Different Types of Fishing Lures: A Bargain Angler’s Guide to 6 Main Categories

By Ethan Brooks

Updated November 2026

Knowing the different types of fishing lures is the fastest way to stop guessing at the tackle store and start matching your gear to the fish you actually want to catch. Most lures fall into a handful of families: hard-bodied swimmers, spinners, spoons, jigs, soft plastics and topwater baits. By the end of this guide you will know how each family works, which water and species it suits, and how to build a small, affordable selection that covers most situations.

Why Lure Type Matters More Than Lure Color

Anglers spend a lot of energy debating colors, but the design of a lure controls how it moves, how deep it runs and what sound or vibration it sends. A fish reacts to the action it sees before it considers the paint job. When you pick a lure type, you are really picking a way of presenting bait: fast or slow, shallow or deep, near the surface or on the bottom. Getting that choice right saves more fish than any color chart.

Shopping for one? See our guide: 5 Best Bass Assassin Fishing Lures of 2026: Picks Compared.

The Six Main Families of Fishing Lures

1. Crankbaits (Hard-Bodied Diving Lures)

Crankbaits are molded plastic or wood bodies with a plastic lip that makes them dive when reeled. The lip length and angle determine the running depth. Shallow-diving models with short lips usually run 1 to 5 feet, while deep divers with long lips can reach 15 feet or more on a steady retrieve. Manufacturers typically list the target depth on the package, which is worth checking before you buy.

Crankbaits are a strong choice for covering water quickly. Cast them, reel steadily, and bump the lip off cover such as rocks, stumps or weed edges. Largemouth and smallmouth bass respond well to them, and many anglers use crankbaits for trolling walleye and crappie.

2. Spinnerbaits and Inline Spinners

Spinnerbaits have a wire frame, one or two spinning blades and a jig head, usually with a skirt. Inline spinners have a central shaft with a blade that rotates around it. Both produce flash and vibration in the water, and both are easy to fish. A slow steady retrieve works in most conditions, and adding a pause or a twitch can trigger strikes from wary fish. Blade shape matters: Colorado blades give more thump at slow speeds, while Willow blades produce more flash and suit faster retrieves. If you want to change blades, the process is simple and covered in our article on Spinner Blades for Fishing Lures: How to Choose and Swap Them (Step-by-Step).

3. Spoons

Spoons are curved metal lures that flutter and flash on the fall and during the retrieve. They are versatile. Cast a spoon and let it sink on a slack line, then lift the rod tip and let it flutter back down. Trout, pike, walleye and many saltwater species all eat spoons. Light spoons under about 1/4 ounce suit small streams and trout, while heavier spoons of 1/2 ounce or more cover bigger reservoirs and open water.

4. Jigs

A jig is a lead head with a hook molded into it, usually dressed with a skirt, a grub or a trailer. Jigs are a bottom-oriented lure. Hop them along the lake floor, drag them over rocks, or swim them through grass. Head weight is the main control: 1/8 ounce for shallow, light fishing, 3/8 ounce or heavier for deep water or current. Jigs catch bass, crappie, walleye and catfish, and they are among the most efficient lures per dollar spent because one jig head can be paired with many trailers.

5. Soft Plastics

Soft plastics include worms, creature baits, swimbaits, craws and grubs. They are rigged on a hook in several ways: Texas rig, Carolina rig, wacky rig or on a jig head. The soft material gives a natural action and lets fish hold the bait longer, which is useful when fish are finicky. Our full overview, Soft Plastic Fishing Lures Explained, covers the main rigs in more detail.

6. Topwater Lures

Topwater lures float or sit on the surface and create noise, splashes or a walking motion. Popper, walking-style and prop baits are common examples. They are most effective in low light, early morning and evening, and during summer surface feeding. Fish often strike with force, so a firm hookset and a sturdy rod help you land them.

Matching Lure Types to Species and Water

No single lure type works everywhere. The table below gives a practical starting point. Use it as a guide rather than a rule, since local conditions and seasonal patterns change results.

How to Build a Starter Selection

You do not need dozens of lures to start. A focused set covers most freshwater situations. Here is a simple checklist:

• One shallow crankbait and one deep-diving crankbait
• Two or three spinnerbaits in different blade styles
• A few spoons in light and medium weights
• Jig heads in 1/8 and 3/8 ounce with a handful of trailers
• Soft plastic worms, creature baits and a pack of hooks
• One or two topwater baits for low-light fishing

Once you know which species you chase most often, add lures that fill gaps. For example, trout anglers may prefer Top 9 Fishing Lures for Rainbow Trout: Expert Picks Compared, while bass anglers may want to explore Top 7 Largemouth Bass Fishing Lures with Strong Value for Every Angler.

Step-by-Step: Choosing a Lure for the Day

1. Identify the target species and the water type, such as a clear lake, a stained pond or a fast river.
2. Check the depth. Look at where fish are holding, using a depth finder if you have one, or cast and count down to find the zone.
3. Pick the lure family that runs at that depth and matches the cover.
4. Choose a size. Smaller lures often work better in cold or clear water, while larger baits draw attention in murky water.
5. Start with a steady retrieve, then vary speed and pauses until you find what fish want.
6. Switch lure types if nothing happens after 20 to 30 casts in one spot.

Tackle Storage and Organization

A lure collection grows quickly, and an organized box saves time on the water. Compartment boxes keep hooks and soft plastics separated, while utility boxes can hold larger crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Our guide to Using Utility Boxes for Fishing Lure and Tackle Storage explains layouts that work well for budget kits.

Common Mistakes

• Buying too many similar lures. Five crankbaits that run the same depth add little variety. Choose lures that cover different depths and actions.
• Ignoring hook sharpness. Dull hooks lose fish. Check points before each trip and replace hooks that catch on your thumbnail poorly.
• Fishing one retrieve speed. Fish often prefer a specific speed. Vary your retrieve rather than repeating the same cast.
• Overlooking line and leader choices. Lure performance depends on line. Heavy line can kill the action of a small lure, and light line may not handle big fish.
• Skipping lure maintenance. Rusted hooks, cracked paint and tangled blades reduce effectiveness. Clean and repair gear after each outing.

Tips for Getting More Value from Your Lures

• Buy a few proven designs rather than many unknown ones, then learn them well.
• Replace split rings and treble hooks with better-quality versions when a lure has already caught fish. The body often outlasts the hardware.
• Keep a log of what worked on each trip. Patterns repeat across seasons.
• Store soft plastics away from direct sun and heat to prevent them from drying out and tearing.

Recommended Gear

These items help you carry and use your lures efficiently.

• Plano compartment tackle box. Adjustable dividers keep spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jigs separated so hooks do not tangle. View on Amazon
• Rapala jig heads and assortment. A variety pack of jig heads lets you test weights and trailers without buying each size separately. View on Amazon
• Berkley Powerbait soft plastic worms. Scented soft plastics are a widely available option for worm rigs and Texas rigs. View on Amazon
• Needle-nose pliers with split-ring tool. Swapping hooks and split rings is easier with a dedicated tool. View on Amazon

FAQ

What are the main types of fishing lures?

The main families are crankbaits, spinnerbaits and inline spinners, spoons, jigs, soft plastics and topwater lures. Each produces a different action and suits different depths and conditions.

Which lure type is best for beginners?

Spinnerbaits, jigs and soft plastics are forgiving because they catch fish across a range of depths with a simple retrieve. Start with those and add others as you learn.

How do I know what depth a crankbait runs?

Check the manufacturer’s listed running depth, which usually depends on lip size and shape. Test it in the water by counting down after the cast and noting when it reaches bottom or cover.

Are soft plastics or hard lures better?

Neither is better in every case. Soft plastics suit finicky or pressured fish, while hard lures excel at covering water and triggering reaction strikes.

What lure size should I use?

Smaller lures often work in cold or clear water, and larger lures help in murky water or when targeting big fish. Match the size to the forage fish in your water when possible.

Do I need different lures for each species?

Not necessarily. Many lures catch several species. Bass, crappie and walleye all respond to jigs, and crankbaits work across multiple species. Specialize only after you know which fish you chase most.

How often should I replace hooks on lures?

Replace hooks when they are dull, bent, rusted or showing damage. Check them before each outing, since a weak hook costs more fish than the price of a replacement.

Conclusion

The different types of fishing lures each solve a different problem, from covering water with crankbaits to working the bottom with jigs. Learn the six main families, match them to your species and water, and build a small selection you know well. A focused kit that you understand will catch more fish than a large box of lures you rarely use.

About Ethan Brooks

Ethan Brooks is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our freshwater fishing tackle on a budget guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.