Lure Fishing Basics: A Beginner's Guide
If you’re new to lure fishing, you’re in the right place! Getting started doesn’t require high-end gear—while those $1,000+ rod and reel combos are great, they’re not necessary for beginners. You might even have suitable gear already or can easily find an affordable combo to get the hang of it. A basic softbait rod and reel setup is more than enough to start, and when paired with sliding-style lures like our Rattlaz or F-281 Bombs, you’ll be filling your bin before you know it.
In fact, we’ve even used a 4-foot kids’ rod, spooled with braid, no leader, and just a jig clipped on the end to prove it can be done with minimal investment—around $65! It wasn’t perfect, but it did the job and showed just how accessible lure fishing can be.
One of my early favorite setups was a Shimano Katana softbait rod I picked up from the clearance bin at a local tackle store, paired with a no-name baitcasting reel. This simple setup turned out to be the perfect starting point for learning the basics of lure fishing and really kicked off my journey.
In the following sections, we’ll dive into the key essentials for getting the most out of your lure fishing experience. We’ll go over the best knots to use, how to rig up each of our lures, and effective techniques to make them irresistible to fish. We’ll also suggest some additional products that can enhance your setup to give you an extra edge. Whether you’re new to lure fishing or looking to refine your approach, these tips and tricks will help you maximize your results on the water.
Knots:
Knots are the most important part to master here, I truly recommend sitting down on a rainy day and practicing these until you can do them quickly and confidently. There is nothing more gutting than fighting your PB fish only to pull up a pigtail of disappointment. If you are not happy with how you knot looks, cut it off and tie it again. “She’ll be right” will only end in tears and lost lures. So with all the knots out there what do you need? How will you choose..? Keep it simple, you are going to be tying these on the water, sometimes in less than ideal conditions.
For braid to leader there are 2 options. The FG knot which is strong and slimline, passes through the guides with ease. Or the Albright knot which is fast and simple to tie but a bit bulkier to get through the guides. Both of these are great knots that won’t let you down if tied correctly.
Moving on to the business end of your rig, my go-to knot for connecting to lures is a simple Uni knot. There is no need to use anything else and it’s really easy to cut off and retie when changing lures. I do not recommend using clips on sliding lures as they impede the action but have seen them used successfully on slow pitch lures but keep in mind it’s another point in your rig that can fail.
Remember to check your leader line often for nicks and abrasions, especially after catching a few fish.
Rattlaz / Rattlaz XL:
Sliding style lures like these are great for prospecting and fishing the whole water column.
When rigged up and ready to go, drop them over the side to the sea floor. Once you hit the bottom use a slow wind to retrieve, if you get a bite don’t stop or strike just keep the slow wind going and they will hook themselves. These lures are also great just dropped to the bottom, wind up a turn or to and leave to hang out in the rod holder while you fish another lure.
The Rattlaz are also great in the fact you can rig them 2 ways for different effects. Always pass the leader line through the head and tie to the solid ring on the skirt.
Method 1: Turn the head so the little eyes are facing back towards the skirt and when you drop it over the head will break away and dive down ahead of the skirt for that great slider action.
Method 2: Turn the head with the little eyes facing forwards back up the leader and the head and skirt will stay together as one and dive down faster through the water column.
This is particularly handy if you have a layer of smaller or undesirable fish you want to get through to the targets below or the drift or current is a bit to fast to get the lure all the way down
Hot Tip: When prospecting I always recommend putting down a skirted lure and a slow pitch to see what is working on the day.
F-281 Bombs:
Much the same as the Rattlaz this is a sliding lure designed to keep direct contact with the fish without the lure head putting extra pressure on the hook. When the fish shakes its head the lure will slide away from the hooks so the fish can’t lever itself free.
To rig these bad boys hold the lure by the black plastic slide, you will see the slide sits at a 45 ish degree angle. Pass your leader through from the top side down and tie to your solid ring on the skirt. This has proven the most successful in all our testing.
This has proven the most successful in all our testing.
Just like our Rattlaz once you are rigged up and ready to go, drop them over the side to the sea floor. Once you hit the bottom use a slow wind to retrieve, if you get a bite don’t stop or strike just keep the slow wind going and they will hook themselves.
Hot Tip: When prospecting I always recommend putting down a skirted lure and a slow pitch to see what is working on the day.
Fluffa Skirts: The Secret Weapon You Didn’t Know You Needed
Fluffa Skirts are a surprisingly versatile piece of kit that can add serious flair to your setup. When to use them? That’s entirely up to you—there are no strict rules here, so feel free to experiment.
Originally designed to pair with sliding-style lures, Fluffa Skirts add extra movement and bulk, making your lure more tempting, especially when the bite is slow. But don’t be fooled into thinking that’s all they’re good for.
These skirts are a multitasking marvel. They’ve been spotted on bait rigs, stray lines, drone and long-line rigs, and even slipped directly over a softbait jig head. They’re like the Swiss Army knife of the fishing world—ready to enhance whatever you’re rigging up!
For a classic setup with our sliding-style Rattlaz or F-281 Bombs, just follow these easy steps: pass your leader through the lure head, then through the black rubber center of the Fluffa Skirt, and finally tie it off to the solid ring of the skirt you’re using. Voilà! You’re rigged up and ready to take on a monster catch.
Scrat, Frenzy, and Twitch Lures: The Small but Mighty Trio
These three lures—Scrat, Frenzy, and Twitch—go by many names: slow-pitch jigs, super light jigs, or simply “the ones that get the job done.” Though each has its own unique movement in the water, you can rig and fish them the same way. They’re perfect for those days when the fish turn their noses up at skirted lures, and they’re a must-have addition to your tackle box.
When prospecting, it’s a smart move to send down both a skirted lure and a slow-pitch jig to test the waters. Fish preferences can change from school to school, so having both options in play lets you figure out what’s hitting that day.
Each of these lures comes pre-rigged with either a single or double assist hook, depending on the size, so you’re ready to fish straight out of the packet. We also offer replacements and upgrades on the website for those looking to customize.
To rig up, tie your leader to the solid ring, and you’re set. Now, while everyone has their own style for fishing these, I like to keep it simple: cast ahead of your drift, let the lure sink to the bottom, and then give it a flick and a wind to mimic an injured baitfish. Often, a fish will strike on the drop or just after a few twitches and winds off the bottom.
Scrat Hot Tip: Want a little extra action? Try putting a slight bend in the Scrat lure. Studies say a 5-degree bend is optimal, but this varies based on lure size and the speed of your drift. Start with a small bend, drop it down, and give it a strong pull in the water. If your rod tip starts vibrating like it does when you’re trolling a kahawai spinner, you’ve nailed it!
Gurnard Grabbas: Shallow Water’s Secret Weapon
Meet the Gurnard Grabbas—a fresh addition to our lineup and an absolute game-changer in shallow water. As the name hints, they’re excellent for luring in bottom-dwelling gurnard (a favorite of many), but don’t be surprised when snapper, kahawai, and trevally also fall for it.
Technically a sliding lure, the 1/2 oz tungsten head keeps the Gurnard Grabba snug against the skirt, creating a compact profile that bottom-feeders love. Rigging is simple: run your leader through the head, tie off to the solid ring of the skirt, and you’re ready to go. The whole setup weighs in at just 18g, perfect for depths between 2-8 meters, and on a calm day, it can even reach 15-20 meters—just give it a bit of time to settle.
The thin, curly tails of the skirt twist and sway in the current, tempting even the wariest fish. If you’re a bait enthusiast looking to dip a toe into lure fishing, or if you want to make that pack of squid last all day, this is the lure to start with! Just cut small, 1/4-inch squares of squid, hook them onto the super-sharp hooks, toss it overboard, and get ready for dinner.
The best part? This lure is as versatile as they come. You can cast it and twitch it like a softbait or simply drop it and let it work the bottom like a slider. Either way, get ready to have some fun—there’s nothing like watching a fish dart up to grab your lure in the shallows.
