FishUSA Angler Resources

​Best Lures for River Fishing

By: FishUSA Staff

July 30, 2024

River fishing presents unique challenges and opportunities that differ from fishing in lakes or oceans. To make the most of your river fishing experience, selecting the right lures is crucial. In this guide, we'll dive into the best lures for river fishing, helping you make informed choices that can enhance your success on the water.

River fishing presents unique challenges and opportunities that differ from fishing in lakes or oceans. To make the most of your river fishing experience, selecting the right lures is crucial. In this guide, we'll dive into the best lures for river fishing, helping you make informed choices that can enhance your success on the water.

Table of Contents

  • Understanding River Fishing
  • Best River Fishing Lures
  • Crankbaits
  • Jerkbaits
  • Spinners
  • Soft Plastics
  • Jigs
  • Topwater
  • Spoons
  • Final Thoughts

Understanding River Fishing

Rivers have distinct characteristics such as flowing water, varying depths, and diverse aquatic life. These factors influence the type of lures that will be most effective. When choosing lures, consider the following:

  • Current Strength: Strong currents may require heavier lures to stay in the strike zone.
  • Water Clarity: Clear water calls for natural colors, while murky water benefits from bright or noisy lures.
  • Fish Species: Target species like bass, trout, or catfish may prefer different types of lures.

Best River Fishing Lures

Crankbaits

Crankbaits are versatile and effective for river fishing. Their wobbling action mimics injured baitfish, attracting predatory species like bass and pike.

Recommended Use: Cast upstream and retrieve with the current to cover more water.

Our Top Picks

Why Crankbaits Are Effective

Crankbaits cover a wide range of depths and water conditions. Their built-in action and ability to dive make them suitable for exploring different river sections, from shallow banks to deeper pools. The lifelike appearance and wobbling motion are irresistible to many predatory fish.

Tips for Using Crankbaits

  1. Vary Retrieval Speed: Adjust your retrieval speed to find what triggers the most strikes.
  2. Bounce Off Structures: Allow the crankbait to deflect off rocks and submerged objects to create erratic movements.
  3. Use the Right Depth: Choose crankbaits with different diving depths to match the specific areas you are fishing.

Jerkbaits

Jerkbaits are slender, minnow-shaped lures designed to mimic the erratic swimming action of an injured baitfish. They are excellent for targeting aggressive fish species like bass, pike, and walleye.

Recommended Use: Cast near structures or drop-offs and retrieve with sharp, jerking motions to create an erratic swimming pattern.

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Why Jerkbaits Are Effective

Jerkbaits excel in clear water where their lifelike appearance and action can be fully appreciated by fish. The erratic movements created by jerking the rod tip during retrieval trigger predatory instincts, prompting fish to strike. They are particularly effective during the colder months when fish are less active and require more provocation.

Tips for Using Jerkbaits

  1. Pause and Twitch: Incorporate pauses in your retrieve to allow the lure to suspend, mimicking a dying baitfish. Follow with quick twitches to provoke strikes.
  2. Depth Control: Use jerkbaits with different diving depths to cover various water columns and find where the fish are holding.
  3. Adjust to Conditions: Clear water calls for natural or translucent colors, while cloudy water benefits from brighter hues and more pronounced patterns.

Spinners

Spinners are compact lures that use a rotating blade to create flash and vibration in the water, making them highly effective at attracting a variety of fish species.

Recommended Use: Cast across current seams or alongside structures and retrieve with a steady or varied speed.

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Why Spinners Are Effective

The spinning blade on these lures generates both visual and vibrational cues, which can attract fish from a distance, even in murky waters. Their simplicity and effectiveness make them a staple in any angler's tackle box, particularly for trout, bass, and panfish.

Tips for Using Spinners

  1. Vary Retrieve Speed: Change your retrieve speed to find the most effective presentation.
  2. Target Current Edges: Focus on areas where fast and slow water meet, as fish often hold there waiting for food to drift by.
  3. Experiment with Blade Colors: Different colored blades can make a big difference depending on the light and water conditions.

Soft Plastics

Soft plastic lures like worms, grubs, and swimbaits offer lifelike action and can be rigged in various ways. They are great for targeting species like smallmouth bass and walleye.

Recommended Use: Use a jig head or Texas rig for effective bottom bouncing.

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Why Soft Plastics Are Effective

Soft plastics mimic a wide range of prey species, from worms to small fish. Their realistic texture and movement make them appealing to fish, especially in pressured or clear waters. They can be fished in numerous ways, including Texas rigging, Carolina rigging, and drop-shotting.

Tips for Using Soft Plastics

  1. Match the Hatch: Choose colors and shapes that resemble local prey.
  2. Use Scented Baits: Scented soft plastics can attract more bites in certain conditions.
  3. Rigging Techniques: Experiment with different rigging methods to find the most effective presentation.

Jigs

Jigs are ideal for fishing deep holes and pockets where fish tend to hold. Their weighted heads allow them to sink quickly, making them perfect for strong currents.

Recommended Use: Bounce along the bottom near rocks and structures.

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Why Jigs Are Effective

Jigs are incredibly versatile and can be used in various environments, from shallow banks to deep holes. Their ability to mimic crayfish and other bottom-dwelling creatures makes them a favorite among bass and walleye anglers. The weighted head ensures they reach the desired depth quickly, even in strong currents.

Tips for Using Jigs

  1. Hopping and Dragging: Use a hopping or dragging motion to imitate the movement of prey.
  2. Change Trailers: Add or switch soft plastic trailers to adjust the jig's profile and action.
  3. Focus on Structure: Target areas with rocks, logs, and other structures where fish are likely to hide.

Topwater Lures

Topwater lures create exciting surface strikes, making them a favorite for many anglers. They are particularly effective during low light conditions or when fish are actively feeding on the surface.

Recommended Use: Cast near banks, logs, and vegetation during dawn or dusk.

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Why Topwater Lures Are Effective

Topwater lures create a commotion on the water surface, attracting fish from a distance. The visual and auditory appeal of these lures can trigger aggressive strikes, especially from species like bass and pike. They are most effective when fish are actively feeding near the surface.

Tips for Using Topwater Lures

  1. Walk the Dog: Use a zigzag motion to create an enticing action.
  2. Pause and Go: Incorporate pauses in your retrieve to mimic struggling prey.
  3. Fish Low Light Conditions: Use topwater lures during early morning, late evening, or cloudy days for best results.

Spoons

Spoons are time-tested lures known for their simplicity and effectiveness. Their wobbling motion and reflective surface mimic the movements of injured baitfish, making them highly attractive to predatory fish.

Recommended Use: Cast upstream and let the spoon flutter down with the current, then retrieve with varying speeds.

Our Top Picks

Why Spoons Are Effective

Spoons are versatile and can be used in various water conditions, from calm pools to fast-flowing rapids. Their unique shape allows them to reflect light and create vibrations, attracting fish from a distance. They are particularly effective for targeting species like trout, salmon, and pike.

Tips for Using Spoons

  1. Adjust Weight: Use heavier spoons in strong currents to maintain control and reach deeper areas.
  2. Vary Retrieval: Experiment with different retrieval speeds and techniques, such as jigging or steady cranking, to entice bites.
  3. Color Selection: Bright colors work well in murky water, while silver or gold finishes are ideal for clear water.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best lures for river fishing involves understanding the river environment and the preferences of the fish you're targeting. By considering the factors discussed in this guide and experimenting with different lures, you can increase your chances of a successful and enjoyable river fishing experience. Whether you're after bass, trout, or any other species, the right lure can make all the difference.

Remember, the key to successful river fishing is not only the lure you choose but also your ability to adapt and learn from each outing. Tight lines and happy fishing!