Fishing Lure Hierarchy and Guide
This guide sorts the main types of fishing lures by how they're fished: crankbaits (square bill, wake bait, shallow, medium and deep divers), lipless crankbaits, jerkbaits, glide baits and topwater baits, plus the four lure color families most anglers rely on.
In short: use crankbaits to cover water at a set depth, lipless crankbaits to find active fish fast, jerkbaits for a twitch-and-pause presentation, glide baits for big bass, and topwater baits in calm water at morning and evening.
Lures at a glance
| Lure | Depth | Best for | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square bill crankbait | 1–3 ft | Heavy cover, wood, rock, shallow flats | Any time fish are shallow |
| Wake bait | Surface to just under | Imitating cruising baitfish | Calm water, low light |
| Shallow diving crankbait | 1–2 ft | Shallow feeding zones | Summer mornings |
| Medium diving crankbait | 3–5 ft | Covering mid-depth water | Spring, fall, summer mid-morning |
| Deep diving crankbait | 7–10 ft | Fish holding deep | Cold months, hot mid-day |
| Lipless crankbait | Sinks to any depth | Covering water fast to find active fish | When fish feed aggressively |
| Jerkbait | Surface, suspending or deep-diving | Imitating an injured baitfish | Longer pauses in cold water |
| Glide bait | Varies | Big, predatory bass | Trophy hunting |
| Topwater (chugger, walking, prop) | Surface | Visual surface strikes | Calm water, morning and evening |
1. Crankbaits
Purpose: Mimic baitfish or crawdads; ideal for covering water and triggering reaction strikes.
Square Bill
- Depth
- Shallow (1–3 ft)
- Best use
- Heavy cover, wood, rock, or shallow flats.
- Behavior
- Deflects off structure to trigger bites.
Wake Bait
- Depth
- Surface to just under
- Best use
- Calm water or low-light periods.
- Behavior
- Creates a surface "V" wake; imitates cruising baitfish.
Shallow Diver
- Depth
- 1–2 ft
- Best season
- Summer mornings or shallow feeding zones.
Medium Diver
- Depth
- 3–5 ft
- Best season
- Spring, fall, or mid-morning in summer.
Deep Diver
- Depth
- 7–10 ft (hard to exceed without added weight)
- Best season
- Cold months, or hot mid-day when fish move deep.
Notes
- Fluorocarbon line sinks and helps baits reach greater depth; monofilament floats.
- Color choice depends on light, water clarity and forage: brighter colors for stained water, natural colors for clear water.
2. Lipless Crankbaits
Purpose: Fast-retrieving reaction baits that excel at locating active fish.
- No diving bill; sinks on its own.
- Great for covering water and searching.
- Best when fish are feeding aggressively.
- Produces strong vibration and rattle to attract attention.
3. Jerkbaits
Purpose: Mimic an injured baitfish darting and pausing to trigger strikes.
Types: surface (floating), suspending, and deep-diving.
How to fish: twitch sharply, about 1 ft per jerk, then pause. The twitch imitates a fleeing baitfish and the pause a wounded one.
Tip: match the shad or local bait color, and use longer pauses in cold water.
4. Glide Baits
Purpose: Realistic swimming motion that appeals to large predatory bass.
- Large profile, 4–8 inches.
- Glides side to side in a natural motion.
- Popular for trophy hunting; premium models can cost hundreds of dollars.
5. Topwater Baits
Purpose: Surface strikes: an exciting, visual style of fishing.
- Chuggers: make a "pop" or "chug" noise to imitate surface feeding.
- Darting minnows: slash and walk-the-dog side to side.
- Prop baits (formerly "Whopper Stopper" style): a propeller creates surface turbulence and sound. Best in calm water or morning and evening conditions; draws reaction strikes from aggressive fish.
Standard Lure Colors
While there are many variations, most anglers keep 3–4 proven color families:
| Color family | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Natural shad / silver | Clear water, bright conditions |
| Chartreuse / white | Stained water or cloudy days |
| Crawfish / red | Cooler months and rocky bottoms |
| Black / blue | Low light or muddy water |
Lure FAQ
What's the difference between a crankbait and a lipless crankbait?
A crankbait has a diving bill that sets how deep it runs, from square bills at 1–3 ft to deep divers at 7–10 ft. A lipless crankbait has no bill and sinks on its own; it's a fast-retrieving reaction bait with strong vibration and rattle, best for covering water to find active fish.
How deep does a deep-diving crankbait go?
Usually 7–10 ft, and it's hard to go deeper without added weight. Fluorocarbon line sinks and helps the bait reach greater depth; monofilament floats.
How do you fish a jerkbait?
Twitch it sharply, about 1 ft per jerk, then pause. Match the shad or local bait color, and use longer pauses in cold water.
What lure color should I use in muddy or stained water?
Black / blue for low light or muddy water, and chartreuse / white for stained water or cloudy days. In clear, bright water, natural shad or silver works best.
When is topwater fishing best?
In calm water and during morning and evening low light. Chuggers, walking baits and prop baits all draw surface strikes.
Where can I buy hand-painted fishing lures?
JR Lures are hand-painted in Henrietta, Texas by Jeff Pierce. They're sold at Clay Co Depot, 421 US Highway 287 in Henrietta, and online at claycodepot.com.