10 Best Saltwater Lures in 2022 (Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, and More)
Are you planning a big fishing trip at sea? Or maybe you're simply looking to hit the ocean at a local beach as the weather continues to warm up. Saltwater fishing lures are a great way to customize your bait, so you can ensure you snag the catch you've been thinking about!
That's why we did our research to find 10 of the best saltwater lures out there and brought it all together in a Top 10 list. In particular, we fell in love with the Berkley Saltwater Swimming Mullet for its different colors, reusability, and extra-long tail! See what else we included in our Top 10 list below, and read on to the end for our buying guide full of helpful shopping tups.
Quick List - Top Saltwater Lures
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How to Buy a Saltwater Lure - Buying Guide
You want your lure to match what you'll be trying to catch and how you're going to fish. Before you make a purchase, here are some points to keep in mind!
Consider the Best Type of Lure For Your Needs
You need the right lure to attract the right catch, and it’s vital to pick one that mimics your intended fish’s food.
Decide if You Need More Basic Models
When picking a perfect type of lure, there's a wide variety of options to choose from! One option is a soft plastic lure. This style is often lead-headed and molded inside a soft, plastic body, and it's typically used for bass fishing.
Soft plastic lures can be cast and retrieved, as well as dropped to the bottom of or bounced on top of the water. And they can mimic an array of sea creatures, such as minnows, shellfish, crabs, and more! You should also look for larger hooks when dealing with saltwater fish.
There are also spoon lures, which look just as their name implies. They’re usually wider at one end and wobble and flash like a smaller baitfish. These models work best when trying to nab big fish, such as bigmouth bass, salmon, and trout.
Topwater lures are made to float on top of the water and look like prey, including fish, frogs, and insects. Many of them are made from hard plastic and have treble hooks. Topwater lures work well for catching trout, bass, and other similar types of fish.
Poppers, sometimes known as popping plugs, are a popular variety of topwater lure that imitates prey by splashing on top of the water.
Determine if You Want Something More Elaborate
If you want a more detailed lure, you have even more options. A spinnerbait lure has a wire bent at a 90-degree angle that's equipped with a jig head (see the next section) on one end and a blade on the other. The fishing line ties at the bend. The blade has a swivel attached that allows it to flutter and spin to attract fish, usually bass.
There are also crankbaits, which are long and hard-bodied. They have a lip on the front of the lure that causes it to dive quickly. Also, while being retrieved, the lips make them wiggle from side to side, facilitating extra fish imitation.
Fly lures are another specialized model that's made for fly fishing. They’re designed to mimic flies. These models are light and are made to float or sink, but floating options are the most popular. For this style of lure, materials like feathers, hair, and fur are tied to a hook using a thread.
Think About a Jig Option
Jigging is a type of fishing that uses a specific jig lure that's typically made of rubber. They vary in color and size and can have other materials, such as feathers, attached. They’re generally best for deeper water, and most are lead-headed. As an angler, you make your jig appear like prey by purposely popping, jerking, and snapping it on the line.
One popular style is the bucktail jig. It has this name since classic versions are made with hair from the tail of a deer to attract fish, but there are synthetic options. It's also made with more lead than usual and has more of a hook. There are often rubber worms or other types of fake bait on its ends, and it can be used in both shallow and deep water.
There are also other options, like a vertical jig, that's meant to be vertically bounced in the water. It can also be used in both shallow and deep water. Although it's harder to handle, a vertical jig setup allows for greater line control.
Keep the Color of the Lure in Mind
The best color for your lure depends on the environment you’re fishing in. You’ll want the hue to match the visibility in a particular area of water, depending on depth, color, and weather.
If you are fishing on a sunny day or in shallower water where there’s a lot of natural light, opt for a matching lighter-colored lure. In fact, in water that’s extremely clear with a visibility of greater than roughly 15 feet, pigment doesn't show up well. So, you’ll want to go with a mostly-translucent lure that only has specks of color here and there.
Conversely, the darker and murkier the water you’re planning on fishing in, the darker your lure should be.
Pick the Best Size for You
When it comes to size, you’ll want to, as the old fishing saying goes, “match the hatch.” Lures are all about mimicking prey; in this case, insects or “hatch.” You’ll need to think about the size of the typical prey that your intended fish feeds on, especially in relation to the season.
Since prey is the smallest in winter and spring, many fishers use roughly three or four-inch lures during this time. Whereas in the summer, you can graduate up to a model that's around four or five inches long.
You’ll also need to take the specific characteristics of a body of water into account. Factors like depth and current cause the right lure to vary. For example, larger options can be better for fighting the current and reaching the bottom. But, if you use a lure that’s too large in a shallower body of water, you might lose more of them due to snags.
10 Best Saltwater Lures Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Berkley Saltwater Swimming Mullet | | Plastic Baitfish With an Extra-Long Tail | |
2 | Bass Pro Shops Wind Rider Spoon Lure | | A Solid Brass Spoon Lure | |
3 | Berkley Peeler Crab Lure | | A Potent-Smelling Crab Lure | |
4 | Howie's Tackle Original Fly Rig | | A Fly Lure With a Hand-Tied Skirt | |
5 | Offshore Angler Freestyle Jig | | An Eye-Catching Hologram Finish | |
6 | Z-Man Diezel Minnow | | A Minnow-Shaped Lure in 25 Different Colors | |
7 | Berkley Saltwater Mantis Shrimp Lure | | Lifelike Bait With High-Action Appendages | |
8 | Acme Kastmaster Spoon Lure | | An Aerodynamic Spoon Lure | |
9 | Worden's Super Rooster Tail Spinnerbait | | Spinnerbait With a "Safety Pin" Arm | |
10 | Bill Lewis Original Saltwater Bait | | A Corrosion-Resistant Lure With a Rattling Feature |
Plastic Baitfish With an Extra-Long Tail
This four-inch saltwater lure comes in four different colors. It's reusable and has a scent and taste that attracts fish. It's designed as a small baitfish with an extra-long tail, and it's also available in a five-inch model.
Some customers found the newest version of this model to be too soft, giving it poor durability. But, generally, people loved this lure for its ability to attract fish, especially flounder! They also appreciated the color choices, saying they work well.
A Solid Brass Spoon Lure
This spoon lure comes in three different colors and has a length of two-and-a-half inches. It weighs an ounce and is made of solid brass. This model also comes with a three-pronged hook. It's also constructed to hold up well in saltwater.
A few customers said that the paint starts to wear off after a few uses. But, multiple reviewers said that this model is well-constructed and caught fish well. They also said that its weight makes it a great casting lure.
A Potent-Smelling Crab Lure
This lure resembles a peeler crab and is made with extra scent, taste, and movement action. It has a transparent, natural hue, which makes it extra lifelike. It also weighs 11.5 ounces and is two inches long.
Mostly, buyers praised this model's performance for a variety of fish. And one person noted its impressive movement and potent scent!
A Fly Lure With a Hand-Tied Skirt
This fly lure comes with three sharp hooks and four colored beads. It's equipped with a hand-tied skirt and comes in two lengths. It works best when trolled in deep water.
One reviewer did have to change the hook to meet specific area regulations. But, overall, multiple customers praised this lure for how well it helps catch fish, saying it's great for salmon in particular!
An Eye-Catching Hologram Finish
This freestyle jig is available in lengths ranging from three to six inches. It comes in five bright colors with a shiny hologram finish. This model also has large 3D eyes, two hooks, and a stainless steel split ring.
Some customers thought this lure's rings weren't strong enough for their liking. But, most people loved its ease of use and how well it catches larger fish, including snapper and sea bass.
A Minnow-Shaped Lure in 25 Different Colors
This minnow-shaped lure comes in 25 different colors. It's available in four-, five-, and seven-inch lengths. It's designed both for inshore angling and freshwater fishing. This lure is lifelike and has a hook slot for easy rigging.
Multiple customers praise this model for its durability and movement! They said it does well with fish with a lot of teeth, and they were able to catch pike, trout, and bass with it.
Lifelike Bait With High-Action Appendages
This lure closely resembles a mantis shrimp. It comes in two different colors and has a special attractant formulated for saltwater. Its appendages move freely, and this lure is three inches long.
Some customers reported that this lure was too soft and broke up easily when bit. But, overall, buyers loved how well it attracted fish, noting that they get a lot of bites. They were able to catch a variety of fish, including flounder, speckled trout, and bass.
An Aerodynamic Spoon Lure
This spoon lure has an aerodynamic design that helps it cast farther. It can be used in freshwater or saltwater, and it has movement that doesn't tangle the line. It comes in 26 colors and a wide range of weights.
Generally, most people enjoyed using this lure, especially for trolling. They also like that this lure is easy to cast and receives a lot of bites. A few buyers noted that it did well with trout and bluefish!
Spinnerbait With a "Safety Pin" Arm
This spinnerbait has a safety pin-style arm that increases spinning. It comes in eight different colors and is available in two weights. This model also has a long, enticing hackle tail.
Overall, buyers said that these lures are great at catching fish, and many said they've been using them for years. They also reported that they're great for bass fishing.
A Corrosion-Resistant Lure With a Rattling Feature
This lure comes in four different colors and has salt-specific color profiles. It's three inches long and weighs half an ounce. It's also made with corrosion-resistant materials and has a loud rattle to attract fish.
Overall, people loved how well this lure attracts fish! They noted that it's quite loud, and it works well for a large variety of fish. A few also said that it's suitable for freshwater.
More Options For Enjoying the Outdoors
Fishing is a great way to get fresh air and enjoy nature! Here are even more articles to help you consider what gear you need to make the best of the outdoors.
Top 5 Saltwater Lures
No. 1: Berkley｜Saltwater Swimming Mullet
No. 2: Bass Pro Shops｜Wind Rider Spoon Lure
No. 3: Berkley｜Peeler Crab Lure
No. 4: Howie's Tackle｜Original Fly Rig
No. 5: Offshore Angler｜Freestyle Jig
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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