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The 50 Greatest Lures of All Time
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photo: Todd Huffman

Curly Tail Grub
Curly Tail is often used as a generic term for a whole class of soft-plastic grubs with curled tails, but it's actually a trademark of Mister Twister, the company that made the first ones more than 30 years ago. Combined with a plain or painted round-head jig, as shown here, these are the best fishing lures of all time. They are cheap, easy to use, and work very well (in various sizes) for just about anything that swims in freshwater or inshore saltwater. As just one example, my local smallmouth bass love a 3-inch chartreuse-flake Curly Tail bottom-bounced with a 1/8-ounce jighead-"and that's just the start. mepps.com/mistertwister

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Comment on This Article

At 11:14 AM, 2008-10-14, anonymous said:
that makes no sence Mark comment offensive

At 8:26 PM, 2008-10-07, fisher Z said:
if i would uv listened to my pops Mark comment offensive

At 11:09 AM, 2008-10-02, jim said:
slug-go's are the best lure ever should have been #1 Mark comment offensive

At 9:17 PM, 2008-09-30, fishlakechamplain said:
I am having a problem navigating the list. If I click on the list of lures that's on the right it refreshes the screen but does not swithes to that lure. So if I want to see a specific lure I have to scroll through all previous ones. I have tried with both IE and FireFox. Do you experience the same? Mark comment offensive

At 12:20 AM, 2008-09-29, caligetsita said:
varrolpasc4 Mark comment offensive

At 7:14 PM, 2008-09-15, delgetc4t said:
orbastr Mark comment offensive

At 1:05 AM, 2008-09-09, bluepearl said:
I really enjoyed your list. Thanks for adding the comments about each lure with tips on how to fish them. I cut and pasted some of your tips as future references for those lures I have yet to own. Thanks! Mark comment offensive

At 9:14 PM, 2008-08-31, kris said:
Me and my dad tried some power bait and crawlers for catching perch and catfish, the power bait didn't work at all and turtles kept getting in the way, would crawlers be better or just a different spot? Mark comment offensive

At 9:05 PM, 2008-06-30, website design said:
Great list! My personal favorite is the Jitterbug. In the right spot a bass will hit it within a second of the lure splashing down on the pond. Mark comment offensive

At 11:30 AM, 2008-06-30, Mike. said:
TOC is not working with FF 3.0 :( Mark comment offensive

At 10:59 AM, 2008-06-30, coffeeffoc said:
Surprised you didn't include the classic white or yellow jig. Mark comment offensive

At 5:53 AM, 2008-06-30, Win a Green Card said:
I learned about "Twister tail Grubs" back in "Worm Dipping 101". They will work on about any fish that swims. If'n you wanna' come back from the hole smellin' fishy, better take a poke of them twisters along y'all... It shore beats diggin' fish worms behind the outhouse. Mark comment offensive

At 4:12 PM, 2008-06-22, me go fish all time said:
ummmmm i catch fish on nightcrawler and meal worms and a litte power bait on the same hook Mark comment offensive

At 11:27 AM, 2008-06-18, T-MITCH said:
Peter ur my Hero!! haha Mark comment offensive

At 9:53 AM, 2008-06-16, peter said:
some bastard called Pimp Slap yo sister/wife said fishing sucks, GO BACK TO THE BEACH YOU SISSY BASTARD IF YOU DONT LIKE FISHIN DON'T GO ON THE DAME WEBSITE. FISHING IS THE SECOND BEST THING IN THE WORLD AFTER HUNTING Mark comment offensive

At 11:44 PM, 2008-06-07, jaybird said:
Powerbait makes a 3 inch trout worm (get the orange peel color if you can). Rainbow trout will hit all day with it- at least for me. Love the article. Mark comment offensive

At 2:32 PM, 2008-05-31, mike said:
i just caught a monster largy today on one of them but it was an older vintage model green w/tiger stripes Mark comment offensive

At 3:32 PM, 2008-05-23, sdfsd said:
right on about the storm wild eye i like the bluegill version in a 1.5 oz for suspended largies in light cover it works especially well on a cloudy day Mark comment offensive

At 5:48 PM, 2008-05-21, ??????? said:
I love the wildeye swimbait. I caught 15 pound largemouth bass with it!I don't like Clinton. Mark comment offensive

At 12:53 PM, 2008-05-17, rance said:
yozuri lures are good in crank baits caught yellowstone trout to walleye large mouth small mouth catfish crappie perch and bluegill and the infamous bugle mouth bass aka the carp just using one color pattern Mark comment offensive

At 5:56 PM, 2008-05-15, bassmaster from the qc said:
hot steel shad rap will catch fish all day long Mark comment offensive

At 5:54 AM, 2008-05-12, Sen. Hillary Clinton said:
I like using nightcrawlers and live shad smashed together. Vote for me! Mark comment offensive

At 5:53 AM, 2008-05-12, Pimp Slap yo sister/wife said:
Fishing SUCKS! I like crabbing south of the Pu Tang strip. Mark comment offensive

At 5:52 AM, 2008-05-12, Snoop Doggy Dogg said:
Yamamoto Senkos are the shiznit! I get mo' bass comin out the deuce deuce, fo' shizzle. Mark comment offensive

At 12:48 PM, 2008-05-10, brendan said:
The mepps aglia is a great river lure...i just caught 3 native brookies and a small rainbow in my local river in 20 minutes Mark comment offensive

At 7:52 PM, 2008-05-06, cj and john said:
I have caught something everyday with a Rapala lure weather it be a husky jerk, original floter or x-rap 14 I think this is the lure Mark comment offensive

At 12:43 PM, 2008-05-06, Eric said:
After seeing the article I couldn't believe so many of the lures in my tackle box made it on the list. I personally love the Black Rooster Tail with silver spinner. It has proven itself to me many times over. Mark comment offensive

At 12:44 PM, 2008-05-05, Cueball said:
A 1/8th oz white Roostertail was first lure I bought as a kid way back in mid 60s. Wish I still had that first spinner but the Army movers got it. Still use Rooster tails a lot and of course, lots of great memories with the bait Mark comment offensive

At 12:58 PM, 2008-05-01, Jerry- said:
the evolution jig is really starting to make its move here down south.video-www.evolutionlures.com-pretty cool Mark comment offensive

At 7:50 PM, 2008-04-29, MNFISHING.ORG said:
I like to see that there is a mix of classics and newer lures in here. Nice job! Mark comment offensive

At 7:49 PM, 2008-04-29, MNFISHING.ORG said:
I like to see a good mix of classics and newer lures. Nice job! Mark comment offensive

At 5:34 AM, 2008-04-26, Pimp Slap said:
Fishing SUCKS! I like crabbing south of the Pu Tang strip. Mark comment offensive

At 5:30 AM, 2008-04-26, Sen. Hillary Clinton said:
I like using nightcrawlers and live shad smashed together. Vote for me! Mark comment offensive

At 5:23 AM, 2008-04-26, Snoop Doggy Dogg said:
Yamamoto Senkos are the shiznit! I get mo' bass comin out the deuce deuce, fo' shizzle. Mark comment offensive

At 1:34 PM, 2008-04-25, Jackmehoff said:
Rapala is sexy. Mark comment offensive

At 6:06 PM, 2008-04-24, Bassman21 said:
I have the new X-rap shad, it's the same wobble then zig! zag! left! right! Bam! Mark comment offensive

At 6:04 PM, 2008-04-24, Tarponfisheriesltd said:
Whamo! I love it when that lure gets destroyed by big saltwater fish! Mark comment offensive

At 6:01 PM, 2008-04-24, Tj Pipines said:
Rattle traps are one of the -BEST- Smallmouth lures I've -EVER- used!!!!! lipless all the way!!!!! Mark comment offensive

At 4:56 PM, 2008-04-24, Fisher-man said:
my friend loves Rapalas Mark comment offensive

At 3:23 PM, 2008-04-24, Matt C. said:
Mepps aglias are my go to bait. I recently caught a bunch of fish on one. Fish love them. Greatest all time in my opinion! Mark comment offensive

At 10:10 AM, 2008-04-24, Colin said:
Rapala shad rap is the best lure of all time Mark comment offensive

At 10:08 AM, 2008-04-24, WAYNE GORHAM said:
WILL CATCH FISH ANYWHERE. MY SON & i ONCE CAUGHT 135 CRAPPIES IN TWO HOURS ON THIS BAIT & COLOR Mark comment offensive

At 3:50 PM, 2008-04-23, shonras said:
How could you not have a Jake's on the list? I would put it ahead of the Kroc and the Kastmaster any day. Mark comment offensive

At 8:45 PM, 2008-04-22, Slayer .45cal. said:
I love the lure i put a flasher on it so the fish can see it easier. me and my grampa were trolling and we both caught 2 15 in. largemouth that wighed 4 to 5 lbs. all in all i love it Mark comment offensive

At 3:31 AM, 2008-04-22, ojescareno450 said:
I have some put don't know how to tie it to the line. Please someone tell me how or where. Send me info. to Feo450@ayhoo.com Mark comment offensive

At 12:02 AM, 2008-04-21, FishOregon said:
I once caught 5 largemouths over 2.5 pounds in 6 casts on this bait. Mark comment offensive

At 10:04 PM, 2008-04-21, christian said:
this lure is da best Mark comment offensive

At 8:14 PM, 2008-04-21, Nate said:
When i am in need i turn to this bait and it always porvides big bass Mark comment offensive

At 8:05 PM, 2008-04-21, Billy joe said:
love mepps aglia and hula popper-caught 12 pound bass on them-but where in the world is the Kicktail XL_5?Have caught monster pike,walleye,smallies,and largemouth on it! Mark comment offensive

At 12:11 PM, 2008-04-21, joe said:
Hula-popper provided me with some great weekends bass fishing. Turn the skirt around cast near the shore give it a couple of quick jerks and hold on. If any largemouth are in the area you will know about it. Mark comment offensive

At 8:04 AM, 2008-04-21, Qwami said:
Just tools to inflict pain and suffering on innocent animals. I like the Hula Popper best....just for the memories of fishing with them as a kid. I'm sure they still work great today. Should re-try some of the classics! Mark comment offensive

At 10:08 PM, 2008-04-14, Andy Revkin said:
If you want to hear a song about the Rebel Poo-R (and a nice bass I caught on one as a kid) visit www.myspace.com/andyrevkin and click on "That Six-Pound Trophy Bigmouth Bass" : ) A.R. Mark comment offensive

At 9:42 AM, 2008-04-13, LISTRIPEDBASS said:
curl tails are for sure the #1 out of those fifty, i've gotten fish in fresh,and salt on em.. fluke, striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, flounder, herring, shad.. you name it, it will eat a curl tail. Mark comment offensive

At 9:01 AM, 2008-04-12, cody said:
it stinks Mark comment offensive

At 3:44 PM, 2008-04-07, kmyszko324 said:
The jitterbug is a great lure. I have caught many of fish using this lure and will continue to use it for many more years. Mark comment offensive

At 10:49 AM, 2008-04-07, DanH said:
I meant the curly tail grub. Sorry brain freeze Mark comment offensive

At 10:48 AM, 2008-04-07, DanH said:
I use this every trip. North cove open two days after ice. First cast three pd Bass, third cast 28" northern. Had to leave to fix guide I should have tied last year. Chartruse works best. Mark comment offensive

At 5:20 PM, 2008-04-02, keith said:
so far the best lure ive ever used..i went and saw it in a store..i went straight to the lake and caught a monster bass! Mark comment offensive

At 8:19 AM, 2008-03-31, fishman said:
I always catch monster bass on this lure. Caught five bass that were over five pounds on it this year alteady. Mark comment offensive

At 4:06 PM, 2008-03-29, mikedbboy said:
I grew up using H&H spinners. It's the greatest bait I've ever used. Mark comment offensive

At 2:48 PM, 2008-03-26, Tim OBrien said:
Best top lure of ALL TIME, I personally love the broken back Rapala. Thanks Rapala Mark comment offensive

At 6:15 AM, 2008-03-24, Dan said:
I like the PHOEBE . That baby really works well at Moscrips Pond in N.Y. and other ponds in the upstate region . Mark comment offensive

At 9:53 AM, 2008-03-22, renny said:
reread list no Abu spinner? even worse than no ????66 Mark comment offensive

At 9:51 AM, 2008-03-22, renny said:
Can't remember the name. ?????66 lead head spinner feathered trailer hook Have not seen one since late fifties Mark comment offensive

At 10:03 PM, 2008-03-21, braggerwalleye said:
The Lindy Fuzz-E-Grubb! I am TOTALLY SURPRISED that one of the most productive and reliable lures of all time didn't make your 50 Best Lures list. What a disappointment!! Mark comment offensive

At 7:53 PM, 2008-03-21, Geoff said:
I just got the Hula popper and excited to use it. What fish does it work for the best? Whats the best way to use it Mark comment offensive

At 12:39 PM, 2008-03-21, chris said:
I am surprised that the Swiss Swing is not on this list! It is great in fast moving streams or rivers, and kills trout and bass. Mark comment offensive

At 4:30 PM, 2008-03-19, WVEagle said:
Al's Goldfish...now there's a memory. First lure I ever bought...near 40 years ago. I'll have to find one and try it out again. Wonder how it would work on smallies???? Mark comment offensive

At 4:04 PM, 2008-03-19, Joe Mladenik said:
You left out the Heddon minnow,the only trouble ihad with it, ihad to clean the fish to get my plug back. Mark comment offensive

At 6:28 AM, 2008-03-18, Bud Wiser said:
I take any lure or bait and pour beer on it and outfish my buddies 3 to 1,strange but it works,now thats what i'm talking about.............. Mark comment offensive

At 12:34 AM, 2008-03-16, Cedric said:
I catch all my fish on the needlefish...and it works amazingly...I don't need to buy bait and it out fishes bait. Mark comment offensive

At 10:40 AM, 2008-03-13, anonymous said:
I think mepps shold be at least number 2 they catch so many fish and big ones too I have caught bass,musky,walleye,perch,bluegill, catfish,northerns and just about every fish you can name on that lure Mark comment offensive

At 10:37 AM, 2008-03-13, anonymous said:
h Mark comment offensive

At 11:20 PM, 2008-03-12, Fishin' Magician said:
You guys can't spel. Mark comment offensive

At 7:04 AM, 2008-03-12, ozzy said:
I agree with Denny....the Thomas Bouyant really rocks,caught 18 trout one saturday afternoon and 11 the next with this lure. Mark comment offensive

At 12:25 AM, 2008-03-11, Denny said:
You didn't mention Thomas Bouyant and better yet the Acme Thunderbolt series. Mark comment offensive

At 1:40 PM, 2008-03-10, Jerwinn Crane said:
All lures are great at different times but what makes the lures is great presentation, and the will to be patience. Mark comment offensive

At 9:22 PM, 2008-03-07, him said:
love it Mark comment offensive

At 11:03 AM, 2008-03-07, paulmetto said:
Flatfish worked great for bass on Lake Saint Claire in Michigan. Daredevle spoons, red and white striped and the yellow with red diamonds, worked like a charm for Northern Pike in Northern Alberta. Mark comment offensive

At 8:09 PM, 2008-03-04, peter said:
Rapala kick ass Mark comment offensive

At 11:20 AM, 2008-03-04, Todd said:
We used Hula Poppers as a kid in small Northern California Bass ponds. They always worked great. That was over 30 years ago. Mark comment offensive

At 8:49 PM, 2008-03-01, mitchell said:
rat-l-traps are the shit Mark comment offensive

At 3:40 PM, 2008-02-29, coolio said:
great Mark comment offensive

At 6:08 PM, 2008-02-26, Cody said:
Ive caught many largemouth on this bait Mark comment offensive

At 12:07 PM, 2008-02-25, FishOntario said:
Ahh yes i love this lure i have caught big fish wit htis Mark comment offensive


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