Pick the Right Lure for a Great Southwest Michigan Fishing Experience

If you are new to fishing, getting started can be an intimidating experience, especially when trying to find the right type of artificial lures to use. There are so many shapes, styles, and colors to choose from, and without the right lure, your day fishing can end up as just a day sitting out on the boat. Not that there’s anything wrong with that – it sure beats work!

At Slowen Outdoors, we carry a wide variety of artificial lures to ensure you are outfitted with the right equipment for a fun, relaxing day out on the water. But what lure is right for the type of fish you want to catch? In today’s post, we will look at some of the most common types of lures that Southwest Michigan fishermen use, identifying the best species of fish to use them for, and the right environment in which to use them.

Spinnerbaits – These baits are a great option when you are looking to catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, or northern pike. These are effective in areas with weed or stained water from spring through the fall season.

Inline Spinners – These types of lures are perfect for rivers, streams, and smaller lakes when you’re looking to catch trout, salmon, smallmouth bass, pike, and panfish.

Crankbaits – Crankbaits make a wobbling motion that mimic the movement of smaller fish or crawfish. They work well for catching bass, walleye, or pike near rocky points or drop-offs.

Jerkbaits – Similar to crankbaits, jerkbaits make erratic actions that mimic injured or fleeing fish, attracting smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, pike in clear water during the early spring and fall.

Soft Plastic Worms – A great option anytime of year, especially summer, these lures are popular for fishermen looking to catch smallmouth and largemouth bass.

Tube Jigs – Designed to mimic dying baitfish or crawfish, tube jigs are good for catching smallmouth bass in rocky areas of Lake Michigan and in inland lakes.

Swimbaits – Just like the name says, these baits move to look and act like real baitfish, attracting bass, pike, walleye, and muskie.

Jigs – A great option all year long, jigs are good when fishing for walleye, bass, crappie, or perch.

Spoons – Spoons wobble and flash in the water to mimic wounded baitfish to attract salmon, steelhead, pike, and lake trout in Lake Michigan and deeper inland lakes.

Topwater Lures – Like the name says, topwater lures are surface baits that cause splashing, sounds, and vibrations that attract strikes from largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and pike in early morning, evening, or on overcast days.

Blade Baits – A compact, heavy metal fishing lure featuring a lead belly weight and a thin metal blade that vibrates intensely when pulled, these baits attract walleye and smallmouth bass in cold water from the late fall through spring.

Lipless Crankbaits – Also known as rattle baits, these create loud sounds and intense vibrations to attract bass, pike, and walleye in the spring and fall.

Chatterbaits – These baits combine the flash of a spinnerbait, the profile of a jig, and the erratic vibration of a crankbait in one single lure. These are great for catching largemouth bass or pike around vegetation in the spring and summer months.

Ned Rigs – Designed to mimic small, bottom-dwelling forage, these lures are good for catching largemouth bass and smallmouth bass in clear water and pressured lakes.

Drop Shot Rigs – A great option for finesse fishing, drop shot rigs are effective in catching smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, or perch in deep waters.

If you need any help choosing the right lures for your next fishing excursion, come to Slowen Outdoors, and we will make sure you get everything you need. Stop in and see us today!