Types of Fishing Lures
Every angler has had slow days on the water where the fish are not biting. These days, anglers turn to their tackle box to adjust their presentation and strategy, but with so many different types of fishing lures, choosing which ones to include in your tackle box can be a challenge. Our Fishing Experts break down the common types of fishing lures explaining what makes them unique, their general applications, and the species they target so you can be prepared for whatever a day on the water brings.
Please note that these are general overviews for each type of lure. If you have specific questions about your region, stop by your local SCHEELS to speak with a Fishing Expert.
Expert Tip: Add Variety to Your Tacklebox
"I enjoy bass fishing in the Upper Midwest, so when prepping my tackle box, I always like to have several different crankbaits offering different diving depths. I make sure to have a few jigs too, which I typically pair with live bait or a soft plastic. The last type of lure I make sure to have is a topwater, more specifically frogs for working heavy cover."
Crankbaits
Crankbaits are one of the most versatile and popular types of lures. Featuring a rounded body and extended lip made from hard plastic, crankbaits wobble in such a way as to imitate the movement of baitfish. This, combined with the vibrations and flashes they produce, makes them irresistible to predatory fish. The wide variety of sizes, shapes, and diving depths available ensures there's a crankbait for nearly every fishing scenario.
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Ideal For: Casting, trolling
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Target Species: Bass, walleye, pike
Jerkbaits
A hard-plastic lure, jerkbaits look similar to crankbaits but they feature a more elongated, narrow body, often resembling minnows. Unlike the steady wobble of crankbaits, jerkbaits are designed to be fished with a more erratic retrieve, making these lures dart from side to side and then and pause, mimicking an injured baitfish and enticing fish to strike.
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Ideal For: Casting
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Target Species: Bass, walleye, pike, muskie
Related Expert Content | Crankbaits vs. Jerkbaits: What's the Difference? >
Jigs
One of the simplest yet incredibly effective lures is the jig. This lure features a single hook paired with a round head. Anglers then attach their preferred bait to the hook to mimic a baitfish. With a wide variety of different types of jigs, there's certain to be an option to match your fishing situation, whether it be heavy cover, cold waters, or rocky bottoms.
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Ideal For: Casting, ice fishing
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Target Species: Bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, perch
Spinnerbaits
If you're looking to stock up on versatile lures, choose to add a spinnerbait. Designed with one or more spinning blades, these baits create flash and vibration as they're retrieved, so they are highly effective at triggering strikes from predatory fish. They are effective in open water, around cover, or even in murky water making them very versatile.
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Ideal For: Casting
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Target Species: Bass, pike, muskie
Topwater Lures
For the ultimate bass lure, choose to add a topwater lure to your tackle box. Designed to float on top of the water, topwater lures mimic prey like frogs, baitfish, and insects struggling at the surface. This type of fishing lure is especially great around cover or shallow water where fish are closer to the surface.
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Ideal For: Casting
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Target Species: Bass, trout, pike, muskie
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Popular Types: Poppers, frogs, propbaits, and walking baits
Soft Plastics
Soft plastics are versatile, come in various shapes and sizes, and deliver lifelike action. Many soft plastics are infused with a scent or flavor attractant to make them further appealing.
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Ideal For: Casting
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Target Species: Bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, perch, trout
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Popular Types: Paddletail, worm, craw, and minnow
Swimbaits
Swimbaits are plastic or rubber lures that can be rigged in a variety of ways depending on the fishing conditions and target species. Featuring a paddle tail or boot tail, rigged swimbaits offer a natural swimming motion when the lure is retrieved.
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Ideal For: Casting, trolling, ice fishing
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Target Species: Bass, walleye, trout, pike, crappie
Spoons
Spoons are simple lures that catch the light to attract fish, so they are best used in bright conditions. When used with a swivel, they wobble in the water to mimic injured baitfish.
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Ideal For: Casting, trolling, ice fishing
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Target Species: Walleye, pike, muskie
Blade Baits
For an easy lure to fish, choose a blade bait. Upon retrieval, blade baits vibrate strongly, creating noise that attracts fish.
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Ideal For: Casting, trolling, ice fishing
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Target Species: Walleye, pike, muskie, bass, crappie
Bladed Jigs
When versatility and vibration are key, a bladed jig is a must-have addition to your tackle box. Also known as chatterbaits, these lures feature a metal blade that vibrates and flashes as the lure is retrieved, creating an irresistible combination of movement and noise. Bladed jigs are great in grassy areas and around structure.
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Ideal For: Casting
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Target Species: Bass, pike, walleye
No matter what type of fishing you enjoy, having a few different types of lures in your tackle box ensures you're ready for any conditions. Each type of lure has its own unique action and ideal application, helping you adapt to the water and entice more strikes. For personalized recommendations about tackle, visit your local SCHEELS and speak with a Fishing Expert.
About our Experts
With nearly 30 years of experience in the outdoor retail industry, Tom has invaluable knowledge and experience with outdoor technology, especially in the fishing industry. On days off, Tom’s on the water fishing for bass.