| There are more than a hundred unique types of | | | | to spin in the water as the line is moved or a current |
| fishing lures, with thousands of variations within them. | | | | moves the terminal tackle. They come in as wide |
| The ingenuity of fishermen knows no bounds | | | | avariety as there are species of fish.Most spinnerbaits |
| whenstalking that elusive trout or bass or pike.Fishing | | | | have skirts made from animal hair, vinyl, rubber, or |
| lures are designed to work with the water, or in | | | | other materials. When they spin they sparkle. |
| some cases against it. | | | | Jigs may have a name that sounds like a dance, but |
| The basic idea is the same no matter the design and | | | | they're designed in the hope that the only dancing is |
| it's captured nicely by the very name: lure. Fish aren't | | | | that of the fish on the end of the line. No, that'snot |
| famous for being eager to jump onto the hook. | | | | the origin of the name. Since they don't resemble any |
| They have to be lured. The variety of ways | | | | live bait, it's surprising that they often work so well. |
| discovered over the centuries to do that is | | | | But work they do. |
| astounding. | | | | Made of a lead blob the size and shape of a small |
| Most try to resemble something the fish will find | | | | fish's head, they have an eye at one end and a hook |
| tasty, which naturally varies from species to species | | | | at the other. An attachment called a skirt is |
| and place to place. Here are just a few... | | | | oftenused to disguise the hook. Fish are more clever |
| Spoons are shaped somewhat like what their name | | | | than you would suppose. |
| suggests. That's not something one would expect | | | | Jigs and other types can also incorporate a very |
| the average fish to find attractive. But when they're | | | | handy mechanism called a swivel. This simple but |
| inmotion in the water, they do look a little like tiny | | | | clever device allows the lure to turn rather than |
| minnows, which are often used as live bait. A hook | | | | twistingthe fishing line. That has all sorts of |
| (sometimes a three-pronged treble) is fastened | | | | advantages, since a twisted line can more easily snap, |
| insidethe bowl and the weight of the lure makes it | | | | is difficult to reel in and causes other nasty problems. |
| ideal for casting and trolling. | | | | Anglers already have enough to do without making |
| Plugs may be shaped like minnows and sport hooks | | | | things tough for themselves. |
| at one end and in the middle. They may be | | | | Whether made of metal, plastic or the most exotic |
| anywhere from an inch to eight inches long and can | | | | material around (any you can imagine has been tried), |
| also resemblecrayfish or other tasty morsels. Some | | | | lures are the business end that starts the fishinggame |
| varieties float on the surface and so acquire the | | | | going. Match the type to the quarry you're after and |
| name floaters, where they lure top feeding species | | | | you'll never have to talk about the one that got |
| to their doom. | | | | away. Well, almost never. |
| Spinners are designed for what their name suggests - | | | | |