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The 50 Greatest Lures of All Time
The 50 Greatest Lures of All Time
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
Photo by Todd Huffman
Additional Info
Whether you target bass or walleyes, trout or stripers and more, these are lures that actually work. Some selections are lures your granddad fished. Others are so new you might not have seen them yet. In all cases, though, you'll find a lure that catches fish, specified right down to size and color, along with just what to do when you're on the water.
Picking the perfect lure for a given situation is hard work, so I'll confess to a dirty trick. Before returning to a marina dock or my truck, I take the day's hot lures off my rods and put them away. To the same rods, I then attach lures that didn't work. That means the prying eyes of other anglers in the parking lot will be led astray, and I'll keep a secret to myself just a little longer.
Not this time, though. The lures on these slides are, indeed, the ones I use myself-a core collection distilled through 50 years on the water. They'll work for you, too.
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Photo Gallery Comments (63)
They forgot lure no. 51: A quarter stick of dynamite. Works EVERY time!
Hard be a Rapala if you ask me.
I have to say, the curly tail is my favorite lure for everything, and there are so many ways to use it, jigs, trailers, on a bare hook, the opportunitys are endless, now all you have to do is make a 50 best flys ever and i would hope the number 0ne would be the Clowser minnow.
to me the best plug ever made was called a ( scrambled egg).it was a good bass and jack fish plug.the company that made it went out of business and wouldn't sell the patent to it.would love to see it back on the market again.people that still own one wont sell theres or fish with them for fear of losing them forever!
What about bucktails? How could the list not have bucktails?
Personally, I think Panther Martin spinner & Yamamoto Senko are both slightly underrated on this list. I'd definitely put the a dressed PM in front of a Rooster Tail in a heartbeat.
The curly tail works great for our monster smallmouth we have on the columbia river. For Chinook Salmon It's The K-16 Kwikfish wrapped with sardine and the best lure for Steelhead is a lil corkie and yarn...
FISHING TIP RE:ZARA SPOOK for Striped Bass/Blue Fish.
Old timer gave me this awesome tip, drill a BB size hole about 1/4" or a bit more behind the eyes directly along the spine. Put a tsp of mineral oil or cod liver oil and seal with silicone.(just enough for it to float with the head bobbing upward) In the surf this extra weight will scream the lure an extra 30 yrds (more if you use braided line)and the stripers smash em. They're also cost effective $5, so if you lose em it doesn't sting as much!
Panther martin is a great lure, but I have hooked over 10 types of fish on a single rooster tail. I would have ranked it a little higher.
in my apinion the sketter pop frog by rapala is the best bass lure ever made
I've cought more bass on a rubber worm then any other lure. Jurking them on the retreve will increase the amount of strickes also
say that again
If all else fails I use a Mepps Aglia. I don't alway catch the big ones, but sometimes I just like to catch fish.
caught 20 bass on a rapala hoola pooper over the weeds one day last fall smallest one was 15 inches ever since that day ive been poppin!
Rapala Original Floating Minnow.
With all these sweet lures its no wonder these fish don't stand a chance. Its amazing being able to watch the lure design evolve in this gallery. What will they think of next?
Forgot to mention, where is the saltwater love? Should be titled the 50 Greatest Freshwater Lures.
My fav is the Pop-R I catch more on that..
I'd have to put the buzzbait near the top of the list. What it lacks in diversity of fish species it more than makes up for in hellyeah.
i like them all the ones that i have that are in here all work really good.
Panther Martin spinners are the all time best trout lure out there I have caught all sizes of brook trout from all times of the year on them cant beat em
hard to beet a good mepps or a nice daredivel
the red and white dare devil spoon is great. i caught my 42 inch pike on one...
can you tell us more about the scrambled egg plug? what did it look like design colors any pictures?
You will find my tackle bag full of assorted jigs, tails, rapalas, and little cleos.
They sure didnt forget #25. The jitterbug works good as the suns going down in the summertime espeacaily around brush.
its like lookin in my tackle box
jitterbug is byfar my favorite lure of all time i have caught so many fish on this lure it isn't even funny
i also like the Bomber model B
i also like the Bomber model B
mepps are still no.1 in my book hard to beat these little spinners
I think that we all underestimated the old Johnson Sprite Spoon. Even though they are originally ment for redfish, they have produced some rainbows and largemouths over and over again
Actually, the Daredevle spoon rotates 360 degrees instead of the "wobble" effect as the Cleo, or the Darting action of the Kast Master, so a steady retrieve is a better presentation for this lure!
what about an erie derie , all you do is let it drift with a worm (optional) and waleye will be left and right
What about the old Wounded Minnow. I caught some of my first fish on the wounded minnow, about 30 years ago. Lost that lure some time back, and haven't found one like it since.
i'd put shad rap up higher
what about scumfrogs.
when im trout fishing kastmasters work farely well , so do panther martin lures .
the panther martin is very underated on the list, it is my favorite trout lure.
Storm Thunderstick, Silver with black back
Seeing all these great lures brings back many great memories as I have caught some great fish on nearly every one of them. One lure that used to slay bass that I haven't hear mentioned is the Bassareno in frog or in red and white. Back in the 60's living in South Dakota, that was my go to plug for bass when nothing else was working. I caught tons of bass on it and I don't hear too much about it anymore...
I liked seeing the wide range of lures but Fail!The Lucky 13 should have been in there for sure. Nice gallery though
Me too like the Bomber model B!
Can't beat the classics!
I usely use the teeny torpedo.I took it to my aunts pond and it worked great the largemouth bass woulg pop it with their tails then take it and run with it.I caught four with it in 30 minutes.I would have caught more but I had to leave, the biggest weighed 2 pounds.I would have done better but it was about 100 degrees outside.
For striped bass, I love the Stan Gibbs pencil popper, even if it does wear out your wrist and arm.
the Hulapopper is my favorite lure
the flatfish is mY favorite lure..caught a 24 3/4 inch rainbow on one of these about 2 months ago..comin back from the taxidermist soon
I love my Eppinger Dardevle!
Its hard to beat the hula popper and the dardevle. I have never used either of them without getting at least one fish per hour.
Those Rat-L-Traps are amazing lures. Its a great way to get someone started with bass fishing as a steady retrieve works very well. I've caught anything from Perch to Largemouth to Walleye on the same lure, same pattern, in 3 different states.
Daredevils are some of the best.
There is a great lure made in alberta, canada called the len thompson series-they are spoons, many different color patterns-i love them all-for any fishing i do.
how do you use the rigged? curly tail grub?
Man, the best lure has to be the Rapala original floaters and some Panther Martins. But what really works for me are some of the Thomas Cyclones which to fish, they look like scales on a minnow
these are all great lures it's a good list for new fishermen to start with. The little hints and tips is what makes this a super list. It's a good place to start to help teach kids how to fish. pass the love of the sport on, while enjoying our old favorites.
I cant believe the Blue Fox Classic Vibrax Spinner isn't on here! I think I have caught 50% of all my fish on this lure...
I love using a simple jig for a variety of species
Ive had the best luck using these lures,..
1) Devils Horse
2) double spin buzz bait
3)Pumpkin seed rubber worm with a rattler
4) Blue Fox Vibrax
Go Panther Martin.
One of my top 5 favorite lures. I have a few of them top tray of my bass box. About the only lure i've climbed trees and dove under logs for.
you need to put up the zoom super fluke. put them on a size 2 worm hook texas rigged and just snake them along the top or just twitch them and let them sit either way its a great lure
Smallmouth will eat'em up
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I have to say, the curly tail is my favorite lure for everything, and there are so many ways to use it, jigs, trailers, on a bare hook, the opportunitys are endless, now all you have to do is make a 50 best flys ever and i would hope the number 0ne would be the Clowser minnow.
What about bucktails? How could the list not have bucktails?
Personally, I think Panther Martin spinner & Yamamoto Senko are both slightly underrated on this list. I'd definitely put the a dressed PM in front of a Rooster Tail in a heartbeat.
Hard be a Rapala if you ask me.
FISHING TIP RE:ZARA SPOOK for Striped Bass/Blue Fish.
Old timer gave me this awesome tip, drill a BB size hole about 1/4" or a bit more behind the eyes directly along the spine. Put a tsp of mineral oil or cod liver oil and seal with silicone.(just enough for it to float with the head bobbing upward) In the surf this extra weight will scream the lure an extra 30 yrds (more if you use braided line)and the stripers smash em. They're also cost effective $5, so if you lose em it doesn't sting as much!
Panther martin is a great lure, but I have hooked over 10 types of fish on a single rooster tail. I would have ranked it a little higher.
I've cought more bass on a rubber worm then any other lure. Jurking them on the retreve will increase the amount of strickes also
If all else fails I use a Mepps Aglia. I don't alway catch the big ones, but sometimes I just like to catch fish.
Rapala Original Floating Minnow.
I'd have to put the buzzbait near the top of the list. What it lacks in diversity of fish species it more than makes up for in hellyeah.
They sure didnt forget #25. The jitterbug works good as the suns going down in the summertime espeacaily around brush.
its like lookin in my tackle box
i also like the Bomber model B
mepps are still no.1 in my book hard to beat these little spinners
Seeing all these great lures brings back many great memories as I have caught some great fish on nearly every one of them. One lure that used to slay bass that I haven't hear mentioned is the Bassareno in frog or in red and white. Back in the 60's living in South Dakota, that was my go to plug for bass when nothing else was working. I caught tons of bass on it and I don't hear too much about it anymore...
I love my Eppinger Dardevle!
Its hard to beat the hula popper and the dardevle. I have never used either of them without getting at least one fish per hour.
Those Rat-L-Traps are amazing lures. Its a great way to get someone started with bass fishing as a steady retrieve works very well. I've caught anything from Perch to Largemouth to Walleye on the same lure, same pattern, in 3 different states.
Man, the best lure has to be the Rapala original floaters and some Panther Martins. But what really works for me are some of the Thomas Cyclones which to fish, they look like scales on a minnow
these are all great lures it's a good list for new fishermen to start with. The little hints and tips is what makes this a super list. It's a good place to start to help teach kids how to fish. pass the love of the sport on, while enjoying our old favorites.
I cant believe the Blue Fox Classic Vibrax Spinner isn't on here! I think I have caught 50% of all my fish on this lure...
to me the best plug ever made was called a ( scrambled egg).it was a good bass and jack fish plug.the company that made it went out of business and wouldn't sell the patent to it.would love to see it back on the market again.people that still own one wont sell theres or fish with them for fear of losing them forever!
The curly tail works great for our monster smallmouth we have on the columbia river. For Chinook Salmon It's The K-16 Kwikfish wrapped with sardine and the best lure for Steelhead is a lil corkie and yarn...
in my apinion the sketter pop frog by rapala is the best bass lure ever made
say that again
With all these sweet lures its no wonder these fish don't stand a chance. Its amazing being able to watch the lure design evolve in this gallery. What will they think of next?
Forgot to mention, where is the saltwater love? Should be titled the 50 Greatest Freshwater Lures.
My fav is the Pop-R I catch more on that..
i like them all the ones that i have that are in here all work really good.
Panther Martin spinners are the all time best trout lure out there I have caught all sizes of brook trout from all times of the year on them cant beat em
hard to beet a good mepps or a nice daredivel
the red and white dare devil spoon is great. i caught my 42 inch pike on one...
can you tell us more about the scrambled egg plug? what did it look like design colors any pictures?
You will find my tackle bag full of assorted jigs, tails, rapalas, and little cleos.
jitterbug is byfar my favorite lure of all time i have caught so many fish on this lure it isn't even funny
i also like the Bomber model B
I think that we all underestimated the old Johnson Sprite Spoon. Even though they are originally ment for redfish, they have produced some rainbows and largemouths over and over again
Actually, the Daredevle spoon rotates 360 degrees instead of the "wobble" effect as the Cleo, or the Darting action of the Kast Master, so a steady retrieve is a better presentation for this lure!
what about an erie derie , all you do is let it drift with a worm (optional) and waleye will be left and right
What about the old Wounded Minnow. I caught some of my first fish on the wounded minnow, about 30 years ago. Lost that lure some time back, and haven't found one like it since.
i'd put shad rap up higher
what about scumfrogs.
when im trout fishing kastmasters work farely well , so do panther martin lures .
the panther martin is very underated on the list, it is my favorite trout lure.
Storm Thunderstick, Silver with black back
I liked seeing the wide range of lures but Fail!The Lucky 13 should have been in there for sure. Nice gallery though
Me too like the Bomber model B!
Can't beat the classics!
I usely use the teeny torpedo.I took it to my aunts pond and it worked great the largemouth bass woulg pop it with their tails then take it and run with it.I caught four with it in 30 minutes.I would have caught more but I had to leave, the biggest weighed 2 pounds.I would have done better but it was about 100 degrees outside.
For striped bass, I love the Stan Gibbs pencil popper, even if it does wear out your wrist and arm.
the Hulapopper is my favorite lure
the flatfish is mY favorite lure..caught a 24 3/4 inch rainbow on one of these about 2 months ago..comin back from the taxidermist soon
Daredevils are some of the best.
There is a great lure made in alberta, canada called the len thompson series-they are spoons, many different color patterns-i love them all-for any fishing i do.
how do you use the rigged? curly tail grub?
I love using a simple jig for a variety of species
Ive had the best luck using these lures,..
1) Devils Horse
2) double spin buzz bait
3)Pumpkin seed rubber worm with a rattler
4) Blue Fox Vibrax
Go Panther Martin.
One of my top 5 favorite lures. I have a few of them top tray of my bass box. About the only lure i've climbed trees and dove under logs for.
Smallmouth will eat'em up
you need to put up the zoom super fluke. put them on a size 2 worm hook texas rigged and just snake them along the top or just twitch them and let them sit either way its a great lure
caught 20 bass on a rapala hoola pooper over the weeds one day last fall smallest one was 15 inches ever since that day ive been poppin!
They forgot lure no. 51: A quarter stick of dynamite. Works EVERY time!
Post a Comment