Fishing Lures and Bait Scents: Hard, Soft, Surface

Diving, surface or soft: choose the lure by where the fish are

Lures are grouped by how they move through the water. Diving lures such as crankbaits and minnows have a lip that pulls them down on the retrieve, and the lip's size and angle set the running depth. Surface lures stay on top and suit calm, low-light water. Soft lures and jigs are weighted and worked near the bottom. Sinking wobblers drop when you stop reeling, so they suit fish holding deeper.

Hard and soft lures also differ in hooks and handling. Hard-bodied lures carry treble hooks that snag cover and need care when unhooking. Soft plastics are rigged on a single hook, wear out after a few catches and are often sold as assorted packs. A level label such as beginner or professional is mostly marketing, so judge a lure by its body shape, lip and weight instead.

Length, weight and hook number: matching the lure to rod and fish

Titles list length and weight together, for example 10 cm and 18 g. A lure's weight must fall inside the lure-weight range printed on the rod, or it will cast poorly and stress the blank. Length should suit the fish: smaller lures for panfish and trout, larger minnows and crankbaits for bass and pike. Hook numbers run backwards, so a 4 hook is larger than a 6 hook, because a bigger number means a smaller hook.

Multipacks usually bundle several colors and sizes, and each lure in the pack may have a different weight, so read the pack description and not just the first title. Natural colors suit clear water, while bright or metallic finishes help in stained water or low light. Bait scents add smell to soft plastics; follow the label for how and where each one is meant to be used.

Questions about Fishing Lures and Bait Scents: Hard, Soft, Surface

What does the lip on a crankbait do?

The lip is the plastic or metal bill at the front. It catches water on the retrieve and pulls the lure down, and a longer lip generally dives deeper than a short one. Lures without a lip, such as surface lures, stay near the top.

Is a number 6 hook bigger than a number 4?

No. For hooks numbered 1 and above, a larger number means a smaller hook, so a 6 is smaller than a 4. Sizes bigger than 1 use a slash, such as 1/0 or 2/0, and those grow as the first number rises.

Should a beginner start with hard or soft lures?

Either works. Crankbaits and minnows need only a steady retrieve, so they are easy to use. Soft plastics on a single hook snag less in weeds and brush. Choose by the water and the fish you target, and carry pliers for removing hooks safely.