All the lures can be effective. There isn't really a bad lure. The same goes for the Hard baits type lures which, today, come in a multitude of sizes, weights, colors and shapes. This diversity brings a lot of versatility to fishermen, but it can sometimes be difficult to make a choice. Whether it's for fishing for pike, from the perch, of the pike, of black bass or of the trout, each brand brings its version of the best lure. Some brands like Rapala, Illex, Megabass, Duo or Daiwa They have made an impression on fishermen, but do they really make the best swimming fish ?
The characteristics of each lure allow them to target certain species under certain conditions. Depending on their size, color, and swimming depth, a lure will be more or less effective. Indeed, changing fishing conditions do not allow to isolate the best one. hard bait among all the variations of each brand that are offered to us today.
Here is our selection of the 10 best hard baits from the market in 2024 for fishing all predators !
1. The Vatalion from Megabass
Often copied but never equaled, this hard lure which resembles an articulated lipless is formidable for the pike fishing. This hybrid lure between a swim and a lipless comes in several sizes: 7cm, 11.5cm, and 19cm.
This hard bait is used in a linear fashion and along the breaks. Thus, it adopts a formidable S-shaped swim that you can see in the video here. In spring, don't hesitate to retrieve it quickly and apply lively animations like jerks or twitches to trigger reflex attacks. Vatalion was specially designed for fishing in Europe. It is based on the morphology of a small bream, a prey that pike and zander delight in.
2. The BBZ-1 Swimbait by Spro
Initially designed for the fishing black bass (like many swimbaits on the market) BBZ-1 is formidable for pike fishing. This lure is divided into 3 parts. It is equipped with a soft tail and multiple fins for added realism.
The BBZ of the SPRO brand is characterized by its formidable S-shaped swim even at low retrieval speed. Its trout profile has proven its effectiveness with black bass in the United States. Indeed, many lakes in the USA are stocked with rainbow trout.
These fish therefore represent an important and accessible source of food. In France, pikes have retained their hunting instinct and their opportunistic nature. They will therefore not hesitate to attack your BBZ-1!
3. The Essential D-Contact
It's essential for fishing trout. This little hard bait is in all the boxes of trout fishermen. D-Contact from home Smith is a sinking jerkbait renowned for its ability to maintain an attractive swim even in strong currents.
This vairon flows very quickly. It therefore allows you to reach an adequate water depth more easily than a slow sinking minnow. This small trout lure comes in several sizes to fish different rivers, from the small Breton stream to the Dordogne.
Smith also developed a Salt Water version designed for sea bass fishing.
4. For the start of the season, the I Jack from Megabass
How to talk about the best swimming fish not to mention the I Jack ? This sub-surface lure is extraordinary at the start of the season for the pike fishing. It is characterized by its strong and deep sound, known to trigger the predatory instinct of the largest carnivores.
This lure Megabass is mainly used in a linear manner near obstacles such as dead wood, reeds, or weeds. Its ability to be cast over long distances and to fish almost on the surface makes it an ideal choice from the opening to explore large areas.
5. A versatile surface lure, the Whopper Plopper
Perches, pikes, black bass, catfish, sea bass... many are the carnivores in fresh water or at sea who fall under the charm of this propbait. Whopper Plopper from River2Sea is a surface lure that emits a lot of disturbances on the water. Thanks to its propeller Located on the triple back, it generates an attractive trail of bubbles that allows predators to target their attack.
The major disturbances it causes aim to imitate a fish in distress on the surface. Predatory fish are opportunistic predators who do not hesitate to attack any prey in difficulty.
This lure comes in several lengths. Thus, you can adjust the size of the Whopper according to the species sought.
6. The legendary Buster Jerk
He needs no introduction, the Buster Jerk the lure to have for pike fishing. With its 15cm and 75g, it is easy to launch. So you can use it from the shore or on a boat and reach considerable casting distances. Capable of swimming up to 3m deep, it is very versatile. Its iconic swim continues to seduce pikes from all over the world.
Yes, its effectiveness is worldwide! Unlike many lures known for their effectiveness, the Buster Jerk from CWC remains an affordable lure. Moreover, it is very durable even after many catches. In addition, its variety of colors allows it to adapt to different water and light conditions, thus increasing the chances of catching a big pike.
7. The king of big baits, the Balam
Its price puts off more than one, but its smooth and seductive swim has overcome many fishermen and record fish. In France, the Balam from Madness became known thanks to the brothers Charlie and Tom Couchoud who have been able to prove, through their numerous large pikes caught with this lure, that a swimbait of 25cm and more could prove formidable even in competition.
In a large alpine lake or river, this 4-part articulated swimbait displays an S-shaped swim that never fails to attract the attention of the largest predators, particularly the pike.
Some colors stand out, such as the Odorya Chart which emits a halo of light around it, or the Red Fin Perch which takes on the colors of a perch. The Balam is a floating lure to which you can add weight to fish in deeper areas.
8. The Countdown from home Rapala, a classic
The brand Rapala, despite being 88 years old, continues to shine with his efficiency among predators and trout. In 2024, Rapala continue to innovate and offer lures like the Super Shadow Rap Glide or the Shad Rap Elite.
Nevertheless, one of his best lures remains one of the first, the Countdown. This little hard bait Flowing has shown remarkable effectiveness on trout. It owes its name "Countdown"thanks to the "countdown" technique."
The Countdown technique allows fishermen to determine exactly at what depth the lure is, which is ideal for reaching fish that are in specific water layers.
9. The Pointer SP from Lucky Craft
This hard bait created by Lucky Craft is the embodiment of versatility. Whether it's for fishing for bass, perch, trout, pike, or black bass, the Pointer (also called B Freeze) will always be a good choice! jerk minnow can be used both in linear and with lively jerk or twitch type animations.
The Pointer SP is a hard suspending lure. Therefore, you can take long breaks during retrieval to entice hesitant and following fish. This lure is equipped with brass inserts placed very low, allowing it to vibrate and oscillate even when stationary, perfectly imitating an injured fish.
To target the perch, the Pointer 65 SP is the best size. For even more versatile use, opt for the Pointer 100 SP. This last size of jerkbait proves to be formidable for fishing bass in shallow water.
10. The Chubby 38 F, a small crank from Illex
This small crank is a real treat. For fishermen who are in love with the ultra light fishing, leurre is a gem for perch, black bass, and also trout fishing. Ultra-light, this lure is. hard bait displays a weight of 4g. So it is intended to be used with a rod ultra light.
As its name suggests, it is also very effective on chub (chub being the English translation of chevesne). Its pronounced rolling and the vibrations it emits while moving attract many small predators and sometimes even cyprinids. The Chubby 38 F from homeIllex So it's a small hard bait all-purpose, ideal for beginners as well as the more experienced.
In summary,
All the fishing brands own a lure that stands out, whether it's for fishing pike, from the perch, black bass, of the trout or that its use is misused. The swimming fish are not the cheapest lures to buy. However, they are generally more durable than soft lures. Keep in mind that the price has little influence on the effectiveness of certain swimbaits. It is even more important to know how to fish with them and under what conditions.
For optimal efficiency, lures must be used according to their characteristics and good animation is essential for catching fish. A pure linear jig may not be as effective as if it is animated vertically. The same goes for a popper retrieved without animation. Through this selection of the 10 lures that we consider among the best, we hope that you will find what you are looking for and THE lure that will bring you your most beautiful fish.
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