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Rapalla Fishing Lures Article

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Understanding Basic Types of Fishing Lures

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Every angler has his or her own favorite type and variety of fishing lures and typically those lures will be one of a group or category. Many times all that is different is the colors or patterns on the lure, but this will often make all the difference in whether or not the fish will bite.

To help novice anglers understand the basic types of fishing lures available in most fishing stores and online tackle stores the following descriptions will be helpful:

Jigs – typically used in almost all types of fishing including ice fishing, jigs are a weighted body and a head part that is actually molded into the hook in a single unit. The jig may be brightly colored, black or may have additional feathers, tails or reflective parts. Jigs can be used with most species of fish. Jigs are usually fished close to the bottom where the jig is bounced off the surface or at specific depths in the water giving the "jigging" motion to the lure.

Crankbait – this fishing lure is meant to be used in all types of fishing, but is very popular in bass fishing. The movement or "cranking" of the bait through the water causes the lure to attract the fish, thereby giving the lure its name. Crankbaits are typically designed to resemble minnows and small bait fish.

Spinnerbaits- another one of the many fishing lures designed to attract fish through movement, the spinner bait has one or more disks located close to the swivel or head of the lure that move like a propeller when reeled through the water. Tailspinners have the propeller like disk at the end of the lure. The hook is mounted at the belly section of the lure, and they may have additional feathers or even a tail attached depending on the species of fish that is being targeted.

Rattlebaits – lures that move through the water and produce a noise, typically by spinning or beaded like components of the lure itself. This vibration in the water is highly attractive to species such as bass and pike.

Spoons – so named because they resemble a spoon in their concave shape, the spoon is designed to move through the water and roll, attracting fish with the bright colors and random movement. The spoon will have a hook attached to the back, usually a treble or three pronged hook or a single hook. Many spoons now have stripes of gold, silver or even highly reflective materials as well as bright colors such as red, orange, yellow and bright green.

Fishing flys – used in fly fishing, these fishing lures are designed to float across the surface of the water, imitating an insect. Fly fishing is popular with salmon, trout, and bass among other species.

Fishing lures are an essential part of every tackle box and learning about the various types of fishing lures can be a great way to spend a winter's afternoon in preparation for the upcoming fishing season.