FishUSA Angler Resources

Best Steelhead Lures: Top Picks for Catching More Steelhead

By: FishUSA Staff

November 8, 2024

Steelhead are known for their strong fight and difficulty to fool into biting, making them one of the most sought-after game fish. To increase your chances of landing one, selecting the right lure is crucial. This article will introduce some of the best lures for steelhead fishing, ranging from spoons and spinners to soft plastics and beads. Each lure has its advantages, depending on the fishing conditions and your preferred technique.

Steelhead are known for their strong fight and difficulty to fool into biting, making them one of the most sought-after game fish. To increase your chances of landing one, selecting the right lure is crucial. This article will introduce some of the best lures for steelhead fishing, ranging from spoons and spinners to soft plastics and beads. Each lure has its advantages, depending on the fishing conditions and your preferred technique.

Table of Contents

  • Best Steelhead Lures
  • ACME Little Cleo Spoons
  • Blue Fox Classic Vibrax Spinners
  • Berkley PowerBait Minnow
  • VooDoo Custom Tackle Marabou Jigs
  • TroutBeads Beads
  • Yakima Mag Lip Lures
  • WFO Coldwater Steelhead Worms
  • Steelhead Lure Buying Guide
  • Final Thoughts

Best Steelhead Lures

ACME Little Cleo Spoons

Buy ACME Little Cleo Spoons

ACME Little Cleo Spoons are legendary for their unique wobble and flash, mimicking an injured baitfish. This movement triggers predatory responses from steelhead, making them ideal for firing up aggressive steelhead and getting them to strike. The versatile design is effective whether you’re casting or trolling.

Recommended Steelhead Fishing Specifications:

  • Weight: 1/8 oz, 1/4 oz, 2/5 oz, 3/4 oz
  • Material: Metal construction
  • Best Use: Casting for staging steelhead, swinging in fast moving deep runs, trolling in deep water
  • Colors: Diamond Neon Blue, Nickel, Gold, Gold Fire Stripe

Blue Fox Classic Vibrax Spinners

Buy Blue Fox Classic Vibrax Spinners

Blue Fox Classic Vibrax Spinners are excellent for steelhead in both clear and murky water conditions, thanks to a flash and vibration that steelhead can see and feel from a great distance. The Vibrax features a unique two-part bell body construction that emits low-frequency sound vibrations, adding further to the spinner’s fish catching ability. These spinners are a go-to choice when steelhead are aggressive, especially in warmer months when they are more willing to move to grab a lure.

Recommended Steelhead Fishing Specifications:

  • Sizes: #2, #3, #4
  • Blade Type: Inline spinner
  • Material: Brass stamped blade, stainless steel shaft
  • Best Use: Casting for staging steelhead, shallow rapids, tailouts of deep holes
  • Colors: Bleeding Gold, Chartreuse Tipped-Silver Flake, Silver-Chrome Blue

Berkley PowerBait Minnow

Buy Berkley PowerBait Minnow

The Berkley PowerBait Minnow is a soft plastic bait infused with Berkley’s signature scent formula, which is irresistible to steelhead. These minnows excel in colder water conditions when steelhead are less aggressive and prefer slower presentations. They are also deadly for steelhead that are primarily feeding on baitfish, typically in the lower sections of tributaries. Rig them on a jig head and drift them under a float for great results.

Recommended Steelhead Fishing Specifications:

  • Length: 2-inch to 3-inch models
  • Material: Soft plastic with PowerBait scent
  • Best Use: Jigging or float fishing in cold water or for baitfish oriented steelhead
  • Colors: Pearl White, Black Shad, and Smelt patterns

VooDoo Custom Tackle Marabou Jigs

Buy VooDoo Custom Tackle Marabou Jigs

VooDoo Custom Tackle Marabou Jigs are an exceptional choice for float fishing. The natural motion of the marabou fibers mimics baitfish or aquatic insects, making them especially effective when fished slowly in cold water. These jigs are often used under a float to target steelhead holding in slower-moving pools.

Recommended Steelhead Fishing Specifications:

  • Weight: 1/16 oz, 1/8 oz, 1/4 oz
  • Material: Marabou fibers for natural movement
  • Best Use: Float fishing or slow jigging in cold water
  • Colors: Gold Plate-Olive, Green Chartreuse-Black, White Pearl-Grey-White

TroutBeads Beads

Buy TroutBeads Beads

TroutBeads are designed to mimic what may be a steelhead’s favorite food— eggs. These small, plastic beads are especially effective during the spawning season when steelhead are keyed in on eggs. When drifted naturally through the current, they are nearly irresistible to steelhead holding near spawning beds.

Recommended Steelhead Fishing Specifications:

  • Sizes: 6mm, 8mm, 10mm
  • Material: Neutrally buyonat plastic
  • Best Use: Drift fishing or float fishing in rivers
  • Colors: Blood Dot Chartreuse Pearl, Glow Roe, Sun Orange

Yakima Mag Lip Lures

Buy Yakima Mag Lip Lures

TheYakima Mag Lip offers an erratic "skip beat" action that mimics a distressed baitfish. These lures excel in both slow and fast trolling setups, providing enough versatility for different water conditions. The Mag Lip is particularly effective for covering large areas of water when trolling for aggressive steelhead or for holding in current. 

Recommended Steelhead Fishing Specifications:

  • Sizes: 2.5-inch to 4.5-inch models
  • Action: Skip beat action for erratic movement
  • Best Use: Trolling in lakes or slow water, holding in fast water
  • Colors: Cowgirl, Double Trouble, Fish Monger 

WFO Coldwater Steelhead Worms

Buy WFO Coldwater Steelhead Worms

WFO Coldwater Steelhead Worms are soft plastic worms designed specifically for steelhead. These worms are excellent for triggering aggression strikes in steelhead, as they are large and obnoxious. Fish them under a float amd drift them through deeper pools for best results.

Recommended Steelhead Fishing Specifications:

  • Length: 4-inch to 6-inch worms
  • Material: Soft plastic
  • Best Use: Float fishing in cold water
  • Colors: JP Red Dream, Steel Gum Glow Tail, Steeltreuse

Buying Guide: What to Consider When Choosing Steelhead Lures

Water Conditions

The clarity and flow of the water dictate which lure type will be most effective. In clear water, stick to more natural colors and try to use lures such as spoons, spinners, and Mag Lips to trigger an aggression strike. In dirty water, use brighter colors to help steelhead find your bait. 

Season

Steelhead behavior changes with the seasons. In colder months, slower presentations like jigs, beads, and soft plastics are effective. During warmer months, aggressive steelhead respond well to faster-moving lures like spinners and spoons. Adjust your lure choice based on seasonal fish behavior.

Presentation

Steelhead lures come in various types, each excelling in different presentations:

  • Jigging: Use marabou jigs or PowerBait Minnows under a float for a slower presentation when fish are less active. Lightly jig them by shaking the rod tip to trigger a strike. 
  • Casting: Spoons like the Little Cleo or spinners like the Vibrax are ideal for casting into deeper pools or fast-moving water.
  • Trolling: Lures like the Yakima Mag Lip are best suited for trolling in larger rivers and lakes.

Size and Color

Steelhead are often finicky about both the size and color of lures. Smaller lures in natural colors work well in clear water and for finicky fish, while larger, brighter lures are effective in stained water or for attracting more aggressive fish.

Lure Material and Action

Choose lures based on their action in the water. Spoons and spinners provide erratic movement and flash, while jigs and soft plastics offer a more natural, subtle presentation. Consider the material as well—metal for spoons and spinners for durability, and soft plastics for lifelike movement.

Final Thoughts

Selecting the right lure for steelhead fishing is key to a successful day on the water. Whether you're casting spinners, jigging with soft plastics, or trolling in deep rivers, the lures in this guide offer proven results. Match your lure to the water conditions, season, and fishing technique, and you’ll be well on your way to landing more steelhead.

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