The right lure is not simply the “best colour” or the most expensive model. It is a lure that reaches the fish, works at the right speed and remains easy to control in the conditions you are fishing.
A practical order of choice is: target fish → fishing depth → lure size and action → colour. This guide helps you make that choice for pike, perch, zander, sea trout and river trout.
Start with four questions
- Which fish are you targeting? The species determines the likely prey size, presentation and tackle strength.
- Where is the fish? A perfect lure above or below the feeding layer is often useless. Consider depth, current and vegetation.
- How clear is the water? Natural colours are a sensible starting point in clear water; stronger contrast can be easier to notice in stained water or low light.
- How active are the fish? Active fish can be searched for with a faster, more pronounced action. Inactive fish may respond better to a slower retrieve, pauses or a smaller profile.
What the main lure types are good for
- Spinner: starts producing flash and vibration immediately and is easy to search with. A good choice for perch and trout, and larger models also catch pike. See spinner baits.
- Spoon: casts far, covers water efficiently and can be fished at different depths by changing the retrieve speed. A classic choice for pike and sea trout. Browse spoon lures.
- Soft lure: highly adaptable. Hook size, jig-head weight and retrieve can be matched to shallow water, deep edges or bottom fishing. See soft baits.
- Wobbler or hard bait: useful when you want a defined swimming action and running depth. Floating models are especially practical over shallow areas and in small streams.
- Jerkbait: an effective pike lure for shallow and medium-depth water. Its side-to-side, wounded-prey action is created by the angler, so suitable rod, reel and leader matter. See jerkbaits.
Choosing a lure by fish species
Pike
Pike are often found near weed lines, drop-offs and other ambush cover. Match the lure to the depth before choosing the colour: use a shallow-running jerkbait or light soft lure above vegetation, and a heavier soft lure or spoon when you need to reach deeper water.
Begin with a lure that resembles the local prey fish. If visibility is poor, try a brighter or more contrasting pattern. Always use a suitable bite-resistant leader. Explore pike fishing lures, pike spoons and jerkbaits.
Perch
For perch, small spinners and soft lures are dependable starting choices. Spinners are useful for locating active fish; a soft lure on a jig head gives more control close to the bottom. Choose the lightest weight that still lets you feel and control the lure.
If perch follow but do not strike, change one thing at a time: slow down, add a pause, reduce the lure size or switch contrast. Browse perch lures, perch spinners and soft lures for perch.
Zander
Zander are commonly targeted near the bottom with a soft lure. Jig-head weight must be heavy enough to maintain bottom contact in the actual depth and current, but not unnecessarily heavy. A controlled fall and clear contact usually matter more than colour alone.
Start with a natural baitfish shade in clear water and a silhouette with more contrast in dark or cloudy water. See soft lures for zander.
Sea trout
Long, relatively narrow metal lures are popular for sea trout because they cast well and can work in shallow coastal water. A 15–25 g lure is a useful starting range for many shore-fishing situations, but wind, waves, depth and your rod determine the final choice.
Metallic and natural fish colours are good starting points in clear conditions; copper, gold or a stronger accent may help in darker water or low light. Explore sea trout lures.
River trout
Small spinners and wobblers are practical choices in Estonian trout streams. Many places are shallow, so a floating or shallow-running wobbler is easier to guide over stones and through pockets. Lures up to roughly 10 g and spinners in sizes 1–3 are common starting points, but always adapt to the stream and local rules.
Depth and control come before colour
If the lure constantly catches bottom, it may be too heavy, running too deep or retrieved too slowly. If it never reaches the fish, increase the weight, choose a deeper-running model or slow the retrieve. In current, use enough weight to keep control without making the presentation unnaturally rigid.
Colour is still useful, but treat it as a starting hypothesis:
- Clear water and bright light: natural baitfish shades, silver, subdued patterns.
- Stained water, cloud or dusk: stronger contrast, gold or copper flash, visible accents.
- No response: change retrieve, depth or location before endlessly changing colours.
A sensible starter lure box
You do not need dozens of almost identical lures. For one target species, start with a compact selection:
- one shallow-running lure;
- one lure for the middle of the water column;
- one option for fishing close to the bottom;
- natural and contrasting colours;
- at least two sizes;
- spare hooks, leaders and appropriate jig heads.
If you want a ready-made assortment, see our lure kits or browse the full fishing lure collection.
Six common lure-selection mistakes
- Choosing colour before checking depth and current.
- Using a lure that is too heavy to fish slowly or too light to control.
- Repeating exactly the same retrieve after several empty casts.
- Fishing with blunt or damaged hooks.
- Using tackle or a leader that is unsuitable for the target fish.
- Staying in one unproductive spot instead of searching different depths and cover.
Frequently asked questions
Which lure colour is best?
There is no universally best colour. Natural shades are a good first choice in clear water, while contrast can help in low visibility. Depth, retrieve and fish location usually matter first.
Should I use a smaller or larger lure?
Match the likely prey and the fish’s activity. A smaller lure can help with cautious fish; a larger lure can be easier to notice and may suit active pike. These are starting points, not fixed rules.
How do I know whether the lure is too heavy?
If it repeatedly snags bottom despite a suitable retrieve, sinks through the productive layer too quickly or kills the intended action, try a lighter option. If you cannot feel or control it, use more weight.
What should a beginner buy first?
Choose one target fish, then buy a few lures that cover shallow, medium and deeper water. Learning to control a small selection is more useful than owning many random colours.
Before fishing: check current closed seasons, areas, minimum sizes and permit requirements. See the Estonian Environmental Board’s current fishing restrictions.
