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

By Ethan Brooks

Updated November 2026

The main types of lures for fishing fall into a handful of families: hard baits, soft plastics, spinnerbaits and spinners, spoons, jigs, and topwater lures. Each one imitates food in a different way and works best under specific conditions. This guide walks through those six categories, explains when each one earns its place in your box, and shows you how to build a useful starter selection without overspending.

Why Lure Type Matters More Than Lure Color

Many beginners spend hours comparing colors and almost no time thinking about action. The type of lure determines how it moves, how deep it runs, how fast it can be retrieved, and what kind of strike you can expect. A crankbait that dives to 8 feet will never reach a bass holding at 15 feet, no matter how perfect the color. Start with the category, then fine-tune with color and size.

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

The Six Main Types of Lures for Fishing

1. Hard Baits (Crankbaits, Jerkbaits and Minnows)

Hard baits are molded from plastic or wood and usually have a built-in lip that controls depth. Crankbaits are built to be reeled steadily and run at a set depth, often marked on the package as “dives to 5 to 7 feet.” Jerkbaits, sometimes called suspending minnows, are worked with a sweeping rod motion and pause, and they excel in cold water. Hard baits are a good choice when you need to cover water quickly and locate fish that are feeding actively.

• Best for: bass in rocky or weedy shorelines, trout in streams, walleye on structure.
• Typical retrieve: steady reel for crankbaits; twitch-pause for jerkbaits.
• Watch for: snags on wood and rock. Carry extra lures because lip contact breaks them off.

2. Soft Plastics (Worms, Grubs, Creature Baits and Swimbaits)

Soft plastics are the most versatile category in most tackle boxes. A 6-inch worm rigged Texas-style can be dragged across bottom, hopped off cover, or fished with a slow shake. Grubs and creature baits add bulk and profile, while paddle-tail swimbaits imitate baitfish when reeled steadily. Because they are cheap to replace and easy to rig, soft plastics are where most budget anglers should start.

• Best for: largemouth bass, smallmouth, panfish, and trout with small versions.
• Typical retrieve: slow drag, hop, or shake depending on rig.
• Watch for: soft bodies tear after several fish. Replace them before they lose shape.

3. Spinnerbaits and Inline Spinners

Spinnerbaits use a wire frame with one or two blades that spin and flash as the lure moves. Inline spinners, such as small in-line blade lures, use a single blade spinning on a shaft. Both produce vibration and flash that trigger reaction strikes, especially in stained or murky water where fish rely on sound and movement.

• Best for: bass in stained water, pike, and trout in streams (small inline spinners).
• Typical retrieve: steady to medium speed, with blades just breaking the surface when fishing shallow.
• Watch for: blade fouling with weeds. Check that blades spin freely after every cast.

4. Spoons

Spoons are curved metal lures that flutter and wobble when pulled through the water. They are a staple for trout, salmon, and walleye, and they work well on deep, open water where fish are suspended. Because they cast a long way and sink quickly, they are efficient when you need to reach a specific depth.

• Best for: trout in lakes, salmon, walleye, and pike.
• Typical retrieve: vary speed; a twitch and fall often triggers strikes.
• Watch for: treble hooks can tangle. Use a split ring and check hook sharpness regularly.

5. Jigs

A jig is a weighted hook with a head, often dressed with a skirt, hair, or a soft plastic trailer. Jigs are dragged or hopped along the bottom, and they excel around cover such as docks, stumps, and rock piles. Bass, walleye, and panfish all respond well to them.

• Best for: bass around cover, walleye on rock, crappie and bluegill with small jigs.
• Typical retrieve: hop along bottom and pause; feel for the bite on the fall.
• Watch for: snagging. Use a weed guard in heavy cover.

6. Topwater Lures

Topwater lures float or sit on the surface and are worked to create a splash, popping sound, or walking motion. They are most productive in the early morning and evening, and during summer when fish feed on surface prey. Poppers, walking baits, and buzzbaits are the most common styles.

• Best for: largemouth bass in shallow cover, pike, and topwater-feeding panfish.
• Typical retrieve: pop and pause, walk side to side, or steady buzz.
• Watch for: missed strikes are common. Keep your rod tip low and let the fish turn before setting the hook.

Quick Reference: Matching Lure Types to Target Species

How to Build a Starter Lure Selection

A focused box beats a crowded one. Most anglers can cover a wide range of conditions with a short list of lures. Here is a practical starting point:

1. Pick one soft plastic in a natural color, such as a green pumpkin worm, plus a few hooks and sinkers.
2. Add one jig in a neutral color, about 1/4 to 3/8 ounce for most freshwater situations.
3. Include one crankbait that runs 4 to 6 feet deep and one that runs 8 to 10 feet.
4. Carry one spinnerbait in white or chartreuse for stained water.
5. Add a topwater popper for early and late-day fishing.
6. Round out with a spoon if you fish trout or walleye lakes.

Common Mistakes

• Buying by color instead of action. A lure that runs at the wrong depth or speed for your conditions rarely succeeds regardless of color.
• Ignoring hook quality. Dull or weak hooks cost more fish than most anglers realize. Sharpen or replace hooks regularly.
• Overbuying one type. Owning twenty crankbaits and no jigs leaves you stuck when the fish move to cover.
• Fishing too fast. Many strikes come on slow retrieves and pauses. Slow down before you change lures.
• Skipping the match. Check what baitfish or insects are present and choose a lure that roughly matches their size and shape.

Tips for Getting More From Each Lure Type

• Use a fluorocarbon leader on crankbaits and jerkbaits for less visibility and better bite detection.
• Keep a small notebook of what worked by month, depth and water clarity. Patterns repeat across seasons.
• Store soft plastics in sealed bags or containers out of direct sun, which dries and degrades them.
• For a deeper look at storage, see Using Utility Boxes for Fishing Lure and Tackle Storage.

Recommended Gear

• Plano 3600 Series Tackle Box: Compartment trays keep hard baits separated so they don’t rub and chip against each other. View on Amazon
• Strike King Jig Heads: Interchangeable jig heads let you change weight and hook size as depth and cover change. View on Amazon
• Berkley PowerBait Power Worms: A soft plastic worm with a consistent shape that works in a range of rigs. View on Amazon
• Rapala Original Floating Minnow: A classic hard bait that gives you a reliable baseline for crankbait-style fishing. View on Amazon

FAQ

What are the main types of lures for fishing?

The six main categories are hard baits, soft plastics, spinnerbaits and spinners, spoons, jigs, and topwater lures. Each family imitates prey in a different way and suits different depths and conditions.

What is the best lure type for beginners?

Soft plastics and jigs are usually the easiest to learn. They are inexpensive, versatile, and effective across many species and water types.

Do I need different lures for different species?

Not always. Bass, walleye, and panfish all respond to jigs and soft plastics, but trout often prefer spoons and small spinners. Match lure size to the size of the fish you expect to catch.

How deep does a crankbait run?

Most crankbaits list a running depth on the packaging, often ranging from about 2 feet for shallow models to 12 feet or more for deep divers. Check the label before you buy and match it to the depth where fish are holding.

When should I use topwater lures?

Topwater works best in low light, such as early morning and evening, and during warm months when fish feed near the surface. It is less productive in bright midday sun or in very cold water.

Are soft plastics better than hard baits?

Neither is better in every situation. Soft plastics offer lifelike feel and are very versatile, while hard baits cover water faster and produce strong reaction strikes. Most experienced anglers carry both.

How many lures should I carry?

A focused selection of 10 to 15 lures across the main types is enough for most trips. Add more only when you have a clear reason, such as a specific species or season.

Conclusion

Understanding the main types of lures for fishing gives you a framework for every decision on the water. Start with the category that matches your target species and conditions, then refine by depth, speed, and color. A small, well-chosen selection of hard baits, soft plastics, jigs, and one or two specialty lures will cover most situations without filling your budget.

Related reading

• Different Types of Fishing Lures: A Bargain Angler's Guide to 6 Main Categories
• Z Man Fishing Lures: How to Choose and Fish Them for Bass

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.