Lures every angler needs by situation

Aisles upon aisles of fishing lures split off like veins in most bait and tackle stores. Thousands of artificials in hundreds of thousands of sizes and color options line these veins, seemingly from the floor to the ceiling. The amount of options can leave any angler, from novice to pro, staggering with their head spinning. 

For Trout

Panther Martin spinner

The spinning lure that many of us got our start on. It's simple, doesn't require much finesse, and most importantly it’s tried and true. Panther Martins can hook most freshwater species from bluegill, to trout, to bass, pike and muskie. The lure’s flashing blades imitate baitfish and often initiate strikes out of instinct instead of hunger. You’ll need to experiment with how fast you retrieve your lure, based on water and air conditions. Whether the fish are looking for a presentation that’s slow and steady, blazing fast, or in between, Panther Martin is an institution that belongs in your tackle box.

Rooster Tail

The rooster tail is a staple of trout angler tackle boxes and has been since the 50s. Rooster Tails are great for multiple species, but we prefer them in cold water eddies, looking for trout. Rooster Tails have a similar shape as a Panther Martin with a flashing blade, but also with an extra hackle feather tail for extra swimming action. Other design options have twin blades, for extra flash, multiple size offerings and an array of colors. This due it all lure should come with you everywhere you go, regardless of warm, or coldwater fishing. Try pulling one of these lures through slow moving water right on the edge of fast moving water, where lazy trout will sit, waiting for food to float down and come to them. You can tie on a Rooster Tail any time of year and you’ll only have to change the speed of your retrieve to find a hungry fish.

For Bass

The Senko

As a bass fisherman, Texas rigged soft plastics have become my go to’s. From Flukes, swimbaits and trick worms, to brush hogs, lizards or craws, soft plastics can go almost anywhere and fit any scenario. In choosing one however it would have to be the Senko. It beats out the others based purely on year-round production. It can be used in the coldest winters, and the hottest summers and still produce. It can be fished open water, or dropped into the thickest trees and weeds. Rig it Texas-style, wacky, or hook it up as a neg rig to change up presentation. While it’s predominantly going to catch bass, it still remains on my freshwater list solely for its killer ability to do so. 

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Rapala X-Rap

The X-Rap is the new standard when targeting large predators; like pike, bass, muskie and even some saltwater species. The lure can be fished with several different techniques, which gives an angler the ability to grow with the lure as they learn more techniques and their skills grow. The scales, lateral line, and prominent 3D eyes give this lure extreme realism and the internal long casting system lets you cover far more water with long casts. You can choose between two single hooks, or two treble hooks and a myriad of colors and sizes. Rapala also makes a saltwater suitable variation that can hold up to the corrosive nature of salt and is perfect for inshore species like snook, sea trout and red fish. 

Paddle Tail Swim Bait

This was a tough choice. A good paddle tail competes with a good crankbait in my mind, but the paddle tail is going to win out based on versatility. Time after time I’ve gotten onto the lake to find it polluted with weeds, or algae. The paddle tail runs weedless, and that go-anywhere ability gives it a win for me. I couple it with a weighted swimbait hook that typically has a spoon attached to it for a little more flash. It lacks the rattle that most crankbaits bring, but the flash of the spoon helps to compensate in murky waters. A good paddle tail represents a swimming baitfish which most species of predators will hunt down. Depth and speed are dictated by you. 

Lunkerhunt Prop Frog

Every tackle box needs at least one topwater lure. Topwater fishing can be the pinnacle of fishing excitement and when fish are looking at the surface, you don't want to be on the bank, staring at the surface blowups wishing you had something that floats. The prop frog is a very beginner friendly topwater lure that has two weedless hooks on the actual lure and a trailing hook off the back. One of the hardest aspects of fishing topwater is timing the bite correctly, as a hook set often needs to be slightly delayed, and pulling your lure through vegetation without snagging. The trailing hook is great for the short bites bass often give when attacking topwater, helping you time the hookset and the two body hooks move through weeds, brush and lilies minimizing snagging. 

(Bonus) For Offshore Salt

Boone Rigged Tuna Treat

Spoons and bass lures can catch inshore fish, but if you ever find yourself heading offshore, the game changes completely. These feathered lures are great for tuna, sailfish, mahi and even toothy wahoos. The lures come rigged with a 125 pound mono leader and are rugged enough to take several attacks from toothed fish. They can also be fished at any speed and are the preference of Fishbrain’s own Albrey Arrington. 

Nomad Design DTX Minnow

This giant lure resembles a distressed baitfish and can be fished in deep water, or shallows, at varying speeds and by either trolling, or casting it. The unique side to side action will entice a predator's prey drive and the unique colors and patterns bounce light to catch their attention. The DTX Minnow is a preferred lure for pelagic fish, like swordfish, barracuda, wahoo, tuna and more. The lure is durable enough for multiple takes by aggressive toothed fish like barracuda, 

I’m sure this list will rile some people up and spring debates as to why a different lure NEEDS to be included. Be sure to check out the local favorites in your area by utilizing the FishBrain App.