Artificial lures have been used for fishing since 2000 BC. They are made in different materials, colors, sizes and styles, and are used to attract fish and persuade them to bite the hook to which they are attached. If you want to learn how to fish with lures you have to learn the most common techniques and how to use them to catch fish.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Lures
Step 1. Get different varieties of lures to experiment
The main purpose of fishing with an artificial bait is to best imitate the movement of the fish's natural prey. Consequently, there is a huge variety of materials, colors and shapes, each suitable for a particular scenario or fish. There is no "best" combination to use, so it's best to take several and see which one works best with the fish you want to catch.
The type and size of a lure is generally determined by the species of fish it is hunting. Although there is no set rule for the various lures, the idea is to match one as best as possible to a fish's natural prey. For example, a sea bass usually feeds on small shrimp, making it less likely to go and bite on a fish-shaped bait
Step 2. Test the teaspoon
It is a type of bait that looks like a teaspoon but without a handle. This shape causes the bait to sway in the water as it sinks, creating the illusion of an injured fish. The red devil, a red and white spoon, is well known. The red streaks resemble blood.
Step 3. Test the jigs
Jigs are probably the most used lures in both fresh and salt water. They consist of a head with weights and a tail made of feathers or plastic used to hide the hook. Often a piece of live bait is attached to the hook to make it more palatable, even if it is not really necessary.
Step 4. Try a crank lure
It is one of the most recognizable, usually made of plastic or wood and used mostly for sea bass. It often has a beak on the front that looks like a duck. Generally the beak allows it to sink to a predefined depth allowing fishermen to work on a column inside the water. Many cranks also come with rattles and several hooks.
Step 5. Try spinning lures
The spinner is a type of jib with a blade that turns, pulling the bait through the water. Spinners and spoons are usually made of metal and spin or swing in the water like a real fish, with the spinner being a kind of hybrid between the crank and the spoon. Often these baits have a single large hook covered by a material and a blade that moves in the water when the bait is retrieved. These generate a noise causing the fish to bite.
Step 6. Try a plug
The plugs are made of wood or plastic and work in many ways: along the surface of the water, at half depth, or by towing along the bottom. This is a versatile and very useful bait variety to add to any fisherman's collection.
Part 2 of 3: Learn Fishing Techniques
Step 1. Walking the dog
One of the most useful and effective techniques is called "Walking the dog", because it recalls the type of wrist movement you make when walking the dog. For this technique, a surface lure with a weight attached to the tail is used.
- Throw the lure and point the rod towards the water at a 45 degree angle. Move the tip of the barrel down at a 90 degree angle making a jerking motion. Rotate the reel one turn for each shot.
- Move the rod slowly first and then gradually increase the speed to copy the movement of a fish swimming away.
Step 2. Use a bait to simulate the behavior of the bait fish
Imitation is one of the most advanced techniques to be used among the most experienced fishermen. It is a subtle and sophisticated way of catching fish that requires the use of two pop or plug lures for greater effectiveness.
Tie one bait after another with a single thread and throw them away. Move the tip of the rod in a jerky motion, varying the speed in various directions trying to mimic the behavior of live fish. Use your wrist to keep the line relatively taut, jerking the lure and varying the movements
Step 3. Learn the deadstick
Use a surface bait to mimic the behaviors of an injured or vulnerable prey. If the fish are hesitant, you can get a cautious fish to bite with this technique.
- Once you have thrown the bait, leave it still in the water until the ripples have disappeared, pause and count to 10 before starting to move.
- Move the tip of the rod making the bait move on the spot very gently, then stay still for another short period. Repeat the short movement of the tip of the rod, moving the bait. The movements should feel erratic and restless, but easy to catch.
Step 4. Learn to fish deep
Use a crank or a plug to learn how to cast the lure deep into the water to fish in areas where the biggest fish are usually found.
Throw the bait and leave it still until the line begins to sink. Do nothing for a few seconds, then start moving the bait under the surface giving small recovery turns and then make it sink again
Step 5. Learn to stand on the surface
Use a surface lure and make it jump on the water to imitate the movement of a flying insect or other prey. This can be especially useful for catching sunfish and other shallow-water freshwater fish.
After casting the lure, keep the line still until the ripples in the water go away, then move the rod towards the surface of the water. It makes a large movement either slowly or quickly, depending on the behavior of the fish
Step 6. Try the trolling technique
Nothing could be easier on a lazy day of fishing than to tow a spoon lure, a plug or a spinner behind your boat. It is also extremely effective: it mimics the behavior of a traveling fish that covers a large territory.
All you have to do is throw the lure behind a moving boat and slowly let go of the line as you move. Generally the engine has to run very slowly
Part 3 of 3: Fish like a Pro
Step 1. Don't overdo it
Fishing is a bit like chess, a game of calm and relaxed movements, no nervous jerks are needed. Most beginners pull the line too hard. It is important to pull up very slowly, with calm and gentle movements. If you're not catching anything, slow down and be kinder to the joint.
If you catch something right away, stop the reel and very slowly move the bait left and right until the float goes under the water. As soon as it does, give it a strong tug. This is because when the fish bites the pull it will hook the fish to the hook and you can retrieve it
Step 2. Match the color to the water
Using a lure of the "right" color is usually determined by the clarity of the water. Cloudy water and sunset or nocturnal hours require brightly colored baits, more easily visible by fishermen and fish; under these conditions white and red baits are common. Crystal clear waters require more natural and changing colors, such as brown, blue, black and green.
Step 3. Do not always throw the hook in the same area
When fishing with lures it is important to move around and avoid always being in the same area. The fish are not as stupid as you think, they will begin to recognize the bait and make it less effective. If you find yourself having a bait spat out, it's time to change the area.
Search the entire body of water and at various depths until you find the fish. Use the lure at different speeds and change the type of action
Step 4. Keep your bait clean
When you fish and retrieve the bait, take some time to check its condition, and clean it if necessary. Under certain fishing conditions, the lures can catch algae, branches and other debris, which makes them less effective at attracting fish and makes them look less real. Make sure they are clean before throwing them back into the water.
Step 5. Learn to take care of your baits
When not in use it is important to keep the bait dry to prevent rust from forming on the hooks. Rusty hooks should be replaced as soon as possible because they weaken and can break. You can buy replacement hooks at any fishing shop.
