The Art of the Lure

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If there’s one piece of fishing gear that holds mystical properties in the hearts and minds of anglers, it’s the lure. Most enthusiasts have a favorite. It may have its own place of honor in the tackle box, or it may remain a secret and be carefully hidden away from prying eyes. Rumor has it that some anglers spit on them for good luck.

Rules abound for their use, like: “Use light on dark days and dark on light days.” There are spoons, spinners and buzzbaits, tubes and cranks, jitterbugs and streamers, jigs, trolling lures and a million types of flies. It’s a lot to keep track of, and the variety boggles the mind.

It’s understood that at their basic level, lures are deceptions meant to replace live bait, which is hard to gather and often expires prematurely, or it’s used up before the day’s work is done, or it simply begins to smell bad when left in a cooler. Myths abound, but it’s no surprise that what you put on the end of your fishing line will have a big impact on the success of your fishing endeavor.

Over the years, anglers have experimented with what works and what doesn’t; however, there is no perfect lure that works every time. Part of what makes the fishing experience so alluring is adapting the tactics to overcome a challenge. Swapping stories with another angler who has experience catching the type of fish you’re after is perhaps the best way to learn about the best lure for your application.

Obviously, unlike natural bait such as worms and minnows, artificial fishing lures can be used over and over again to catch multiple fish. They’re designed to do one of two things (or both): Imitate smaller fish, insects, larvae and other creatures that fish eat in the wild; or attract fish with color, movement and/or reflective elements. Most fishing lures are designed to target a specific fish species or a group of similar fish species. Tackle manufacturers routinely provide information on the types of fish their lures are designed to target.

“Fish are food driven,” said Robert Erickson, an experienced local sport fisherman. “Give them what they want to eat. If it’s shiny, sparkles, spins, looks wounded, or makes noise, the fish will probably be attracted to it.”

Anglers have long known that fish are often smarter than they’re given credit for. In a recent study, biologist Culum Brown found that, “Fish perception and cognitive abilities often match or exceed other vertebrates.” It turns out, they don’t have five-second memories, it’s more like a year or longer. The rest of us probably haven’t given the lures used to catch these clever creatures their due. In fact, the best lures are really works of inventiveness, science, utility and even art.

SOME ALLURING FAVORITES (according to sierra.com):

Spoon Lure — Although the simple spoon lure is one of the oldest types of fishing lure, it can still be a very reliable choice. A typical spoon lure consists of an oblong piece of metal with a treble hook (three-prong hook) at one end and a grommet or loop at the other. Many spoons have a colorful pattern applied to one side and a reflective, metallic surface on the other side. Some are reflective on both sides. The shape of a spoon causes the lure to wobble as it’s pulled through the water. This movement tempts predatory fish to strike.

Spinnerbait — Spinnerbait refers to a type of fishing lure that has one or more oval-shaped spinner blades, which are usually made of thin metal. The oval blades spin like propellers as the lure is pulled through the water, attracting fish with movement. The blades of most spinnerbait lures also have a reflective coating that helps catch the light, making the lure even more attractive to hungry fish. This design essentially imitates the appearance of swimming bait fish like minnows. Spinnerbait lures are ideal for targeting predatory species like bass and pike. Spinnerbaits come in a wide range of styles, sizes and colors and most anglers keep several options on hand.

Buzzbait — Designed to churn through the water like an egg beater, buzzbait lures are tools used by bass fishers to coax the really big ones out from cover. The primary characteristic that separates this lure from others is its ability to create vibrations as it’s pulled through the water; this attracts fish that may be unable to see the lure at first glance. Combined with movement and color, these “buzzer lures” are ideal for targeting bass in shallow water and tempting them out from thick cover, according to experts. Also, they say that buzzbait is ideal for night fishing.

Crankbait — When it comes to imitating bait fish, few other lures can match the crankbait, fans say. Available in a vast array of sizes and colors, this style of lure most often has two treble hooks pre-attached and a bill-shaped protrusion up front, although some designs are “lipless.” Bass in particular tend to find this type of lure very attractive. The size of the “bill” or “lip” on the front of the lure is what determines how deep the lure will dive. Experts say that lipless crankbaits are ideal for winter fishing when both predatory fish and their prey are less active due to cold water temperatures.

Jitterbug — The jitterbug lure is a classic topwater lure popular among bass anglers. It’s also well-known for its effectiveness for night fishing. A jitterbug has two cupped lips that create a side to side motion and a slight gurgling sound that is attractive to fish and helps the bait mimic actual jointed insects.

Jigs — Jigs are a specialized type of fishing lure designed for “ jigging,” using a jerky, vertical motion to attract predator fish. Fishing with jigs is widely considered to be a highly effective method for catching bass and other large, freshwater fish that respond well to the erratic behavior of bait. There are several jig varieties, including swimming jigs, football jigs and flipping jigs; each requires a slightly different technique to use effectively.

Trolling Lures — As the name implies, these lures are ideally suited for trolling, a method of fishing where one or more lines are drawn through the water, either behind a moving boat or by slowly winding the line in from a static position, or even sweeping the line from side to side. Although just about any lure or baited hook can be used for trolling, these lures are specifically designed for the purpose. Large trolling lures are frequently used for targeting medium-depth fish on the open ocean.

Fly Fishing Lures — These lures have been around for centuries, ever since the first angler whipped a line back and forth to catch dinner. With a combination of experience, art and science, fly fishers have tied their own special lures, and volumes have been written about them. Although the lures are called flies, but they’re actually representations of everything fish eat, from crayfish to minnows, to aquatic bugs, larvae and mayflies.

There’s a fish for every style of angler and there’s a lure for every kind of fish. Around the region this summer, they’re biting from the bay to the rivers, creeks, streams and ponds. Cobia, Red Drum, Rockfish, Trout, Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Flounder, Croaker, Spot, Brim, Perch, Bass and Crappie are just some of the possibilities. Consult an expert, grab a rod and choose your lures. Head for a favorite spot — go solo, with your family or a friend; perhaps try a charter excursion. There’s nothing like the open water to wash your cares away, especially when it’s accompanied by the sound of “fish on!”