We will be discussing some of the best tips for using lures to catch fish. We will cover everything from selecting the right lure to using it effectively in different fishing conditions. Rarely do you see tips on how to use the lures. Each lure has aspects that increase its productivity. There are a lot of people casting and retrieving lures without any focus. You need to know why and how the lure looks and should feel.
Selecting the Right Lure
Selecting the right lure is crucial to catching fish. Different types of lures are designed to mimic different prey, so it’s important to choose a lure that matches the type of fish you’re trying to catch. Some common types of lures include spinners, jigs, crankbaits, and soft plastics.
Not all lures will work in all situations. So it’s important to be willing to try new things. There are a few other things you can do to increase your chances of success when using lures. One is to pay attention to the weather and time of day. Fish are more active in certain conditions. Do you need a reaction or finesse lure?
Practice Using a Lure
Professional and experienced anglers practice using lures. This is a habit with them. Beginners and novice anglers overlook this crucial part of lure fishing. When practicing you will catch fish. If you simply cast and retrieve fewer fish will be caught.
- Practice each lure to become good with the lure
- Start with 2-3 types of lures, too many lead to confusion
- What type of lure do you need? A reaction or finesse type.
- Inactive fish uses a finesse lure
- Active fish uses a reaction lure
- Do the lures run at the proper depth?
- Do you know if the fish are feeding up or down?
If you are inexperienced as an angler. Start with 2-3 lure types. Using too many lure options leads to confusion. Learn where a lure works. Then add another type of lure. This is an important tip on using lures. Beginners buy and try everything popular or seen as being productive.
Think about what action does the lure need? Is a fast retrieve or slow retrieve best? What depth do you want the lure to run? Quit looking at lures as something to toss out and catch fish. Lures are tools designed for situations. Each has a time and place it will excel.
When fish are inactive a slow or finesse technique is better. Active fish use search or reaction baits with good success. Plus, people often rely on a single lure type and color. You are missing fish if you do this practice.
Finesse tactics work well during a cold front, in colder water, and in high-pressure areas. Reaction lures will cover more water and draw active fish out of the cover. Consider these aspects when choosing a lure. Add in the depth also. What lure will run in the same zone as the fish?
An element of fishing overlooked is fish feeding up or down. At times fish are looking up towards the surface. They do not see lures on the bottom. Fish feeding down will not see a lure higher up in the water column. The depth and position of the fish affect what lures to choose.
What to Feel When Using Lures Tips
Lures will send signals back through the line. These are vibrations, gentle tugs, or bumps You feel during the retrieve. You need to pay attention to these signals. The lure is telling you what is happening out of view, at the other end of your line.
- Lures send signals back through the line.
- Reaction lures transmit a steady vibration
- Finesse lures you will feel bumps, tugs, or a change in weight
- Do you know what each feeling means?
- Is the bump or tug a fish or cover?
- What is causing the change in weight?
Crankbaits and spinnerbaits send a steady vibration that is felt easy. If you do not feel vibrations the lure is fouled by weeds, slop, or tangled in the line. At times it can be a fish. The vibration is felt with jerkbaits and chatter baits also. Learn how each lure feels when running properly. The vibrations are what lure a fish from far away. The visual aspect comes into play when fish are close.
Using soft plastics or jigs and rigs is different. You do not feel a steady vibration. Instead on the retrieve, you will feel bumps, tugs, or nothing. When you feel any of these what is the lure doing? There are differences between the bumps, tugs, and nothing feeling.
The bumps tend to be the lure hitting the bottom or cover. A tug can be a fish, weeds, or a small branch pulling on the lure. Learn what is the difference between each feeling. At times you feel the extra weight or nothing. This may be a fish or something else caught like leaves or weeds. Experience will allow you to know the difference. Practicing a lure gives you the experience.
Tips for Using Lures; Color Choices
Lures come in many colors. The truth is you do not need all the colors. Buy a few bright and dark colors to start. The most productive colors include black and blue as dark colors. The bright colors are yellow, chartreuse, and green pumpkin. You will find these are the common colors available for lures.
- You need a few colors to start
- Dark colors for darker stained or muddy water
- Light colors for clearer water situations
- The abundance of colors is a marketing ploy
- Each waterway has different colors that are productive
- Using a lure correctly is more important
Each waterway has colors that work better. The amount of water clarity and depth affect color choice. Learn which colors work best in each waterway that you fish.
Fishing conditions can have a big impact on how effective your lure is. For example, in clear water, you may need to use a more natural-looking lure, while in murky or stained water, a darker-colored or flashy lure may be more effective.
Understanding how to adjust your lure and your technique based on the conditions can help you catch more fish.
You do need a few colors for different water clarity and staining. Choose a color that provides a good silhouette that is not too bold. Clearer water having a color too vivid can spook fish. The fish need to see the lure and not be dazzled as you may be with some colors. The truth is that all the color choices are to entice you into buying more lures. Using a lure correctly is more important.
Conclusion
Fishing with lures you need to focus on the function and situation of each lure. Look at the depth and other elements to select a lure. Use the lure correctly and have a feel for the lure. Each lure will give you feedback during use. Do not ignore the feedback. Learn what each variation in the feel means to catch more fish. You need to practice using lures to become good or expert with each one.