When you’re serious about saltwater fishing, having the right lures can mean the difference between a mediocre trip and a banner day on the water. Below are ten must-have lures that deserve a spot in every saltwater tackle box—along with their key benefits and direct links to help you easily grab them at TheTackleRoom.com.
1. Skirted Trolling Lure
Why You Need It:
For offshore anglers chasing mahi-mahi, wahoo, or sailfish, skirted trolling lures are a staple. They can be run in a spread or paired with ballyhoo.
Key Benefits :
- Vibrant Skirt Colors: Draw attention from far below the surface.
- Resilient Material: Resistant to tearing and fading after repeated use.
- Versatile Speeds: Effective at a wide range of trolling speeds.
Where to Get It:
Epic Fishing Trolling Lures
2. Spoon Lure
Why You Need It:
A spoon’s wobbling action and flash trigger predatory instincts in fish like bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and bonito.
Key Benefits :
- Chrome or Gold Plating: Creates brilliant reflections underwater.
- Wide Trolling Range: Can be effectively trolled at various speeds.
- Streamlined Shape: Casts long distances from shore or boat.
What size Hook for my Spoon?
The "0/0" (aught) system is vital in trolling spoons because it provides a standardized way to match the hook’s size to your target species, maintain the spoon’s action, and ensure the durability required for saltwater fishing. When you see a 2/0, 3/0, or 5/0 designation on a spoon or replacement hook, you’ll know exactly how big—and how strong—that hook is, so you can select the right setup for the conditions and the fish you want to catch.
Where to Get It:
Clarkspoon Trolling Spoons
3. Bucktail Jigs & Sea Witches
Why You Need It:
The bucktail jig is a classic, versatile lure that can be worked inshore for fluke (summer flounder) or offshore for snapper and grouper.
Key Benefits ( Bucktail ) :
- Hand-Tied Bucktail: Natural pulsating motion that fish love.
- Heavy-Duty Hook: Holds up to trophy-sized catches.
- Proven Versatility: Swim it, bounce it on the bottom, or use it for vertical jigging.
Where to Get It:
Shop Bucktail Jigs
Key Benefits ( Sea Witch ) :
- Hand-Tied Sea witch: with vibrate colors .
- Versatility: Sea witches can be used for a variety of fishing techniques, such as trolling, bottom fishing, and drift fishing. They work well for catching many species of fish, including tuna, marlin, wahoo, and dorado, making them a versatile option for anglers targeting different fish.
- Adaptable to Different Bait: Sea witch lures are often used with live or dead bait, which enhances their effectiveness.
Where to Get It:
Shop Epic Sea Witch
4. Soft Plastic Swimbait
Why You Need It:
Soft plastics effectively imitate small baitfish. They can be rigged weedless for shallow flats or on a jig head for deeper structure.
Key Benefits :
- Life-Like Action: Tail design creates irresistible vibration.
- Durable Plastic Formula: Lasts through multiple strikes.
- Scent-Infused Option: Attracts fish when visibility is low.
Where to Get It:
Check Out Our Best-Selling Swimbaits
5. Jig Heads
Why You Need It:
Metal jigs excel in offshore and deep-water environments—ideal for targeting tuna, amberjack, grouper, and many other game fish.
Key Benefits :
- High-Density Design: Sinks quickly for vertical jigging in strong currents.
- Reflective Finish: Mimics baitfish flashes to incite aggressive strikes.
- Versatile Retrieval Speeds: Effective for both fast and slow jigging techniques.
- Compatibility : These metal jigs can be paired up with soft plastics, dead, or live bait to give it extra sauce to the prize fish!
Where to Get It:
Grab a High-Density Metal Jig
6. Topwater Pencil Plug
Why You Need It:
Similar to poppers, pencil plugs excel at drawing explosive surface strikes from striped bass, jack crevalle, and other aggressive surface feeders.
Key Benefits :
- Slender Profile: Imitates needlefish or sand eels.
- Weight Transfer System: Allows for maximum casting distance.
- Walk-The-Dog Action: Easily creates a lifelike zig-zag movement.
Where to Get It:
Explore Pencil Plugs
7. Casting Jig (Butterfly Jig)
Why You Need It:
Butterfly or speed jigs are designed for rapid vertical jigging—perfect for targeting pelagics like tuna, king mackerel, and wahoo.
Key Benefits :
- Hydrodynamic Shape: Cuts through water quickly for deep drops.
- 3D Holographic Finish: Produces flashes and reflections as it flutters.
- Assist Hooks Included: Increases hook-up ratios when fish strike on the drop.
Where to Get It:
Pick Up a Epic Casting/Butterfly Jig
8. Soft Plastic Shrimp
Why You Need It:
For inshore fishing—especially when targeting redfish, snook, and speckled trout—soft plastic shrimp are a must-have.
Key Benefits :
- Realistic Shrimp Profile: Draws strikes from crustacean-feeding predators.
- Natural Sinking Rate: Mimics live shrimp movement in the water column.
- Pre-Scented Options: Adds an extra attractant advantage.
Where to Get It:
Grab a Soft Plastic Shrimp
9. Popper Chugger
Why You Need It:
For those days when you need to churn up a frenzy, a chugger-style popper displaces more water, enticing fish to come crashing in.
Key Benefits :
- Cup-Faced Head: Creates a loud “pop” and splash to wake up the surface.
- Rugged Construction: Withstands repeated strikes from hard-hitting game fish.
- Bright Color Patterns: Improves visibility in low-light or choppy conditions.
Where to Get It:
Shop Our Chugger Poppers
10. Tuna Feather (or Trolling Feather)
- Mimics Small Baitfish: Tuna feathers are designed to simulate the appearance of a small school of baitfish, attracting larger predators.
- Ideal for Trolling: Works well when trolled behind the boat, providing great action in the water.
- Attracts Big Game: Particularly effective for larger fish like marlin and tuna that feed on schools of smaller fish.
Check out more must-have gear at TheTackleRoom.com and prepare for your next saltwater adventure today!
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to browse our Terminal Tackle Section for leader material, hooks, and swivels—because even the best lure won’t perform without the right rigging and line connections.