We have already looked at beginner fishing lures before (we examined spinnerbaits, minnows, soft plastic worms and fishing poppers) but I wanted to return to this subject as there is so much more information that can be covered when it comes to lure fishing using different types of fishing lure. Here I want to add an overview of most types of lure. I will add more in depth posts at a later date on each particular lure and how to fish with them successfully.
First of all, what exactly are fishing lures?
Simply put, a fishing lure is something which is attached to the end of fishing line (usually in turn attached to a fishing rod). This object is usually designed to look like and move like, the fish’s natural food in order to induce the fish to attack the lure and bite the hook. Many types of lures use a combination of bright colours, spinning vibrations and movement to grab the attention of the fish.
Spoon Lures:
This type of fishing lure resembles the scoop of the standard teaspoon found in most peoples kitchen cupboards. Due to the shape of the spoon these types of lures wobble, dart and flash enticingly in the sunlight when retrieved properly. They are used to attract the attention of fish and can be used as trolling lures.
Surface Lures:
Similar to floating poppers, these lures float on the surface of the water and create a noise when retrieved. This is caused by scoops or fins on the lure that plop or gurgle when moved. They can sometimes make life easier when fishing in weed filled areas as they float and are less likely to be snagged.
Jigs:
Jigs are weighted hooks with painted eyes that are pushed through a soft plastic worm or squid. It is cast out and sinks to the bottom. You then jig the rod up and then let it sink again. The fluttering action can cause the fish to strike.
Plug Lures | Crankbaits:
Often these lures are made of wood or plastic and have some sort of scoop on the front of the head to enable a certain amount of diving when retrieved. This scoop often makes the fishing lure wobble unsteadily as well.
Swimbait | Fish imitation, minnow:
These lures are often very realistic and are used to imitate smaller fish that the bigger bass and other fish are likely to generally view as part of their diet. Often when fished erratically these cause other fish to view the minnow or fish imitation as a fish in distress. Some of these are articulated and/or have tails that “swim” as they are reeled in.
Check back for more soon as I will soon add a natural bait section here at a later date.
Looking for ideas of where to go fishing? Check out the exotic lure fishing & hunting page...
Lure Fishing On Rivers
I love fishing in rivers as opposed to lake fishing. To me there is just something so pleasing to spend a day on the river bank in amongst the lovely natural views, sounds and smells of the river, fishing. I also feel that a river is likely to have more individual places, nooks and crannies that you can explore and test with your lures to snag that one big largemouth bass.
Places to target when lure fishing on rivers:
1) Cover:
Cover is anything that is not part of the river contours. Things like submerged tree trunks or stumps, large rocks, boat docks, overhanging trees, weeds and reeds are all likely sources of cover for the predatory bass. As a predator, the bass uses cover for different purposes. Bass (both largemouth and smallmouth) love using cover as ambush points. These places of cover give the bass plenty of protection from other predators as well as good vantage points for food. A large rock in the middle of the current provides the fish with a calm spot behind the rock (on the downstream side) as the rock forces the current to flow around it. This calm area enables the bass to lurk without working too hard to swim against the current and to pick and choose food that flows past.
2) Current:
Look for the main flow of the river. This is where the current is flowing the fastest and will mean that the fish will expend much of its energy to swim in this current. Just off of the main current you can usually find calm spots that are ideal holding areas for bass. Also small bends in the river will change the direction of the current flow and create calm areas. Largemouth Bass will usually use the calmest spot (less energy) and face upstream to be able to see food that is brought down to it.
3) Overhanging Trees:
Overhanging trees provide shady areas along the banks of the river, and sometimes hold bass that take refuge in these areas. Trees sometimes provide fish with titbits that might fall out of the branches (bugs, larvae, sometimes even baby birds) and so sometimes are very productive areas to fish.
4) Bridges:
If there are any bridges that cross the river at any point these might provide awesome places to fish for trophy bass. As mentioned before, bass love the shade provided by bridges and use these as prime holding areas. Bridge supports (in the water) disturb the water's flow and provide calmer spots.
5) Rapids | Small Waterfalls | Weirs:
Look for pools above or below rapids, weirs or small waterfalls where the water collects or pours into, creating deeper pools in the river. Again, these pools require the fish to expend less energy than they would in the fast moving current and give them opportunities to catch and eat food that comes to them.
Test your new bass fishing gear in all sorts of different situations. As a bass fishing beginner, you’ll want to focus your efforts on these types of areas on the river. Hopefully some of these fishing tips will help to get you well on your way to landing fish after fish.
Places to target when lure fishing on rivers:
1) Cover:
Cover is anything that is not part of the river contours. Things like submerged tree trunks or stumps, large rocks, boat docks, overhanging trees, weeds and reeds are all likely sources of cover for the predatory bass. As a predator, the bass uses cover for different purposes. Bass (both largemouth and smallmouth) love using cover as ambush points. These places of cover give the bass plenty of protection from other predators as well as good vantage points for food. A large rock in the middle of the current provides the fish with a calm spot behind the rock (on the downstream side) as the rock forces the current to flow around it. This calm area enables the bass to lurk without working too hard to swim against the current and to pick and choose food that flows past.
2) Current:
Look for the main flow of the river. This is where the current is flowing the fastest and will mean that the fish will expend much of its energy to swim in this current. Just off of the main current you can usually find calm spots that are ideal holding areas for bass. Also small bends in the river will change the direction of the current flow and create calm areas. Largemouth Bass will usually use the calmest spot (less energy) and face upstream to be able to see food that is brought down to it.
3) Overhanging Trees:
Overhanging trees provide shady areas along the banks of the river, and sometimes hold bass that take refuge in these areas. Trees sometimes provide fish with titbits that might fall out of the branches (bugs, larvae, sometimes even baby birds) and so sometimes are very productive areas to fish.
4) Bridges:
If there are any bridges that cross the river at any point these might provide awesome places to fish for trophy bass. As mentioned before, bass love the shade provided by bridges and use these as prime holding areas. Bridge supports (in the water) disturb the water's flow and provide calmer spots.
5) Rapids | Small Waterfalls | Weirs:
Look for pools above or below rapids, weirs or small waterfalls where the water collects or pours into, creating deeper pools in the river. Again, these pools require the fish to expend less energy than they would in the fast moving current and give them opportunities to catch and eat food that comes to them.
Test your new bass fishing gear in all sorts of different situations. As a bass fishing beginner, you’ll want to focus your efforts on these types of areas on the river. Hopefully some of these fishing tips will help to get you well on your way to landing fish after fish.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)