The Pros and Cons of Different Fishing Lure Types

Walk into any tackle shop and you'll be confronted with an overwhelming wall of lures — poppers, crankbaits, soft plastics, jigs, vibes, and everything in between. Understanding what each lure type does, and when to use it, is one of the most valuable skills an angler can develop. Here's a practical breakdown of the most popular fishing lure types, their strengths and weaknesses, and the best options from our range.

Popper Lures

Pros: Poppers are surface lures designed to create a commotion on top of the water, mimicking injured baitfish and triggering aggressive strikes from predatory fish like bass, trevally, and GT. They're highly visual and incredibly exciting to fish — you see the strike coming every time.

Cons: Poppers work best in calm to moderate surface conditions. In rough water or strong wind, the surface disturbance is harder to control and detect. They're also primarily a warm-water, warmer-season lure.

Recommended: The Tsurinoya CATCHER 40F Micro Topwater Popper (40mm 3.3g) is a finesse surface option in 12 colours, perfect for bass, bream, and trout in calmer water. For larger surface action, the Kingdom Mini Popper (50mm 3.5g) covers bass, bream, and pike in a compact, castable package.

Crankbait Lures

Pros: Crankbaits are among the most versatile hard body lures available. Their built-in lip controls dive depth, and their wobbling action displaces water to trigger reaction strikes. They work across a wide range of species and conditions, in both freshwater and saltwater.

Cons: They can snag on structure and submerged timber if you're not careful. Some crankbaits are also species-specific in terms of profile and action, so having a few different styles is important.

Recommended: The Kingdom Sinking Crankbait (50mm 10.5g) is a compact, heavy option that casts well and covers bass, flathead, and trevally. For a floating option with a wider wobble, the Kingdom Floating Minnow Crankbait (50mm 10.5g) adds a built-in rattle for extra noise attraction.

Soft Plastic Lures

Pros: Soft plastics are arguably the most natural-feeling lure in the water. Their lifelike texture means fish hold on longer after striking, giving you more time to set the hook. They're also highly versatile — paddle tails, grubs, worms, and swimbaits each cover different depths and presentations.

Cons: Soft plastics need to be rigged correctly to be effective, which requires some knowledge of jig head weights and hook sizes. They also get torn up by fish over time and need replacing more regularly than hard bodies.

Recommended: The Kingdom T-Tail Soft Plastic (35mm–65mm) is a go-to freshwater option for bass, trout, and pike. For larger presentations, the Meredith JXS02 180mm Paddletail Soft Plastic in 22 colours is ideal for bass and trevally in both fresh and saltwater.

Jigs and Vibe Lures

Pros: Jigs and vibes are highly effective in deeper water where surface and shallow-running lures can't reach. Metal jigs cast a long way and sink fast, making them perfect for targeting pelagic species. Vibe lures produce a tight vibrating action that fish detect via their lateral line even in low-visibility water.

Cons: Jigs require more active angler input to work effectively — the lift-drop technique takes practice. In snaggy bottom conditions, you'll lose a few.

Recommended: The 9KM DWLIFE Bullet Sinker range (5g–20g) gives you the weight options to rig soft plastics at any depth for bass and bream.

Scented Attractants

Pros: Scent can be the difference maker when fish are lethargic or in cold water. Adding scent to any lure — hard body, soft plastic, or jig — increases dwell time and can trigger strikes when action alone won't.

Cons: Needs reapplication during a session, which adds a small amount of inconvenience. Less effective in fast-moving water where scent dissipates quickly.

Recommended: Captain Jack's Originals Gel Scent 3 Pack (Garlic, Aniseed & Fish) covers the three most proven scent profiles in Australian fishing.

Final Thoughts

The most effective anglers carry a mix of lure types and aren't afraid to switch up if one isn't producing. Conditions change, fish moods change, and having options in your tackle box is what separates a good session from a blank one.

Browse the full lure range at Cast N Go — Lures & Hard Bodies and stock your box for every situation.