Lure Encyclopedia

346 lures and baits organized by category — target species, techniques, conditions, and pro tips for each. Tap any lure to read the full guide and shop on Amazon.

Soft Plastics

Flexible synthetic lures made from pliable PVC or TPE compounds, molded into shapes that mimic worms, crawfish, baitfish, lizards, and creature designs. The most versatile and widely used category of artificial lures.

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Crankbaits

Hard-bodied lures with a lip (bill) that causes them to dive and wobble when retrieved, imitating baitfish or crawfish. Categorized by running depth: shallow (0-5 ft), medium (5-10 ft), and deep (10-20+ ft). Lipless crankbaits lack a bill and produce a tight vibration.

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Jerkbaits

Slender, minnow-shaped hard baits fished with an erratic twitch-pause cadence that imitates a dying baitfish. Suspending models hang motionless in the water column during the pause, which is often when strikes occur. A premier cold-water presentation.

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Topwater

Lures designed to be fished on or just below the surface, creating commotion through splashing, popping, or side-to-side walking action that triggers explosive surface strikes. Includes walking baits, poppers, prop baits, and hollow-body frogs.

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Spinnerbaits & Buzzbaits

Wire-frame lures built on a safety-pin design with a weighted head and one or more rotating blades. Spinnerbaits feature metallic blades that flash and vibrate underwater. Buzzbaits have propeller blades that churn the surface. Both are renowned for snag resistance.

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Spoons

Simple metal lures shaped like the concave bowl of a spoon that wobble, flash, and dart when retrieved, mimicking an injured baitfish. Arguably the oldest artificial lure design, with sub-types including casting, jigging, trolling, flutter, and weedless spoons.

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Jigs

A weighted head molded onto a hook, dressed with a silicone or rubber skirt and typically tipped with a soft plastic trailer. Widely regarded by pros as the single most versatile bass lure ever made. Different head shapes target specific applications.

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Swimbaits

Lifelike lures designed to closely replicate the size, profile, and swimming action of actual baitfish. Range from small soft paddle-tails on jigheads to massive multi-jointed hard baits. Earned a reputation as big-fish producers, especially for trophy bass.

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Bladed Jigs

A hybrid lure combining a skirted jig with a hexagonal metal blade that produces aggressive, erratic vibrating action. The blade's oscillation generates intense vibration and an unpredictable "hunting" action that triggers reaction strikes.

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Flies

Lightweight, hand-tied artificial lures made from feathers, fur, thread, and synthetic materials. Designed to imitate insects, baitfish, and crustaceans at various life stages. Four major types: dry flies (surface), wet flies, nymphs (bottom), and streamers (baitfish).

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Live Bait - Worms & Leeches

Earthworms, nightcrawlers, and leeches — among the most universally effective natural baits in freshwater fishing. Their natural scent, movement, and texture trigger feeding instincts in nearly every freshwater species. The most accessible bait category for anglers of all ages.

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Live Bait - Baitfish

Live minnows, shiners, shad, and other small forage fish that perfectly replicate a predator's primary food source. From tiny fathead minnows for crappie to large golden shiners for trophy largemouth, live baitfish consistently produce the biggest fish.

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Live Bait - Crustaceans

Crayfish, shrimp, and crabs — high-protein natural baits that predatory fish actively seek out. Crayfish are the premier freshwater crustacean bait. In saltwater, live shrimp and crabs are foundational inshore baits.

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Live Bait - Insects

Crickets, grasshoppers, waxworms, mealworms, and various larvae — natural, inexpensive baits highly effective for panfish, trout, and other species. Terrestrial insects float and flutter on the surface mimicking natural food that falls into the water.

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Prepared & Cut Baits

Processed, manufactured, or portioned natural baits including cut fish, stink baits, dough baits (PowerBait), punch baits, salmon eggs, and chicken liver. These baits rely on scent dispersal and are the foundation of catfish fishing across North America.

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Specialty & Regional

Lures, baits, and techniques tied to specific regions, species, or niche applications. Includes Alabama rigs, pork rind trailers, European carp boilies, sabiki rigs, bead fishing for steelhead, ice fishing specialties, and region-specific favorites.

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