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Best Fishing Lure Sets

Updated June 2022
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
PLUSINNO 102-Piece Fishing Lure Tackle Set
PLUSINNO
102-Piece Fishing Lure Tackle Set
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Comprehensive Kit
Bottom Line

A nice collection of durable lures that won't limit you in terms of where you fish or what you fish for.

Pros

102-piece tackle set. Lure types include frogs, crankbaits, spoon lures, poppers, and 3 different kinds of plastic worms. A nice collection of hard, soft, and metal lures. Good quality. Comes with a free tackle box.

Cons

Box was smaller than some buyers anticipated, and some claim that it arrived damaged.

Best Bang for the Buck
OPQ Fishing Lure Set
OPQ
Fishing Lure Set
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Best for Beginners
Bottom Line

A value-packed set of fishing lures that includes everything a beginner needs to make that first catch.

Pros

This well-made set of fishing lures comes with a small case for compact storage. The collection has lures suitable for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Included are a minnow, a frog, two shrimp, an abundance of soft plastic worms, and more.

Cons

It's hard to find fault with this comprehensive, affordably priced set of fishing lures.

Smartonly 275-Piece Fishing Lure Set
Smartonly
275-Piece Fishing Lure Set
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Good Variety
Bottom Line

With a whopping 275 pieces, you're sure to find something you like here. Just be aware that the colors they send may not be the colors you expect.

Pros

275-piece tackle set that includes frog lures, hard, soft, and metal lures, poppers, minnows, and accessories such as swivels and hooks. Good quality. For freshwater and saltwater fishing. Comes in a plastic tackle box.

Cons

The colors they send are random, so you won't necessarily get what you see in the product pictures. The hooks included here are very small.

RUNCL Topwater Frog Lures
RUNCL
Topwater Frog Lures
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Lifelike Frogs
Bottom Line

An affordable set of frog lures that look realistic and are designed to stay out of the weeds.

Pros

Frogs look very realistic. Eyes are 3D. Colors are vivid and eye-catching. Metal on the body helps them "sink" realistically. Users report success catching bass and muskies, among others.

Cons

Occasionally reports of bent hooks.

Dr.meter 136-Piece Fishing Lure Set
Dr.meter
136-Piece Fishing Lure Set
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Choice Selection
Bottom Line

A reasonably priced fishing lure set that has something for everyone, no matter what kind of fishing they prefer.

Pros

This impressive 136-piece set of lures includes spinners, crankbaits, soft plastic worms, frogs, and shrimp as well as a variety of hooks, sinkers, a rod bell, and more. The two-layer tackle box is dust-proof and shatter-resistant to withstand a little mishandling.

Cons

Some users feel that the smallest of the soft plastic lures isn’t large enough to catch the attention of a bass.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Models
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157
Consumers
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Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best fishing lure sets

If you love to fish, you can never have enough gear or bait. But live bait requires special storage and transportation; it can be heavy, messy, and smelly. An appealing alternative is the fishing lure.

Fishing lures are highly convenient and effective. They’re reusable and can help protect populations of bait species. Even if you prefer live bait, it’s a smart idea to have a comprehensive set of fishing lures as backup.

The best fishing lure set includes a sufficient number of the lures you prefer using. So, if you like using jigs, you probably want a set that contains an abundance of jigs but not necessarily an abundance of spinners. And while the individual lures in a set should be well-made, they shouldn't be so costly that you worry about losing one to the water.

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If you prefer to catch and release, lures are a better option than live bait because the fish are less likely to gulp the entire hook.

Types of fishing lures

Understanding the types of fishing lures available is key to purchasing a set that will satisfy your needs. Following are the most common types of fishing lures.

Spoons

Just as it sounds, a spoon is a curved lure that is shaped much like a spoon. It can be any size or color. When a spoon lure moves through the water, its shape causes it to wobble from side to side, imitating the motion of a wounded baitfish.

Spinners

Whether it's an inline spinner or a spinnerbait, bare or dressed, this type of lure has a blade or two that spins as the lure moves through the water. The motion, sound, and vibration created by the spinning action attracts fish. Often recommended for beginners, a spinner is one of the easier lures to use.

Flies

Typically made of fur or feathers, a dry fly lure is a lightweight lure designed to float on the water’s surface. The strategy is to imitate insects or other natural prey so the fish will swim to the surface and strike. Wet flies, on the other hand, are designed to be fished below the surface.

Plugs

Designed to resemble baitfish and other prey, plugs are hollow lures that can be fished at nearly any depth. They can be designed to move in a variety of ways and make rattling sounds when pulled. A common design is a lure that floats when stationary but dives when you reel it in. These lures have two or three treble hooks in them as well.

Jigs

One of the most versatile fishing lures is the jig. In the hands of a skilled individual, this affordable lure can catch nearly anything. Jigs come in a wide variety of sizes and colors, but the defining feature is the weighted head, which causes it to sink. A jig can be dressed however you desire. These fishing lures are best for experienced users.

Soft plastic baits

The quickest way to understand these lures is to think of a fake worm. Soft plastic baits may resemble any creature, from worm to frog. They may also resemble nothing at all. Soft plastic baits are used mostly for bass fishing and may be scented. The idea behind this type of lure is that the soft material encourages the fish to hold on a little longer than it would with a more solid bait, giving the angler extra time to set the hook.

Features

Hooks, sinkers, and more

Besides a variety of lures, a truly comprehensive fishing lure set may include additional hooks as well as sinkers, a fishing rod bell, and more.

Build quality

A reasonably priced fishing lure set may be a good value. However, price alone should not be the deciding factor because a set of 100 lures that all fall apart on the first cast isn’t a good deal. Look for a lure set with decent build quality. The best lures are durable enough for repeated use but not so costly that you’re afraid to lose them.

Quantity

Some shoppers are only looking for a few extra lures; others want a few hundred lures. The ideal set has enough lures to satisfy your needs. You will find sets with less than 20 pieces, well over 200 pieces, and many stops in between.

Diversity

If you love fly fishing and only fly fishing, you might not need or want a wide variety of lures. However, if you're new to fishing or want to experiment with different types of lures, a diverse set may be your best bet. To the novice, all lures may look the same — brightly colored objects with a variety of hooks — so be sure to scrutinize the contents of the set for variety.

Storage box

Most sizable fishing lure sets come with a storage box. If you don't already own a tackle box, it is important to purchase a set with a durable case that won't pop open or crack during transport.

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Caution
Be careful when using lures, as they can snag on a variety of underwater items.
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Fishing lure set prices

Inexpensive: If you’re looking for a small collection of lures, expect to spend between $10 and $20. These smaller sets usually include a handful of a single type of lure.

Mid-range: If you want more variety than a simple inexpensive set, expect to spend between $20 and $40. A variety of options exist here. You may get several hundred lures featuring spinners, spoons, jigs, soft plastic baits, plugs, and more. A plastic storage case is usually included. While this price range is the best place to look for quantity and variety, be wary of subpar lures, which can exist even in this price tier.

High-end: The top tier of fishing lure sets may cost from $40 to $150 or more. As the price climbs over $150, sets trend to a handful of high-quality, finely crafted lures of just one type. Note that since it can be tough to lose a $30 or $50 lure to the bottom of a lake, you might be unintentionally using a restrained technique to protect your investment. This may or may not have an impact on your fishing success.

Techniques for using lures

To help get you started using the lures in your new set, here are a few tips on technique.

  • If you are a beginner, the best way to use a spoon lure is to cast it out and reel it in at a steady, even pace. In this way, you imitate the pace of a wounded baitfish.
  • Spinners are the easiest lures for beginners to use. Just cast them out and reel them in. You can reel fast or slow; the lure does all the work for you.
  • If it's your first time fly fishing, dangle the lure from the end of your rod and lower it to the surface of the water. Let it drift a few inches, then pick it up and start again. This is easy to do, and the action closely mimics the egg-laying behavior of caddisflies and mayflies.
  • Using a plug lure requires a little bit of skill, but it can be a great deal of fun. After casting the lure, wait until the surface ripples dissipate before reeling it in a short distance. Stop suddenly, maybe give it a little jiggle, and reel it in a little more.
  • The toughest type of lure to use is the jig. Not only do you need to be engaged during the entire process, you must stay vigilant for strikes. The best method to try first is casting and allowing the lure to come to a rest on the bottom. The line will go slack when this happens. Pop it up by raising your rod tip. Then, reel it in just a tiny bit after it settles again.
  • One of the easier techniques to use with a soft plastic worm is to add a sinker and cast it out. When the line goes slack, the worm is on the bottom. Wiggle the tip of your rod a little to mimic movement. If this technique doesn’t get results, reel it in using the same technique you used for the jig lure to see if you can garner any interest.
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A lure uses a combination of movement, color, vibration, texture, and sometimes scent to help catch the attention of hungry fish. Lures contain barbed hooks to secure prey.

FAQ

Q. Can I use lures in cold water?
A.
Cold-water fishing can be challenging. Fish metabolism slows in the cold, so the fishing techniques that work in the spring and summer may no longer be effective. The key, as with everything, is getting out there and doing it. The fish world is slower and quieter in the cold, so start with a lure that won't spook the fish and work from there.
 

Q. Which type of fishing lure is the best?
A.
What raises one fish's curiosity may spook another. That is one of the reasons why purchasing a diverse fishing lure set is desirable. Keeping that in mind, the best lure for the individual may vary, but craftsmanship and build quality should always be top priorities.

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