Even if you’ve bought a top-of-the-line saltwater fishing rod, tackle and reel from a reputable brand like Eat My Tackle, you still need the right fishing lure to complete your equipment. With so many options to choose from, here’s an overview for beginner anglers to help you find the right lure.
For saltwater fishing, here are your options:
- Live bait. Nothing beats a real live fish in the water to attract game fish. But the problem is that you need to make sure that your bait remains “alive and kicking” the whole time. Once you’re there, you’ll need to insert a light hook through the lip or eye to help the fish swim for a longer period of time.
- Cut bait. If live bait isn’t a viable option, small dead fish are the next best thing. Your success with cut bait depends a lot on the quality of your raw fish, which may not be easy to maintain for your entire fishing trip. You’ll need lots of ice to keep your raw fish fresh. With cut bait, it should be just big enough to hide the hook. Otherwise, your targets may just nibble on the edges of the bait.
- Jigs. These things are often used for bottom feeders. The jig is a heavy lead top with a hook attached to it, which moves vertically like some types of ocean organisms which game fish feed on.
- Spinnerbaits. These are different from jigs because they move horizontally through the water. This type of lure is ideal for inshore fishing. Spinnerbaits copy the movements of certain small fish that game fish feed on. Some types even offer more flutter because they have a plastic skirt.
- Flexible plastic lures. Since they’re made of plastic, they can come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, and they can have different colors too. The softness and flexibility of these lures can really be made to look like live bait. Its movement will be determined by how heavy it is.
- Spoon lures. These are metal lures with an oval shape, which explains how it got its name. It’s curved so that the movement it makes in the water appears wobbly. To boost this effect, sometimes one end of a spoon lure is wider than the other end.
The trolling variety is thinner and lighter, while the casting spoon lure is heavier. Both types may be bought in different colors.
- Plug lures. Some lures made of plastic or wood are called plugs. You don’t need to master a difficult technique to use these plugs, which makes them perfect for beginners. When you reel these lures in steadily, they look like fish that your game fish likes to feed on. Some models even have light effects and sound effects to make them look realistic. The body of the plug lure contains the hook, and you can use it as is or you can add bait to it.
If you’re a newbie at this, then at least now you have a better idea of what kind of bait or fishing lure you need for your saltwater equipment.