Bob Williams
In the world of fishing, we all know how precious a fishing lure is as an alternative to live bait. Whether in freshwater or saltwater, lures are equally effective in catching a wide range of fish species. It is no wonder they are every fishing enthusiast’s best friend.
For those who are new to this hobby, a fishing lure is a type of artificial fishing bait which is used to attract various forms of fish in the ocean or river. Freshwater types of fishing lures are designed differently because what works for one doesn’t necessarily work for the other. When used correctly, you can catch as many fish without limit. Now, let’s dive into these five most common freshwater types of fishing lures and examine how to use them.
1. Jigs
Jigs are considered one of the most popular types of fishing lures and classified as the best type of lure for bottom feeders at the same time. These are made of a hook on one end and a weighted head on the other. Jigs are known to sink easily, thanks to their weight. They come in either a plastic grub or a feather skirt.
Fishing with a jigging lure lets you take advantage of its weight. Once you cast it out, it instantly sinks to the bottom. The moment you notice the line go slack, this signals that the jig has already sunk. As soon as this occurs, you can start the jigging process by lifting your rod slightly upward and then retrieve the line as you drop it again. By experimenting with movement and speed, you will obtain what works best. Take note – you have to keep your eyes on the line so you can strike a bulls-eye even with the faintest pull.
2. Plugs
Also known as crankbaits, plugs are made out of a hollow piece of plastic with a thin metal sheet called “lip” attached to the mouth. The shape and color of the plug resembles a live bait fish so that it camouflages a prey when seen from a distance. Generally, plug lures are noticeably suspended in water or are floating on the surface and suddenly dive in a split second when retrieved.
Fishing with a plug lure allows you to maneuver a sequence of reel-and-stop techniques that imitate the behavior of a live bait. You can actually switch reeling speed and intervals to attract more fish effectively.
3. Spoons
As the term implies, spoon lures are basically similar to a table spoon because of its concave metal structure, only without a handle. The concave shape gives the advantage of this lure as it appears like an injured bait fish that shines and wobbles through the waters. It resembles a magnet which is something game fish certainly can’t say no to.
When fishing with a spoon lure, you can either cast it or troll it. If you choose to cast, measure the angler from 10-20 feet below the target zone and then right away retrieve the lure. It is important to put your eyes on the moving spoon so you can easily calculate your retrieval speed. You also have to determine the movement of the spoon because it goes too slow or too fast, it won’t wobble freely. This too applies when trolling with spoons. You have to utilize downriggers before setting a particular depth.
4. Spinnerbait
Spinnerbait lures are a little different because they move horizontally through the water. They come in many shapes and colors depending on the targeted depth and species.
Among several types of lures, spinnerbait is kind of different from them all because its movement goes horizontally through the water. They too come in various colors and shapes because each lure is intended to certain fish species and targeted depth.
At first glance, a spinnerbait resembles a small pom-pom or a hairy keychain with a small metal propeller. However, the exact characteristic of a spinnerbait is made of a skirted hook on one end and metal blades in the other end. The metal blades functions as a propeller so it can spin through the water and appear like minnows. Its vibrating motion and color reflection are what make the spinnerbait seem like a live a bait.
Spinnerbaits are best for catching species like Pike, Perch and Bass. When you are fishing in muddy water, make sure that you don’t throw the lure heavily into the water. Instead, slowly point and pitch the rod just beneath the surface of the water. The spinning blades will do its job of attracting fish close to the surface where they can be visible. Rule of thumb – keep the rod high and make sure blades are just beneath the surface.
One important thing to note – the spinnerbait won’t work for deep water fishing, especially when visibility is poor. What you can do is insert a sinker and rely on the bait’s vibrations.
5. Flies
For those who are fans of fly fishing, flies are one of the best freshwater types of fishing lures. With innovation in the creation of lures, flies can also be used in spin fishing. This is what characterizes the flies as dual purpose. Basically, flies are made of a single hook and a skirt where feathers, furs or thread can be attached into it. This lure can be strange on the fish viewpoint because they are like shellfish, insects or other forms of prey which seem to be very attractive. One important aspect of fly fishing is that fly tying is not quite an easy task. It is perceived as a form of art which makes fly fishing so immersive and addictive.
Fishing with fly lures is considered versatile because some lures are designed to sink and float in the water. These are termed as subsurface flies and surface flies. A variety of flies are available depending on what fish you desire to catch. First, there are wet flies which are made to imitate sunken insects or minnows. Then, the dry flies or waterproof lures which appears like insects floating on the surface. And, the emerging flies which are like hatching insects, nymphs which imitate crustaceans and streamer flies which are similar to a basic bait fish.
There you have it. Just choose from these 5 freshwater types of fishing lures and that satisfies your fishing itch. We’re sure you’ll understand there’s more to life as you explore the great waters.
