Bait

Baits, also known as artificial lures or lures in technical terms, are all artificially made imitations of prey fish, crustaceans, insects, and other prey animals used for fishing predatory fish. In modern spinning, baitcasting, and vertical fishing, artificial lures cover the entire spectrum of active predator presentation, from micro-finesse for perch to targeted big bait fishing for trophy pike. In the range, you will find carefully selected lures from renowned manufacturers in four main categories: Softbaits, Hardbaits, Metal Lures, and Swimbaits.

An Overview of the Four Main Lure Categories

Each main category has its own characteristics, applications, and strengths. Understanding the interplay of the four classes means having the right tool for every water situation.

• Softbaits: soft artificial lures made of rubber, whose action is created by material flexibility and tail shape. From paddle-tail shads to pintails, V-tails, curly tails, sickle tails, creature baits, and big baits. The most fished lure class in modern predator fishing.
• Hardbaits: solid artificial lures made of hard plastic or wood with a diving lip. Crankbaits run at a defined depth when retrieved steadily, twitchbaits show erratic action through rod work. Classic active search lures.
• Metal Lures: lures with a dominant metal component, whose action is created by spinner blades, blades, or vibration. Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, tailspinners, vibration baits, and spoons. Power fishing class with maximum casting distance and fast sinking behavior.
• Swimbaits: hyper-realistic prey fish imitations, often multi-part or jointed, that almost perfectly mimic a swimming fish. Glide baits, soft swimbaits, and hard swimbaits. The top class for targeted fishing for large predators, especially pike and zander.

Which Lure Category for Which Predator

The choice of the right lure category depends on the target fish, water type, and application.

• Pike (general): all four categories are effective. Big baits from the softbait class and swimbaits are the specialist classes for targeted trophy fishing, spinnerbaits and chatterbaits from the metal lure class for active searching, crankbaits and twitchbaits from the hardbait class for defined depth control.
• Zander: softbaits on jig heads as standard, twitchbaits on current edges, tailspinners and vibration baits for vertical fishing in deeper areas.
• Perch: small softbaits on drop-shot or jig heads as standard, mini crankbaits and spinnerbaits for active searching, creature baits on Texas rigs for cover.
• Bass and Large Bass: creature baits on Texas rigs or skirted jigs, curly tail worms on wacky rigs, spinnerbaits and chatterbaits in cover.
• Trout, Grayling, and Asp: small hardbaits, classic spinners from the metal lure class, micro softbaits.
• Catfish: big baits from the softbait class, pilkers, and heavy vibration baits.

Modern Predator Fishing: Active and Targeted

Active predator fishing with artificial lures is a discipline characterized by targeted lure control, precise spot presentation, and communication with the fish through vibration, pressure waves, and optics. Unlike stationary fishing with natural baits, the angler actively moves the lure through the water, provokes bites, and reads the fish’s reactions. Choosing the right lure is the most important factor alongside water selection.

Lead-Free Lures as a Growing Standard

An increasing share of modern artificial lures is completely lead-free designed. There are two reasons for this: first, lead is banned in the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and some German waters during fishing tournaments and generally; second, anglers without legal requirements are increasingly opting for the more ecological option. Lead-free lures use tin-bismuth alloys, steel, or tungsten instead of lead. The range includes a growing selection of lead-free lures across all categories.

High-Quality Materials and Thoughtful Construction

Only lures that meet our quality standards make it into the range. This means specifically: high-quality treble hooks from renowned brands like BKK with Super Slide Coating, thoughtful construction features like Magnetic Weight Transfer in hardbaits, pike-bite-resistant skirts on spinnerbaits and chatterbaits, phthalate-free material blends in softbaits, and aroma-infused premium rubber lures. This is not a run-of-the-mill assortment but a consciously curated selection.

Recommended Starting Points

If you are new to modern predator fishing, here is a recommendation for starting in each main category:

• Softbait Entry: paddle tail shad in 4 to 5 inches on a jig head. Universal for perch, zander, and small pike.
• Hardbait Entry: crankbait shallow runner in 65 to 75 mm. Consistent action, reliably catches fish.
• Metal Lure Entry: spinnerbait medium or chatterbait medium with 14 g. Cover lure with high attraction.
• Swimbait Entry: smaller glide bait or soft swimbait. A class of its own that requires some practice but catches fish selectively.