Guide To Fishing Lures For All Species
Artificial lures have been a part of fishing for centuries. In as early as 2000B.C. lures were made from bone and bronze. In the early 1900's mass production of fishing lures turned a hand-made craft item into a commercially made product. These new lures were sought by avid fishermen from coast to coast. Today the manufacture of fishing lures is a multi-billion dollar industry.
Fishing lures are designed to catch specific species of fish, but will often attract other fish as well. It is not uncommon to catch crappie, walleye, sunfish, catfish and others on a lure designed specifically for bass. Each lure is created as an imitation of something fish like to eat. They range in size from tiny trout flies imitating insects to foot-long lures posing as worms, snakes, frogs and bait fish.
Bass Fishing Lures
The vast majority of bass lures imitate bait fish (shad, minnows and other small fish), crawfish (or crawdads), shrimp (and other crustaceans), frogs, worms, snakes, ducks and other natural food sources. Different bass-fishing lures are designed to be fished at varying depths ranging from floating surface lures to heavy jigs and worms fished to a depth of 60' or more. See details for use on the bass fishing page.
Trout Flies & Lures
Most trout are caught on flies which imitate their primary food source, insects. Trout have small mouths and eat large quantities of small insects until they are large enough to eat bait fish, worms, fish eggs and small crustaceans. Also visit the trout fishing page.
Crappie Jigs & Sunfish Lures
Crappie love minnows. Most crappie jigs and lures are designed to imitate minnows or other small fish. Other small sunfish lures are simply the smaller versions of crappie baits. Also visit the crappie fishing page for tips, tactics and methods.
Walleye Lures
For the most part, walleye lures are small versions of popular bass fishing lures. The mouth of a walleye is smaller than that of bass so it feeds on smaller portions of the same menu as bass. Walleye fishing lures are generally fished slower as well. Also see the walleye fishing page for tactics and tips.
Northern Pike Lures
Northern pike are aggressive feeders and attack anything that's edible, especially if it is struggling. Bright colored lures that create commotion are particularly good in shallow water. More natural colors can work in deeper water especially on slow days. For how-to information visit the northern pike fishing page.
Muskie Lures
Big lures for big fish. The most popular musky lures are colorful, flashy and noisy. Also visit the muskie and tiger musky fishing page to learn when, where and how.
Fishing in all states
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Fishing lures imitate the food source.
Knowing what the primary food sources are, and how deep the fish are on a given day, are the two most important factors when selecting a lure. Experiment with color, size and presentation to let the fish tell you their preference throughout the day.
Fishing Information
