ways: along the surface of the water, in mid-water, or deep along the bottom.

 

When you are lure fishing, it pays to search the water and not stay too long in any one position.
 Big predators like slack water just off the main current, and some often lie right by the bank.

 

Pay attention to detail 

Predatory fish are eagle-eyed, and a good plug should resemble a natural fish very closely.
Look for realistic eyes, scale patterns, and a shiny finish.

Working a lure

Never work your spoon, spinner, or plug in a mechanical, unthinking sort of way. Instead, try to make a big predator think that this strange wood, metal, or plastic creation is in fact a living, breathing, swimming prey fish!
Look out for all possible hiding places under fallen trees, among weeds, or along the bank.
Cast carefully and accurately, and constantly move the rod tip around to create a change of direction.

Spinners

On a spinner, a metal blade rotates as the lure is pulled through the water. The rotation sends out vibrations and the blade catches the light, so the lure looks like a small fish. Sometimes tassels of plastic or wool are added to entice the fish further.

Plugs

A plug is designed to look and move in the same way as a small fish, which often swims in distress. Plugs can be used for any d of water. Work them slowly in areas that might contain big pre

  

Spoons

A spoon is a lure made of shaped sheet metal. When it is cast and retrieved from the bank, spoons wobble through the water and attract avid fish with their shiny finish and bright colors.

Their action depends on your style of retrieve, so wind in irregularly to make them look like fish in distress.

 

The best lures. 

 Most fish will bite a lure that looks like a minnow,
crayfish (crawdad),
or other living prey.
 Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and plastic worms work best for bass.  Trout, pike and saltwater fish will hit shiny metal lures.

Use a tackle box or a utility box to hold your lures.
Remember the hooks are sharp.

 

Fishing heavy cover, where the bigger fish normally live, use a plastic worm or a "jig and pig" (leadhead jig with a pork frog trailer).
Cast into the thickest area of the cover, let the lure drop, then shake the rod tip gently to coax a bite.

 

Topwater lures are the most exciting to fish.
These lures float on the surface.  When fishing with a topwater, cast near the cover, let it set for several seconds, then twitch the rod tip so the lure works on the surface.
When done correctly you will experience a 
KA-SPLOOSH
the surface explodes as the fish bites your lure.

 

When fishing is tough or slow, try using a smaller lure.  A 4-inch worm is a good choice.  Rig the worm on a 1/0 hook with a BB-size split-shot weight attached to the line about 18 inches above the hook.  Cast the lure out and wait for it to settle on the bottom.  Work or reel it very slow.  The weight will bounce on the bottom, causing the worm to dart in different directions.

          

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