7 Classic Freshwater Fishing Lures That Catch Everything
By PJ DelHomme
I feel like a fish cruising the fishing department of a mega-sporting goods store. All those shiny lures and fancy packaging promising monster fish entice me. I typically look but don’t take the bait because I already have tackle boxes full of lures. Those lures combine vibration, flash, and realistic fish-like action that trigger strikes from a wide range of fish species. From bass to bluegill, it’s always a good idea to carry a selection of different lure types and sizes to adapt to the fishing conditions and the preferences of the fish you’re targeting.
“There are gold standards of lures that people use,” says Cavan Williams, a content producer for the Fishbrain fishing app. His job takes him fishing all over the U.S., and while he always carries plenty of lures, he never misses a chance to touch base with the local pros. “When you go to a new spot, find a small, local tackle shop,” Williams says. “The big box stores are fine, but you know the local shops are not going to make stuff up. The guy working the local shop is working there because that’s his passion, not his paycheck.”
We’ve compiled a list of seven classic lures that should be in your tackle box. There are variations on every one of these lures, so a trip to your local tackle shop is always a good idea. You’ll catch just about anything if you have a random combination of sizes and colors of the following lures in your tackle box.
Worms
I’m not a fish historian, but if I bet the first fishing lure an angler ever used was a worm attached to a hook made of bone. It likely worked back then because it still works today to catch bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, perch, trout, and most anything with gills. It’s almost a rite of passage for kids to stick a slimy, wiggling worm onto a hook. If that’s too morbid, then there are plenty of artificial options. Despite its ridiculously long name, the Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits Senko is a crowd favorite that comes in more than 60 color variations.
Spinners
Because I live in Montana, people assume I catch my fish with a fly rod and the tiniest of tiny blue-winged olives while Brad Pitt fishes just downstream. Nope. I’m the guy in sandals, wade fishing in cargo shorts, and chucking spinners, which are great for several fish species, especially trout. They’re compact lures with a rotating blade that creates vibration and flash in the water. With a slow retrieve against the current, they can be darn effective. While they come with barbed treble hooks, I cut off one of the hooks and bend the barbs back on the remaining two for catch and release—unless I’m cooking one up for dinner. I’m a big fan of Mepps spinners, Rooster Tails, and Panter Martins.
Spinnerbaits
Like their spinner cousins, spinnerbaits have a rotating blade, but they have a little something extra. Many have a lead head and a skirt-like dressing around the hook. They create a vibrating, pulsating action that mimics baitfish, making them excellent for targeting predatory fish like bass, pike, and walleye. There are nearly as many different kinds of spinnerbaits as plastic worms, but the War Eagle brand seems to be a favorite of the internet.
Crankbaits
If there was ever one lure synonymous with bass fishing, it’s the crankbait. These little guys remind me of baby rattles armed with treble hooks. Crankbaits are shaped like small fish and have a tight wobbling action that attracts bass, walleye, and other predatory fish. They come in various sizes and diving depths, making them versatile for different water conditions. Strike King’s KVD Squarebill Crankbaits are worth a look. The downside to most crankbaits? They cost about as much as a six-pack when you lose one.
Jigs
Jigs are lead-headed lures with a hook and a soft plastic or feathered trailer. These are the go-to for ice fishing and busting delicious walleye.They can be fished vertically or horizontally along the bottom to mimic a crawling critter. Jigging for fish is more interactive and can help keep things lively when the kids need more entertainment. Jigs are great for fishing around rocks, brush, and docks and will catch a wide variety of species. Strike King’s Tour Grade Football Jig might be the ugliest jig known to man, but it’s effective for bass.
Spoons are simple lures with a concave or cupped shape that create a fluttering, erratic action in the water.
Spoons
Nothing works better than old-fashioned spoons for catching trout in high mountain lakes. Spoons are simple lures with a concave or cupped shape that create a fluttering, erratic action in the water. There are hundreds, maybe even thousands, of variations of spoons on the market. For smaller rainbow and cutthroat trout, I love Kastmaster spoons. You can’t beat giant Red Devil spoons for bigger lake trout, pike, and muskie, especially when trolling.
Topwater
I saved the best for last. Topwater baits are about as fun as fishing gets. As their name suggests, these baits create surface disturbances that mimic wounded fish, mice, ducklings, frogs, or any other tasty vittle that a bass, pike, or other predatory fish likes to munch. As anglers retrieve topwater baits, they pop, chug, or walk across the surface until BAM, a giant largemouth launches itself out of the water and nearly into the boat. I get excited just writing about it. There are numerous topwater baits on the market, and to see one of my favorites, the Whopper Plopper, in action, check out this video.
One final lure that Williams says is his go-to: the Clouser Minnow. This is technically a fly-fishing lure, but you can easily tie it to your spinning rig. “It literally catches everything from trout to tarpon,” he says.
PJ DelHomme writes and edits content from western Montana. He runs Crazy Canyon Media and Crazy Canyon Journal.
