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Fishing Lures have been used for centuries (possibly as long ago as 2000 BC) to attract unsuspecting fish to take a bite . . . come on little fishy, it tastes sooooo gooooood, just take a little nibble, and . . . . gotcha!

Fishing lures are not, however, food, they’re objects which are generally attached onto the end of the fishing line to resemble and move like lunch . . . lunch for fishes. Fishing lures cleverly imitate the movement, color and vibration needed to catch the attention of a passing fish so that it is encouraged to bite onto the fishing hook. Sometimes these fishing lures actually have two hooks, or even three . . . it all seems to be stacked firmly in the fishing lures favor to me, but they are quite pretty aren’t they (eyes right to the photo).

When a fishing lure is used it’s generally attached to the end of the fishing line which is cast using a fishing rod and reel. This type of fishing is actually quite labor intensive (much more than the old piece of string dangling from the big toe technique anyway), because the fishing lure needs to be continually cast and then retrieved so that the fishing lure actually looks like it’s swimming. Really clever anglers can place their fishing lures exactly where they want ‘em to attract all of the fish, even the ones hiding under logs.

Attaching Fishing Lures To The Fishing Line

Fishing lures can either be tied onto the fishing line (using something like an improved clinch knot) or fastened with a small device (it’s a bit like a safety pin) called a swivel. You can make the fishing lure move by winding the fishing line in on the reel, sweeping and jigging your fishing rod, or by pulling your fishing line along using a boat (this type of fishing is known as trolling). Some types of fish prefer to eat flies, and guess what, there are fishing lures specifically designed for them which either float on the waters surface or slowly sink to look like regular fish food. Tricky little devils these fisherman you know, but then again, fish are pretty wily themselves and often take a lot of persuading . . . or “luring” before they will take the bait.

It’s as easy as that!

Different Types of Fishing Lures

There are lots of different types of fishing lures, manufactured in many different ways and mostly designed to resemble the prey for a particular fish. Some, however, are not designed to look like tasty morsels but instead appeal more to the fishes sense of territory causing either aggression or even simple curiosity. Generally though, fishing lures are designed to resemble injured, dying or quick swimming fish. Some of the different types of fishing lures include;

• Surface fishing lures – float around and look like the prey which would be naturally floating around on top of the water. Very often the only motion which is provided is by the skillful handling of the fisherman, but surface lures can be very effective in the right hands.
• Spoon fishing lures – resemble the inside of a spoon, flashing in the light whilst darting and wobbling . . . attracting inquisitive fish.
• Plug fishing lures – have a fish like body and are run through the water making lots of different movements. They’re also known as minnows or crankbaits.
• Artificial flies – can resemble lots of different types of fish prey . . . . used for fly fishing with a fly rod and reel.
• Spinner bait - are designed to spin . . . well, parts of it are anyway. These types of fishing lure are bent pieces of wire at around 60 degrees which have a hook attached to the lower end and a spinning mechanism flashing at the upper end.
• Swimbait fishing lures – are designed to resemble swimming bait (clever name that isn’t it). The developments in the finish of many plastic swimbait lures make many of these modern fishing lures extremely life like.

Fishing lures are made in many weird and wonderful designs, and manufactured from many weird and wonderful things (and some normal things too). Fishing lures can be made from plastic, wood, cork, metal, animal hair, feathers, tinsel, string . . . go on, use your imagination.

He’s certainly good at making his own fishing lures . . . why not try your hand at it yourself?

Wowee, that looks life like, it swims just like a real fish!