What Is a Lure?
A lure is a type of bait used for fishing. It’s basically an object, that can come in the form of a fish, designed to attract fish to bite on the hook. An important thing you should know about these objects is that they come in different types and forms, much like the different options of reel available, so by understanding them you will be able to have a successful fishing experience.
Is There a Difference Between Freshwater and Saltwater Lures?
There’s a significant difference between freshwater and lures for saltwater. The difference between these two types lies mainly in the material and its durability, as well as in size and weight.
What Are Saltwater Lures?
Well, saltwater lures are strong, durable and artificial types of fishing baits designed to mimic prey and make fish strike in saltwater environments. They range in type, size, color and material, and some of the most commonly used options are those made from plastic, metal, and wood. As already mentioned above, you can choose from a large selection of types, including the following.
Live
These baits can come in a large selection of types, out of which shrimps, squids and crabs are among the most commonly used. Sardines and herring fish are small types that are mainly used as bait for predatory fish like sharks, tuna and marlin.
Artificial
These lures are made from synthetic materials and are designed to mimic the movement of natural prey. Practice shows that they seem extremely effective at targeting a large selection of saltwater species, which makes them a popular choice among saltwater anglers. The most commonly used ones are the plastic models that come with plugs and jigs for the best results.
Cut
This is just another popular choice used in saltwater fishing. They are basically small pieces, cut from baitfish, proven as quite effective ones since their strong smell seems to immediately attract predatory fish. Out of all types, it seems that the artificial lures are among the most successful for sure, however, choosing the right ones also depends on the water depth, current and more.
Given the fact that saltwater game fish are larger and more powerful, and with different feeding behaviours, you will need to stock yourself with different lure designs. Trolling lures, poppers, spoons, soft plastics, plugs and jigs are some of the most popular from which you can choose. All of them differ in appearance, size, type of material used and purpose, which gives you an opportunity to easily make the right choice.
What Are Freshwater Lures?
Just like the saltwater alternative, these lures are designed to attract and catch freshwater fish species like panfish, bass and trout. When compared to the saltwater baits, these ones are significantly smaller since they are designed for catching smaller fish. Consequently, they are less strong and durable than the ones designed for saltwater.
Live
These lures are mainly used by freshwater anglers for targeting freshwater fish species. The most popular choices of these baits are leeches, earthworms, mealworms and crayfish.
Artificial
As you can assume, the artificial ones are made from materials, mainly hard plastic or soft rubber, and they are designed to mimic natural prey. Even though artificial, they are extremely realistic and can even move in a specific way, as the natural prey moves. Practice shows that they are as effective as the natural ones, so it isn’t strange that fishermen prefer the use of artificial lures for freshwater.
As you can see, both of these lures are different mainly in type, durability, quality and design, so the ones you choose should meet the requirements of the place you’ll be fishing at. The proper bait can make all the difference between a disappointing and a successful experience, so make sure to do all the needed research and find the lures you need.
Choosing the Right Ones
Match the Hatch
First things first, make sure to choose lures that mimic the needed baitfish size, shape, and action in the zone you plan to go fishing.
Water Conditions
While it is crucial to choose saltwater baits for salty water and freshwater baits for freshwater, you should also consider the water’s clarity. For instance, when fishing in murky waters you’ll need lures with brighter colors, and lures with natural colors are perfect for cleaner waters.
Target Species
It’s of vital importance to consult with an expert about what lures to choose for your target if you are new to this.
Season
Make sure to get to know the current feeding habits of your target species in order to have a successful fishing experience.
Availability
While in the past freshwater baits were more readily available than saltwater ones, this has changed. Nowadays, you can easily find the ones you need thanks to the huge competition and huge range of online stores offering quality and string baits.
