Why They Eat Lures

Chasing game fish with artificial lures is a science—okay, maybe an art. Alright, let’s be honest: it’s often frustrating. Fishermen exhibit a natural proclivity toward escalation in the pursuit of fishing. In the beginning, an angler simply wants to catch fish. Any fish will do.

Once the fundamentals are learned, the second stage of the disorder sets in: the desire to catch only a particular species. This stage can last a short time or an entire lifetime, depending on the angler.

The final stage is an all-encompassing obsession—not only with catching a specific species, but with catching that species using a particular presentation. This is the stage that can lead to financial ruin, though the second stage is certainly capable of the same outcome. Whether one fishes with conventional tackle or on the fly, this escalation is nearly universal.

With that in mind, today’s discussion focuses on the pursuit of fish using artificial lures.

The fishing world is flooded with doodads and lures colored so wildly they could make a rainbow blush. The options are endless, and without a system, choosing the right lure can feel overwhelming.

When confronted with so many variables, the angler must first determine where the fish are being targeted and what type of cover they inhabit. A slow-moving, muddy river and a gin-clear mountain lake represent opposite ends of the spectrum, yet both contain a wide variety of forage opportunities. To intercept fish and convince them to strike an artificial, the presentation must closely resemble what those fish are naturally feeding on—invertebrates, minnows, amphibians, terrestrial insects, and more.

The fundamental questions are simple: What do you want to catch? Where does it live? What is it eating? Once the target species and its forage base are understood, lure selection becomes far more deliberate. Aquatic vegetation, submerged wood, rock, and man-made structures each present unique challenges. Some lures excel in heavy cover, while others shine in open water where snags are less of a concern.

With this groundwork established, how does one choose the most effective lure for a given situation?

There are three primary variables an angler can manipulate to elicit a positive feeding response: fall rate, profile, and action.

The first is fall rate. Does the lure float, suspend, or sink? If it sinks, how quickly does it descend?

Vertical movement—or the lack of it—can be a powerful trigger. The effectiveness of fall rate changes throughout the year as water temperatures fluctuate. As temperatures rise, so does the metabolism of our ectothermic friends, allowing fish to more accurately target faster-moving prey. Understanding these seasonal physiological changes prepares the angler to meet fish where and how they are feeding.

Next is profile. Just as grizzly bears happily eat blueberries, even the largest fish in a system will frequently target small meals. A classic saltwater example is the coconut worm migration, where tarpon well over 100 pounds can be seen slurping worms less than three inches long.

This understanding simplifies lure sizing. Carrying multiple versions of the same lure in different sizes allows anglers to quickly determine what the fish are keyed in on that day.

A familiar scenario plays out often in musky fishing. Large baits draw follows, fish trail them back to the boat, but no one commits. Anglers respond by changing colors, retrieve speeds, or lure styles, growing increasingly frustrated. Often, the most effective solution is simply downsizing—keeping the same speed, color, and bait style, but reducing the profile. That small adjustment frequently turns followers into biters.

The final variable is action. Just as concessions are made for water temperature and fall rate, action must also be adjusted to match conditions. Does the lure wobble, shimmy, pulse, rattle, flash, or remain nearly motionless? As water temperature increases, fish generally tolerate and respond better to increased action. Conversely, as water clarity improves, subtlety often becomes more effective.

Smallmouth bass in the upper Great Lakes offer a perfect example. Over seemingly featureless flats, these fish can be fooled by tiny marabou jigs retrieved with a slow, steady pace and minimal interruption. The lure doesn’t dart, flash, or vibrate aggressively—it simply suggests an easy meal without triggering negative cues.

Next time you’re on the water, remember the three variables: profile, fall rate, and action. Dialing in these elements will make you a more consistent and adaptable angler. These principles apply across nearly every bait category and target species. Even finicky trout in clear water can be fooled by fast-moving lures that don’t allow time for hesitation. When water temperatures rise and fish are capable of active pursuit, speed and aggression can outperform even the most subtle presentations.