How to Pick Deep Sea Fishing Lures

Fishing lures come in an infinite variety of styles and models--almost as many as there are fish in the sea. Selecting the right one for a deep sea fishing trip can be confusing, especially if you haven't had much experience. However, you can train yourself to pick the right fishing lures for the job every time.

Instructions

1. Study the types of fish you want to catch and see what attracts them. Different fish eat different things and thus are attracted to different types of bait. Almost all lures are designed to mimic the fish's desired food, so find the ones that most closely match that of the fish you intend to catch.

2. Learn about other aspects of the deep sea fish's feeding habits, such as what depths they frequent and how they track their prey. Some fish use sight to follow their bait, requiring a brightly colored or otherwise noticeable lure. Others might depend on smell or other factors, which your lures must imitate.

3. Examine the different types of lures that are available and the benefits and drawbacks of each. Jigs, for example, imitate a jerky, erratic motion, while spinnerbaits can be pulled through the water to resemble a smaller fish's swimming motion. Knowing how each one operates will help you select the type that works best for your particular catch.

4. Learn how lures are tied to lines and the way in which they play off of each other. Lines are particularly important in deep sea fishing, where they can extend far longer and endure far greater stresses than lines for surface fishing.

5. Practice specific techniques that might be required for the lures you want to use. Each fisherman has his own way of doing things and some methods of fishing will fit with your character more readily than others. Furthermore, certain fish respond to different techniques--some are attracted to trolling lures, while others respond to soft jerks and wriggles. Learn which lures work best for your particular technique and select the ones that are right for you.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk to fishermen who know the waters where you intend to go fishing and ask them for their advice. Experienced deep sea fishermen have probably forgotten more about lures than the rest of us will ever know and can provide invaluable advice on how to pick them.

• Keep multiple versions of the lures you use in case one is damaged or lost. It helps to organize your lures as much as possible and to only pick the types you will need on any given deep sea fishing trip.