Fish Finder Outdoors › Beginner's Guide to Fishing Lures THE COMPLETE TAKE-ALONG EBOOK
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Best Fishing Lures for Beginners
If you are standing in the tackle aisle wondering what to buy, start with five simple lure families. They cover trout, bass, crappie, perch, walleye and many other freshwater species without requiring advanced tackle.
Inline spinner Best simple choice for trout and mixed-species fishing.
Casting spoon Easy to cast far and fish at several depths.
Curly-tail grub Cheap, simple and effective for panfish, bass and walleye.
Paddle-tail swimbait A natural baitfish presentation for bass, walleye, trout and pike.
Plastic worm A bass staple that can be rigged for weeds, docks and bottom fishing.
Completely new to fishing? This lure guide assumes you already know the very basics. Start with Catch Your First Fish for the full first-trip system, or download the free First Fishing Trip Checklist .
Start Here: How to Choose a Fishing Lure For most beginners, the easiest freshwater fishing lures are an inline spinner, casting spoon, curly-tail grub, paddle-tail swimbait and soft-plastic worm. Choose by target fish first, then depth and cover. In clear water start natural; in stained water use more visible colors or stronger vibration.
A dependable beginner setup Start with a 6 ft 6 in to 7 ft medium-power, fast-action spinning rod, a 2500-size reel and 8 lb monofilament. That outfit handles most freshwater lures in this guide.
Five confidence lures Inline spinner • casting spoon • plastic worm • curly-tail grub • paddle-tail swimbait
Inline Spinner Spinnerbait Buzzbait Casting Spoon Jigging Spoon Squarebill Crankbait Shallow-Diving Crankbait Medium-Diving Crankbait Deep-Diving Crankbait Lipless Crankbait Floating Jerkbait Suspending Jerkbait Sinking Jerkbait Topwater Popper Walking Bait Prop Bait Hollow-Body Frog Wake Bait Football Jig Swim Jig Flipping Jig Finesse Jig Hair Jig Ice Jig Plastic Worm Stick Bait Craw Bait Creature Bait Tube Bait Curly-Tail Grub Paddle-Tail Swimbait Ned Rig Drop-Shot Worm Hard Swimbait Glide Bait Rigging Methods Trout Favorites Best Lures by Species FAQ Photo note: Lure photos are real representative examples used for identification. The exact Amazon recommendations are listed separately in each product-pick box.
Spinners
Inline Spinner
Best fish Rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, cutthroat trout, bass, crappie, perch and bluegill.
Difficulty Very easy
Price level Usually budget to mid-range.
What it is A compact lure with a metal blade that spins around a wire shaft as it moves through the water.
Why it works The spinning blade produces flash and vibration while the body resembles a small baitfish or insect.
Best conditions Streams, rivers, ponds and lakes; especially good in clear to lightly stained water and moderate current.
Best colors Silver or white in clear water; gold or copper on cloudy days; chartreuse or orange in stained water.
How to fish it Cast across or slightly upstream. Retrieve just fast enough to keep the blade turning. Change speed or let it sink briefly to cover different depths. Rod & reel 6-7 ft light or medium-light spinning rod, 1000-2500 reel, 4-8 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Spinners
Spinnerbait
Best fish Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike and occasionally walleye.
Difficulty Easy
Price level Usually budget to mid-range.
What it is A safety-pin-shaped lure with one or more blades above a skirted single hook.
Why it works The blades flash and thump while the skirt pulses like a small school of baitfish.
Best conditions Weed edges, docks, fallen trees, shallow flats and stained water.
Best colors White for shad; white/chartreuse for stained water; black for low light.
How to fish it Cast beside cover. Use a steady retrieve. Let it bump wood or tick vegetation, then continue reeling. Rod & reel 6 ft 10 in-7 ft 3 in medium-heavy rod, 2500-3000 spinning reel or baitcaster, 12-17 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Spinners
Buzzbait
Best fish Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike.
Difficulty Moderate
Price level Usually budget to mid-range.
What it is A wire-frame topwater lure with a rotating metal propeller and a skirted single hook.
Why it works Its blade churns the surface, creating noise, bubbles and a fleeing-prey silhouette.
Best conditions Warm water, low light, cloudy days, shallow cover and calm to lightly rippled water.
Best colors White in daylight; black in low light; chartreuse in stained water.
How to fish it Start reeling as soon as it lands. Keep the blade on the surface. Wait until you feel the fish before setting the hook. Rod & reel 7 ft medium-heavy fast rod, baitcaster or 3000 spinning reel, 15-20 lb mono or 30-50 lb braid.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Spoons
Casting Spoon
Best fish Trout, northern pike, salmon, walleye, bass and muskie.
Difficulty Very easy
Price level Usually budget.
What it is A curved metal lure that wobbles and flashes as it is retrieved or allowed to fall.
Why it works Its wobble and flutter imitate a wounded baitfish, and its weight allows long casts.
Best conditions Lakes, reservoirs and rivers; excellent from shore, in wind or when fish are spread out.
Best colors Silver on bright days; gold or copper under clouds; red/white or firetiger for pike and stained water.
How to fish it Cast beyond the target. Retrieve steadily or use stop-and-go. Let it flutter on pauses; many strikes come on the fall. Rod & reel 6 ft 6 in-7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500-3000 reel, 8-15 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Spoons
Jigging Spoon
Best fish Walleye, lake trout, bass, perch, crappie, salmon and pike.
Difficulty Easy
Price level Usually budget.
What it is A compact, heavy spoon designed mainly for vertical fishing and controlled falls.
Why it works It flashes and darts upward, then flutters like a dying baitfish as it drops.
Best conditions Deep water, suspended fish, boat fishing and ice fishing.
Best colors Silver, gold, white, chartreuse and glow finishes.
How to fish it Drop to the fish or bottom. Lift the rod 6-24 inches. Follow the lure down with controlled slack and watch for line jumps. Rod & reel Medium or medium-light spinning rod; short ice rod in winter; 6-12 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Crankbaits
Squarebill Crankbait
Best fish Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and northern pike.
Difficulty Easy
Price level Usually mid-range.
What it is A short-bodied crankbait with a square plastic bill that runs shallow and deflects off cover.
Why it works Its wide wobble resembles a fleeing baitfish, while sudden deflections trigger reaction strikes.
Best conditions One to five feet of water around rocks, stumps, docks and laydowns.
Best colors Shad or bluegill in clear water; crawfish in spring; chartreuse/black in stained water.
How to fish it Cast beyond cover. Retrieve so the bill contacts objects. Pause briefly after a hard deflection. Rod & reel 6 ft 10 in-7 ft 2 in medium moderate rod, 2500-3000 reel or baitcaster, 10-14 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Crankbaits
Shallow-Diving Crankbait
Best fish Bass, walleye, pike and larger trout.
Difficulty Easy
Price level Usually mid-range.
What it is A billed hard bait designed to swim roughly three to eight feet deep.
Why it works It covers shallow flats and weed edges while imitating active baitfish.
Best conditions Shallow points, shoreline breaks, weed tops and flats.
Best colors Shad, perch, bluegill, crawfish and firetiger.
How to fish it Cast across the target depth. Use a steady retrieve. Add a pause or speed change when fish follow. Rod & reel Medium moderate rod, 2500-3000 reel, 10-12 lb mono or fluorocarbon.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Crankbaits
Medium-Diving Crankbait
Best fish Bass, walleye, pike and lake trout where legal and practical.
Difficulty Moderate
Price level Usually mid-range.
What it is A crankbait built to reach approximately eight to twelve feet.
Why it works It reaches fish holding on mid-depth points, humps and submerged cover.
Best conditions Reservoir points, channel edges, deeper weedlines and submerged timber.
Best colors Natural baitfish, perch, crawfish and chartreuse patterns.
How to fish it Make a long cast. Crank until it reaches depth. Maintain contact with cover or the bottom when possible. Rod & reel 7 ft medium moderate rod, 3000 reel or baitcaster, 10-14 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Crankbaits
Deep-Diving Crankbait
Best fish Bass, walleye, pike and lake trout.
Difficulty Moderate
Price level Usually mid-range.
What it is A long-billed crankbait designed to dive twelve feet or deeper.
Why it works It reaches offshore fish that shallow lures cannot and creates strong vibration at depth.
Best conditions Deep points, ledges, humps, channel edges and summer or winter holding water.
Best colors Shad, bluegill, perch, chartreuse and crawfish.
How to fish it Use a long cast. Retrieve steadily until the lure contacts the target depth. Pause after bottom contact or deflection. Rod & reel 7-7 ft 6 in medium-heavy moderate rod, baitcaster or 3000 reel, 10-15 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Crankbaits
Lipless Crankbait
Best fish Bass, walleye, pike, trout and larger crappie.
Difficulty Easy
Price level Usually mid-range.
What it is A flat-sided sinking crankbait with no diving bill, usually containing internal rattles.
Why it works It vibrates tightly, covers water quickly and can be fished at almost any depth.
Best conditions Weed flats, open water, windy banks and cold-water yo-yo presentations.
Best colors Chrome or shad in clear water; red/crawfish in spring; chartreuse in stained water.
How to fish it Use a steady retrieve for searching. Rip it free from grass. Lift and let it fall for a yo-yo retrieve. Rod & reel 7 ft medium or medium-heavy rod, 2500-3000 reel or baitcaster, 10-15 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Jerkbaits
Floating Jerkbait
Best fish Bass, trout, pike and walleye.
Difficulty Easy
Price level Usually mid-range.
What it is A slender minnow-shaped lure that rises toward the surface when paused.
Why it works Rod twitches make it dart like an injured baitfish, while the rise helps avoid shallow cover.
Best conditions Shallow water, shorelines, weed edges and wood cover.
Best colors Silver, shad, perch, trout and bluegill patterns.
How to fish it Reel it down. Twitch once or twice. Pause and let it rise, then repeat. Rod & reel 6 ft 6 in-7 ft medium fast rod, 2500 reel, 8-12 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Jerkbaits
Suspending Jerkbait
Best fish Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, trout and pike.
Difficulty Moderate
Price level Usually mid-range to premium.
What it is A minnow-shaped hard bait designed to remain nearly motionless at depth during a pause.
Why it works The sudden stop makes the lure look vulnerable and gives following fish an easy target.
Best conditions Clear, cool water; rocky banks; suspended fish; spring and fall.
Best colors Ghost shad, silver, perch, trout, white and chartreuse.
How to fish it Jerk-jerk-pause. Use longer pauses in cold water. Watch for line movement during the pause. Rod & reel 6 ft 6 in medium fast rod, 2500 reel or baitcaster, 8-12 lb fluorocarbon.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Jerkbaits
Sinking Jerkbait
Best fish Bass, walleye, trout, salmon and pike.
Difficulty Moderate
Price level Usually mid-range.
What it is A jerkbait that sinks during pauses, allowing the angler to reach deeper fish.
Why it works Its darting action attracts fish, while the controlled fall keeps it in deeper strike zones.
Best conditions Deep shorelines, steep banks, reservoirs and suspended fish.
Best colors Natural baitfish, silver, gold, trout and perch patterns.
How to fish it Count it down to depth. Twitch and pause. Do not let it sink into snags. Rod & reel 7 ft medium fast rod, 2500-3000 reel, 8-12 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Topwater
Topwater Popper
Best fish Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie and pike.
Difficulty Easy
Price level Usually mid-range.
What it is A floating hard bait with a cupped face that pops and spits water when twitched.
Why it works Its sound and surface disturbance imitate an injured baitfish, frog or large insect.
Best conditions Calm water, docks, weed edges, timber, dawn, dusk and cloudy days.
Best colors Bone or white in daylight; black in low light; natural frog or baitfish patterns.
How to fish it Let the landing rings fade. Pop once or twice. Pause; wait to feel weight before setting the hook. Rod & reel 6 ft 6 in-7 ft medium fast rod, 2500 reel, 10-15 lb mono or braid with mono leader.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Topwater
Walking Bait
Best fish Bass, pike, muskie and schooling predators.
Difficulty Moderate
Price level Usually mid-range.
What it is A cigar-shaped floating bait designed to zigzag side to side in a walk-the-dog action.
Why it works It resembles a panicked baitfish and covers more surface water than a popper.
Best conditions Open water, long points, weed edges, schooling fish and calm to lightly rippled water.
Best colors Bone, shad, chrome, black and natural baitfish patterns.
How to fish it Point the rod tip down. Use rhythmic slack-line twitches. Pause when fish miss the lure. Rod & reel 6 ft 6 in-7 ft medium fast rod, 2500-3000 reel or baitcaster, 10-20 lb mono or braid.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Topwater
Prop Bait
Best fish Bass, pike and occasionally walleye.
Difficulty Easy
Price level Usually mid-range.
What it is A floating hard bait with one or more small propellers that spin during twitches.
Why it works The props produce flash, bubbles and sharp bursts of sound without moving the lure far.
Best conditions Calm water, shallow cover, timber and low-light periods.
Best colors Bone, white, shad, perch and black.
How to fish it Twitch to spin the prop. Pause until the water settles. Repeat with varied cadence. Rod & reel Medium fast rod, 2500 reel or baitcaster, 10-15 lb mono or braid.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Topwater
Hollow-Body Frog
Best fish Largemouth bass, northern pike and bowfin where present.
Difficulty Moderate
Price level Usually mid-range.
What it is A soft, hollow, weedless topwater lure with hooks riding close to the body.
Why it works It travels across vegetation and imitates frogs, mice or struggling prey over heavy cover.
Best conditions Lily pads, duckweed, matted grass, reeds and thick shoreline vegetation.
Best colors Natural frog in clear water; white on bright days; black in low light.
How to fish it Cast onto or beyond vegetation. Walk or drag it across the surface. Pause in holes and wait to feel the fish before setting hard. Rod & reel 7 ft-7 ft 6 in heavy fast rod, baitcaster, 40-65 lb braid.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Topwater
Wake Bait
Best fish Bass, pike and muskie.
Difficulty Easy
Price level Usually mid-range to premium.
What it is A floating or very shallow-running lure that leaves a visible V-shaped wake.
Why it works Its slow surface swim resembles a vulnerable baitfish or small animal.
Best conditions Warm water, shallow flats, calm shorelines and low-light periods.
Best colors Shad, bluegill, perch, trout, bone and black.
How to fish it Retrieve slowly enough to keep a wake. Add an occasional pause. Keep it above shallow cover. Rod & reel 7 ft medium-heavy rod, baitcaster or 3000 reel, 12-20 lb mono.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Jigs
Swim Jig
Best fish Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike.
Difficulty Easy
Price level Usually budget to mid-range.
What it is A streamlined skirted jig designed to be retrieved horizontally like a baitfish.
Why it works The skirt and soft-plastic trailer combine flash, bulk and swimming action.
Best conditions Grass, weed edges, docks, shallow flats and wood cover.
Best colors White for shad; green pumpkin for bluegill; black/blue for stained water.
How to fish it Add a paddle-tail or craw trailer. Retrieve steadily. Tick cover and change speed occasionally. Rod & reel 7 ft medium-heavy fast rod, baitcaster or 3000 reel, 12-20 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Jigs
Flipping Jig
Best fish Largemouth bass and northern pike.
Difficulty Moderate
Price level Usually budget to mid-range.
What it is A heavy, compact jig with a strong hook and weed guard for thick cover.
Why it works It drops into places where bass hide and resembles a crawfish or bluegill.
Best conditions Brush, laydowns, reeds, docks, thick weeds and matted vegetation.
Best colors Green pumpkin, black/blue, brown and bluegill patterns.
How to fish it Pitch it quietly into cover. Let it fall on controlled slack. Lift once or twice, then make another short pitch. Rod & reel 7 ft 2 in-7 ft 6 in heavy fast rod, baitcaster, 17-25 lb fluorocarbon or 40-65 lb braid.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Jigs
Finesse Jig
Best fish Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie and walleye.
Difficulty Easy
Price level Usually budget to mid-range.
What it is A smaller, lighter skirted jig for pressured, clear-water or cold-water fish.
Why it works Its compact profile looks natural and does not overwhelm inactive fish.
Best conditions Clear water, cold fronts, small streams, pressured lakes and rocky banks.
Best colors Green pumpkin, brown, black, natural craw and bluegill.
How to fish it Use a small trailer. Drag or hop it gently. Pause often. Rod & reel 6 ft 10 in-7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8-12 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Jigs
Hair Jig
Best fish Trout, smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie and lake trout.
Difficulty Easy
Price level Usually budget.
What it is A weighted hook dressed with bucktail, marabou or synthetic hair.
Why it works The hair breathes and pulses with very little movement, making it excellent in cold water.
Best conditions Rivers, clear lakes, cold water, deep structure and suspended fish.
Best colors White, black, brown, olive and natural baitfish combinations.
How to fish it Swim it slowly or hop it gently. Keep movements small. Let current or water movement animate the hair. Rod & reel Medium-light spinning rod, 1000-2500 reel, 4-10 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Jigs
Ice Jig
Best fish Perch, crappie, bluegill, trout and walleye.
Difficulty Easy
Price level Usually budget.
What it is A small, compact jig designed for vertical presentation through the ice.
Why it works Small movements create flash and vibration directly in front of fish in cold water.
Best conditions Ice fishing and other vertical presentations.
Best colors Glow, white, chartreuse, pink, gold and natural insect colors.
How to fish it Drop to the target depth. Use tiny lifts or shakes. Pause frequently and watch the spring bobber or line. Rod & reel 24-36 in light or medium-light ice rod, small reel, 2-8 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Soft Plastics
Plastic Worm
Best fish Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and occasionally catfish.
Difficulty Very easy
Price level Usually budget.
What it is A flexible artificial worm available in straight, ribbon-tail and many other styles.
Why it works Its soft texture and subtle movement resemble worms, leeches and other easy prey.
Best conditions Weeds, docks, brush, rock, ponds, lakes and rivers.
Best colors Green pumpkin, watermelon, black, black/blue and junebug.
How to fish it Texas-rig it for cover or use a light jig head. Let it sink. Drag, hop or shake it slowly. Rod & reel 6 ft 10 in-7 ft 2 in medium fast rod, 2500 reel or baitcaster, 8-15 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Soft Plastics
Stick Bait
Best fish Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and walleye.
Difficulty Very easy
Price level Usually budget.
What it is A thick, straight soft-plastic bait that shimmies as it falls.
Why it works Its slow, natural fall triggers bites with almost no added action.
Best conditions Docks, shorelines, grass edges, laydowns and clear water.
Best colors Green pumpkin, watermelon red, black/blue, natural shad and junebug.
How to fish it Rig it wacky or Texas style. Cast and let it fall on slack line. Watch the line; most bites happen on the fall. Rod & reel Medium fast spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6-12 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Soft Plastics
Craw Bait
Best fish Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and pike.
Difficulty Easy
Price level Usually budget.
What it is A soft plastic shaped like a crayfish, often with two moving claws.
Why it works Crayfish are a major food source in rocky and weedy freshwater habitats.
Best conditions Rock, gravel, wood, docks and weed edges.
Best colors Green pumpkin, brown, black/blue, orange-brown and natural craw.
How to fish it Texas-rig it, put it on a jig, or use a small jig head. Drag or hop along the bottom. Pause near rock or wood. Rod & reel Medium-heavy fast rod, 2500-3000 reel or baitcaster, 10-17 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Soft Plastics
Creature Bait
Best fish Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike.
Difficulty Moderate
Price level Usually budget.
What it is A multi-appendage soft plastic that creates extra movement without copying one exact animal.
Why it works Its legs and flappers displace water and trigger reaction strikes in cover.
Best conditions Brush, grass, docks, mats and stained water.
Best colors Green pumpkin, black/blue, junebug and watermelon.
How to fish it Texas-rig it or use it as a jig trailer. Pitch into cover. Let it fall, shake briefly, then move to the next target. Rod & reel Medium-heavy to heavy fast rod, baitcaster, 15-25 lb line or braid.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Soft Plastics
Tube Bait
Best fish Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie and trout.
Difficulty Easy
Price level Usually budget.
What it is A hollow cylindrical soft plastic with a skirted tail.
Why it works Its spiraling fall and compact shape can resemble gobies, crawfish or baitfish.
Best conditions Rocky lakes, rivers, deep water and clear water.
Best colors Green pumpkin, smoke, white, brown and watermelon.
How to fish it Insert a tube jig head. Let it spiral down. Hop or drag it slowly across bottom. Rod & reel Medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6-10 lb fluorocarbon or braid-to-leader.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Soft Plastics
Curly-Tail Grub
Best fish Trout, bass, crappie, perch, bluegill and walleye.
Difficulty Very easy
Price level Usually budget.
What it is A small soft plastic with a curved tail that swims on a steady retrieve.
Why it works Its tail creates action at very slow speeds and resembles small baitfish or aquatic insects.
Best conditions Lakes, rivers, streams, ponds and open water.
Best colors White, chartreuse, smoke, pumpkin, black and pink.
How to fish it Thread it onto a jig head. Cast and retrieve slowly. Also try hopping it along bottom. Rod & reel Light or medium-light spinning rod, 1000-2500 reel, 4-8 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Soft Plastics
Paddle-Tail Swimbait
Best fish Bass, walleye, pike, trout, salmon and crappie.
Difficulty Very easy
Price level Usually budget.
What it is A baitfish-shaped soft plastic with a paddle tail that kicks during the retrieve.
Why it works The tail creates a lifelike swimming action and vibration at many speeds.
Best conditions Open water, weed edges, points, rivers, shorelines and suspended fish.
Best colors White, pearl, shad, green pumpkin, perch and chartreuse.
How to fish it Rig it on a jig head or weighted hook. Retrieve slowly and steadily. Let it sink deeper when fish are low. Rod & reel Medium spinning rod, 2500-3000 reel, 8-15 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Soft Plastics
Ned Rig
Best fish Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, perch and walleye.
Difficulty Easy
Price level Usually budget.
What it is A short stick-shaped soft plastic on a small mushroom-style jig head.
Why it works Its small profile and upright bottom posture appeal to pressured or inactive fish.
Best conditions Clear water, rocky bottoms, cold fronts and heavily fished lakes.
Best colors Green pumpkin, black, brown, watermelon and goby colors.
How to fish it Cast and let it reach bottom. Drag, shake or make tiny hops. Use long pauses. Rod & reel Medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6-10 lb braid with 6-10 lb fluorocarbon leader.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Soft Plastics
Drop-Shot Worm
Best fish Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye and perch.
Difficulty Moderate
Price level Usually budget.
What it is A small finesse worm rigged above a weight so it hovers off the bottom.
Why it works It holds a natural-looking bait in one place and moves with very small rod-tip shakes.
Best conditions Clear water, deep water, vertical fishing, suspended fish and pressured lakes.
Best colors Morning dawn, green pumpkin, shad, smoke and natural worm colors.
How to fish it Drop or cast to the target. Keep the weight near bottom. Shake gently without dragging far. Rod & reel Medium-light fast spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6-10 lb fluorocarbon or braid-to-leader.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Swimbaits
Hard Swimbait
Best fish Bass, pike, muskie and large trout.
Difficulty Moderate
Price level Usually mid-range to premium.
What it is A rigid, often jointed lure designed to swim like a real baitfish.
Why it works Its realistic body shape and jointed motion attract larger predators in clear water.
Best conditions Lakes, reservoirs, points, weed edges and clear water.
Best colors Trout, shad, bluegill, perch and other local forage patterns.
How to fish it Use a slow steady retrieve. Add occasional pauses or turns. Follow manufacturer weight ratings for tackle. Rod & reel Medium-heavy or heavy rod matched to lure weight, baitcaster or 3000 reel, 15-25 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Swimbaits
Glide Bait
Best fish Trophy bass, northern pike and muskie.
Difficulty Advanced for beginners
Price level Usually premium.
What it is A large, usually single-jointed hard swimbait that sweeps widely from side to side.
Why it works Its broad glide resembles a large, vulnerable baitfish and draws fish from a distance.
Best conditions Clear water, reservoirs, large lakes and areas holding large predators.
Best colors Trout, shad, bluegill, perch and natural forage patterns.
How to fish it Retrieve slowly. Use reel turns or gentle twitches to widen the glide. Pause when a fish follows. Rod & reel Heavy rod rated for the lure, strong baitcaster, 17-30 lb line.
FFO Quick Tip: Change retrieve speed or depth before giving up on the lure.
Soft-Plastic Rigging Methods These are the main ways beginners can rig the soft plastics already covered in this guide.
Texas Rig Best for: weeds, brush and wood.
Thread a bullet weight above an offset worm hook and bury the hook point in the bait for a weedless presentation.
Carolina Rig Best for: deeper flats and covering bottom.
Place the weight ahead of a swivel and leader so the soft plastic follows behind with a natural action.
Wacky Rig Best for: docks, shorelines and inactive bass.
Hook a stick bait through the middle and let both ends wobble as it falls.
Ned Rig Best for: clear water and pressured fish.
Use a short stick bait on a small mushroom-style jig head and drag or hop it slowly.
Drop Shot Best for: deep or suspended fish.
Tie the hook above the weight so the bait stays off bottom and moves with gentle rod-tip shakes.
Split-Shot Rig Best for: trout, panfish and simple finesse fishing.
Pinch a small split shot above a worm or grub and retrieve or drift it slowly.
Six Proven Trout Favorites These branded lures appeared throughout the original plan because they are easy for beginners to understand and cover streams, rivers and lakes.
Rooster Tail Easy cast-and-retrieve inline spinner for trout and panfish.
Panther Martin Strong vibration and quick blade startup in current and deeper pools.
Kastmaster Compact spoon for long shore casts and multiple depths.
Phoebe Spoon Thin spoon with a subtle wobble for clear water and cautious trout.
Rapala Original Floater Classic minnow profile for twitch-pause retrieves in lakes and rivers.
Trout Magnet Tiny soft-plastic jig for streams, stocked trout and panfish.
Best Lures by Fish Species Use this table when you know the species you want to catch but are unsure which freshwater lure to tie on first. These are starting points, not rules; local forage, depth and water conditions still matter.
Quick Reference Clear water Natural shad, silver, green pumpkin and brown.
Stained water Chartreuse, white, firetiger and gold.
Surface Popper, walking bait, frog and buzzbait.
Bottom Jig, worm, tube, Ned rig and drop shot.
Common Beginner Mistakes Fishing too fast Slow the retrieve before changing lures.
Changing lures constantly Give a good lure enough time at different depths and speeds.
Fishing empty water Focus on weeds, wood, rock, docks, points and drop-offs.
Using the wrong depth Count lures down or change weight until you contact fish.
Ignoring damaged line Check the last few feet often and retie when rough or frayed.
Using dull hooks Replace or sharpen hooks that no longer catch a fingernail.
Setting topwater hooks too early Wait until you feel the fish.
Buying too much tackle Learn a small group of confidence lures first.
Beginner Gear Checklist Fishing license and current regulations 6 ft 6 in-7 ft medium spinning combo 8 lb monofilament line Small tackle box with adjustable dividers Needle-nose pliers Line cutters Polarized sunglasses Landing net with rubber-coated mesh Measuring tape or board Life jacket when boating or wading where required Water, sun protection and basic first-aid supplies Shop beginner fishing gear on Amazon Glossary Action The movement a lure makes in the water. Baitfish Small fish eaten by larger fish. Cover Objects such as weeds, wood or docks that fish use for shelter or ambush. Drop-off A place where the bottom quickly becomes deeper. Finesse A small, subtle presentation used for cautious or inactive fish. Forage The natural food fish are eating. Leader A short section of line between the main line and lure. Power How much force is required to bend a rod. Action (rod) Where a rod bends, such as fast, moderate or slow. Retrieve The way a lure is worked back after a cast. Structure Bottom features such as points, humps, channels and ledges. Suspended Holding between the surface and bottom. Topwater A lure designed to work on the surface. Weedless Designed to reduce snagging in vegetation or cover. Frequently Asked Questions What is the easiest lure for a beginner? An inline spinner, casting spoon, curly-tail grub or paddle-tail swimbait can all be fished successfully with a simple cast-and-retrieve.
How many lures do I need? Five or six proven lure types are enough to begin. Add more only after you understand what your current lures do.
Do lure colors really matter? Yes, but location, depth and action usually matter more. Start natural in clear water, bright in stained water and dark in muddy or low-light conditions.
What lure should I use when nothing is biting? Try a smaller finesse bait such as a Ned rig, finesse jig, drop-shot worm or small grub, and slow down.
Should I use live bait or lures? Both work. Lures cover more water and are reusable; live bait can be easier when fish are inactive.
Do expensive lures catch more fish? Not automatically. A basic lure presented at the right depth and speed usually outperforms an expensive lure used incorrectly.
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Photo Credits & Licenses
Photo credits for openly licensed and public-domain lure photographs used in this guide are listed below. Some product-identification images were carried forward from the existing Fish Finder Outdoors project asset set. Images may be cropped or framed for layout. Product recommendations are independent of the photographs shown.
Spinner lure - Santeri Viinamäki, Wikimedia Commons , CC BY-SA 4.0.Spinnerbait - User:E tac / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 / public-domain dedication .Four lure types (jig, spoon, plug, spinnerbait) - R. Henrik Nilsson, Wikimedia Commons , CC BY 4.0.Spoon-bait collection - George Chernilevsky, Wikimedia Commons , public domain.Perch lure collection - Lime82, Wikimedia Commons , CC BY-SA 3.0.Rapala lure collections - Fanny Schertzer, Rapala lures 1 and Rapala lures 7 , Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 compatible licensing.Wobbler lures - George Chernilevsky, Wikimedia Commons , public domain.Popper lure - Musky~jawiki, Wikimedia Commons , public domain.Scum frog lure - Musky~jawiki, Wikimedia Commons , public domain.Jig/Twister lure photos - George Chernilevsky, G1 and G2 , Wikimedia Commons, public domain.Bucktail lure - Miacocca, Wikimedia Commons , CC BY-SA 4.0.Mormyshka ice-fishing lures - R. Henrik Nilsson, Wikimedia Commons , CC BY 4.0.Popular bass fishing lures - Milknuggets, Wikimedia Commons , CC0.Crappie soft-plastic lures - Milknuggets, Wikimedia Commons , CC0.Kanan swimbaits - Kananlures, Wikimedia Commons , CC BY-SA 3.0.
License links: CC BY 4.0 • CC BY-SA 4.0 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • CC0 .
About Fish Finder Outdoors
Fish Finder Outdoors (FFO) is a beginner-friendly fishing resource from Mountain Dog Enterprises (MDE) . FFO helps anglers spend less time guessing with practical fishing reports, lure guides, first-trip resources and straightforward outdoor information.
Use the Fish Finder Outdoors fishing-report search when you are ready to choose where to try, and always verify current regulations for the exact water before fishing.
Fish Finder Outdoors — an outdoor resource from Mountain Dog Enterprises.
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FISH FINDER OUTDOORS LURE GUIDE
