Walk into any tackle shop and you will see walls of lures in every color, shape, and size. It is easy to spend a fortune on lures that look good but do not catch fish. The truth is, you only need a handful of lure types to cover almost every fishing situation.
Here are the ten essential lures every angler should have in their tackle box, based on decades of combined fishing experience.
1. Crankbaits
Crankbaits are hard plastic lures that imitate baitfish. They have a lip that causes them to dive and wobble as you retrieve them. Crankbaits are one of the most versatile lures available — they catch bass, walleye, pike, and many saltwater species.
Carry crankbaits in two diving depths: shallow (0-5 feet) and medium (5-12 feet). Natural colors like shad, silver, and olive work in clear water. Brighter colors like chartreuse and fire tiger work in stained or muddy water. See our crankbait kits for durable options.
2. Soft Plastic Worms
Soft plastic worms are the most productive bass lure ever invented. They catch bass in every condition, every season, and every type of water. Texas-rigged worms can be fished through thick cover without snagging, making them ideal for bass holding in vegetation or structure.
Green pumpkin is the most versatile color. Carry a few packs in different sizes (4-6 inches for finesse, 6-10 inches for big fish). See our soft plastic worm assortments with vivid colors.
3. Spinnerbaits
Spinnerbaits combine a spinning blade with a skirted jig head. The blade creates flash and vibration that attracts fish from a distance. Spinnerbaits are excellent in stained water, windy conditions, and around cover where other lures would snag.
Carry spinnerbaits in white or chartreuse for stained water, and silver or white with willow blades for clear water. A 3/8 oz weight covers most situations.
4. Topwater Frog Lures
Topwater frogs are soft plastic lures designed to be fished on top of thick vegetation. Their hollow body design allows them to slide over lily pads, algae, and grass without snagging. When a bass explodes through the vegetation to eat a frog, it is one of the most exciting strikes in fishing.
Carry frogs in green, brown, and black colors. See our topwater frog lures designed for heavy vegetation.
5. Trout Spinners
In-line spinners are the quintessential trout lure. The spinning blade creates flash and vibration that triggers aggressive strikes from trout, bass, panfish, and even pike. Spinners are easy to use — just cast and retrieve at a steady speed.
Carry spinners in sizes 0-2 for trout and panfish, sizes 3-5 for bass and larger species. Silver blades work in clear water, gold in stained water. See our metal trout spinners with rust-resistant blades.
6. Jigs
Jigs are simple lures — a weighted head with a hook — but they are incredibly effective. Jigs can be tipped with soft plastic trailers, live bait, or fished bare. They excel at fishing deep structure and vertical presentations.
Carry round head jigs in 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 oz weights. Brown, black, and white are the most productive colors. Pair jigs with soft plastic trailers for bass or live bait for walleye and panfish.
7. Soft Plastic Creature Baits
Creature baits are soft plastic lures that imitate crawfish, lizards, or other forage. Their appendages create movement and vibration that triggers strikes. Creature baits are particularly effective when bass are feeding on crawfish.
Carry creature baits in green pumpkin, black, and watermelon. Rig them Texas-style for fishing cover or on a jig head for open water.
8. Deep Drop Jigs
Deep drop jigs are heavy metal lures designed for vertical jigging in deep water. They sink fast and imitate injured baitfish when jigged up and down. Deep drop jigs are essential for saltwater bottom fishing and deep freshwater applications.
Carry deep drop jigs in 6, 8, and 10 oz weights for different depths. Blue, silver, and glow colors are productive. See our stainless steel deep drop jigs for saltwater fishing.
9. Saltwater Bait Rigs
Pre-rigged bait rigs are essential for saltwater fishing with live or cut bait. These rigs come with hooks, leaders, and sometimes floats or weights pre-attached. They save time on the water and are designed for specific saltwater species.
Carry a variety of rig types for different species and conditions. See our saltwater live bait rigs in multi-packs.
10. Spoon Lures
Spoons are simple metal lures that wobble and flash like a fleeing baitfish. They are one of the oldest lure types and remain effective for trout, bass, pike, walleye, and saltwater species. Spoons cast far and sink fast, making them ideal for covering water quickly.
Carry spoons in silver/gold for flash and copper/orange for stained water. A few in different sizes covers most situations.
Organizing Your Tackle Box
Having the right lures is only half the battle. You also need to organize them effectively. Use a tackle box with clear compartments so you can see your lures at a glance. Group lures by type, not by color, so you can quickly find what you need.
Keep your most-used lures in easily accessible compartments. Store soft plastics in their original bags to prevent color bleeding. Check hooks for sharpness before each trip — dull hooks lose fish. With these ten lure types in your tackle storage, you are ready for almost any fishing situation.
