Hardbaits

Hardbaits are solid artificial lures made of hard plastic or wood, whose action is created by their shape and diving lip. They deliver identical swimming characteristics with every cast and are classic active search lures for pike, zander, perch, and other predatory fish. In this category, you will find crankbaits and twitchbaits in various running depths, from shallow weed edges to the mid-water column. Metal lures with spinner blades or blade action like spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, tailspinners, and vibration baits can be found in the separate category metal lures.

What types of hardbaits are there

Hardbaits differ by shape, diving lip type, running depth, and action characteristics:

• Crankbait: Hardbait with a fixed diving lip, runs at a defined depth when retrieved steadily. Classic lure for searching and cover fishing.
• Shallow Runner (SR): shallow running depth, typically 0.1 to 1 m, ideal for weed edges and flooded structures.
• Medium Runner (MR): medium running depth, typically 0.5 to 1.5 m, the all-rounder for plateau edges.
• Deep Runner (DR): deep running depth, typically 1.5 to 3 m, for deeper plateau edges and mid-water structures.
• Floating Crankbait: floating, rises slowly when stopped, perfect for stop-and-go retrieves over obstacles.
• Twitchbait: Hardbait with erratic action triggered by jerky rod movements. Calm when retrieved steadily, aggressive and uncontrolled when twitched. Classic for cautious predators.
• Suspending Twitchbait: suspends at the set depth when stopped, without rising or sinking. Opens bite windows for reluctant fish.

Which hardbait for which use

The choice of the right hardbait depends on the target fish, water depth, water clarity, and lure presentation.

• Pike over shallow plateaus and in weed beds: Twitchbait Shallow Runner or Crankbait SR. Both run just below the surface without constantly snagging.
• Pike in deeper areas and at plateau edges: Crankbait Deep Runner or Twitchbait MR/DR. Reach the mid-water column with controlled depth presentation.
• Zander at current edges and hard bottoms: Twitchbait Medium Runner. Aggressive twitch action provokes stationary fish to bite.
• Perch in clear water: small crankbait (50 to 75 mm) as Shallow Runner. Subtle action, high lure distance within sight range.
• Asp at the surface: Floating Crankbait or small SR. Provokes surface attacks during summer months.
• Trout and grayling: mini crankbaits in 50 mm. Finesse class with light casting weights on UL spinning rods.

Material and construction

Hardbaits are made from two main materials:

• Hard plastic (ABS, polycarbonate): standard for modern crankbaits and twitchbaits. Light, dimensionally stable, precisely reproducible in mass production. Ensures identical swimming characteristics for every lure in a batch.
• Wood (balsa, cedar): premium material for handcrafted hardbaits. Provides unique swimming characteristics through natural buoyancy distribution; each lure is individual.

Modern hardbait constructions often use a magnetic weight transfer system, a movable casting weight distribution inside. During the cast, the weight slides to the back for maximum casting distance; upon landing, it shifts back to the swimming position. This results in casting distance plus clean swimming characteristics in one lure.

Lead-free hardbaits

An increasing number of modern hardbaits are completely lead-free. There are two reasons: first, lead is banned in several countries (Netherlands, Scandinavia) for fishing tournaments and in some waters; second, anglers without legal requirements increasingly choose the more ecological option. Lead-free hardbaits use alternative casting weight materials such as tin-bismuth or steel. Manufacturers compensate for the lower specific gravity of the lead-free alloy through shape and volume so that the swimming characteristics remain identical to lead constructions.

Hook setup

High-quality hardbaits come factory-equipped with sharp, hardened treble hooks. Well-known hook brands in this class are BKK Spear 21-SS with Super Slide Coating for maximum penetration, Owner ST-36, and VMC. Crankbaits usually have two trebles (on the belly and tail), twitchbaits have two or three trebles depending on body length. Those who want to upgrade their hardbaits can find high-quality trebles and split rings as tuning components in the range.

Related categories

Those looking for lures with spinner blades, bladed jig action, or vibration characteristics will find them in the category metal lures. There you will find spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, tailspinners, spoons, and vibration baits. For soft rubber lures with tail action, go to the category softbaits.