This page contains affiliate links. Far Cornel may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.
See the top-rated gear on Amazon →
When fish are smashing bait out wide or holding deep over a reef, nothing gets to them like a lump of metal. A metal lure is dense, aerodynamic and cheap, so it casts further than almost anything else, sinks fast and imitates a fleeing baitfish with just a flash and a wobble. That simplicity is exactly why metals catch so many fish, from the surface to the sea floor.
The family is broad, though, and each shape has a job. A slim slug is built to cast a mile and be burned across the surface, a knife jig flutters down to deep reef fish, a micro jig brings finesse to light tackle, a spoon wobbles and flashes on a slow wind, and a metal vibe hums through the water column. Pick the wrong one for the situation and you fish it wrong. Below is how to match the metal to the moment.
It helps to think in terms of where the fish are and how they are feeding. Surface-busting pelagics call for a fast-retrieved slug, fish glued to deep structure want a jig fluttered down to them, and cold, sulky fish often respond to the tight buzz of a metal vibe. Get the type and the weight right for the depth and the cast you need, and metals become some of the most productive lures you can own.
Quick Picks
- Best overall: a casting metal slug for long casts and surface chaos
- Best all-round and versatile: a casting spoon
- Best for deep water: a knife or slow-pitch jig
- Best for small species: a micro jig
- Best for working structure: a metal vibe or blade
How to Choose
Start with weight, because it sets your cast, your depth and your sink rate all at once. A heavier metal punches into the wind, reaches fish holding out wide, and sinks quickly to deep fish, while a lighter one flutters slowly and suits shallow, calm conditions and lighter tackle. Match the weight to the distance and depth you need to reach, and to the size of the baitfish the fish are chasing. When in doubt on open water, a mid-weight metal is the most versatile place to start.
Then match the shape and hooks to how you will fish it. A streamlined slug is made to be retrieved fast for surface feeders, a fluttering jig is worked with lifts and drops over structure, and a spoon wants a slow, steady wind so its wobble can work. Hooks matter as much as shape: assist hooks up near the head suit jigs, since fish hit the fluttering top, while a tail treble suits fast-moving slugs and spoons. This is where to spend and where to save: cheap chrome slugs catch fish and get lost on the rocks anyway, so save there, but spend on quality assist hooks and split rings that will not straighten on a big fish.
Have a quick look at the current and most recent options on Amazon for the metal fishing lures.
The Metal Lures
Check today’s prices on Amazon →
The casting metal slug
The long-range specialist and the first metal most anglers reach for. A slim, dense slug cuts through wind to cast enormous distances, which lets you reach schools of surface-feeding fish that would otherwise be out of range. Burn it fast across the top for pelagics chasing bait, or let it sink and rip it back for fish holding deeper. It is simple, cheap and deadly on tailor, salmon, mackerel and trevally. The main limit is that a fast, straight retrieve is not always what the fish want, so vary the speed until they commit.
Have a quick look at the current and most recent options on Amazon for the metal casting slugs.
The knife or slow-pitch jig
A knife or slow-pitch jig is built for vertical fishing over deep reef and wrecks, where the action all happens on the drop. Its shape makes it flutter and flash as it sinks, mimicking a dying baitfish, and most strikes come as it falls. Worked with a rhythmic slow-pitch lift of the rod, it tempts fish that ignore everything else. It usually runs assist hooks at the head and asks for a bit of technique to fish well, but over deep structure it is devastating.
Have a quick look at the current and most recent options on Amazon for the knife jigs.
The micro jig
A micro jig brings the metal-lure game to light tackle and smaller species. Tiny and light, it flutters enticingly on the drop and can be hopped along the bottom or wound steadily, drawing bites from bream, flathead, trevally and almost anything that eats a small baitfish. On a light rod the fight is enormous fun. The trade-off is that its low weight makes it hard to cast into wind or fish in deep, fast water, so keep it for calmer, shallower situations and finesse work.
Have a quick look at the current and most recent options on Amazon for the micro jigs.
The casting spoon
The casting spoon is a classic for good reason. Its concave shape catches the water and gives a wide, erratic wobble and flash on a slow to medium retrieve, an action that trout, redfin, salmon and many estuary fish find hard to resist. It is forgiving to fish, since a simple steady wind brings it to life, which makes it a great choice for anglers learning to use metals. Just avoid winding it too fast, as an over-driven spoon stops wobbling and starts spinning, twisting your line.
Have a quick look at the current and most recent options on Amazon for the casting spoons.
The metal vibe or blade
A metal vibe, or blade, is a flat metal lure that sinks and shivers with a tight, hard vibration you feel right through the rod. Because it sinks, you can count it down and fish it at any depth, either hopping it vertically or casting and winding it back with a lift-and-drop. That tight buzz is especially good on cold, sluggish fish like bream, bass and jew that want a subtle, high-frequency action. It casts well and covers water fast, which makes it a superb search lure when you need to find fish.
Have a quick look at the current and most recent options on Amazon for the metal vibes.
Comparison
| Type | Best for | Depth | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casting slug | Long casts and surface feeders | Top to mid | Needs some retrieve speed |
| Knife or slow-pitch jig | Reaching deep fish | Deep | Heavy for light gear |
| Micro jig | Small and shy species | Mid to deep | Too light for big water |
| Casting spoon | Easy all-round fishing | Top to mid | Can spin on fast winds |
| Metal vibe or blade | Working structure and bottom | Mid to deep | Snags in heavy cover |
Frequently Asked Questions
What size metal lure should I start with?
Start with a mid-weight metal that suits your rod and the water you fish, since it will cast well, sink at a useful rate and cover a range of situations. From there, add a lighter one for calm, shallow days and a heavier one for wind, distance and deeper water. Two or three sizes cover most fishing.
Do I need to upgrade the hooks and rings?
On cheaper metals, often yes. Budget lures frequently come with soft split rings and blunt hooks that can straighten on a strong fish, especially in saltwater. Check them, sharpen or replace weak hooks, and fit stronger rings if you expect to hook something serious.
Are metal lures good for beginners?
Very much so. Metals are cheap, tough and cast a long way, and a spoon or slug fished on a simple retrieve catches fish without any special technique. They are a forgiving, productive way to learn lure fishing, and losing one to the rocks costs little compared with a hard-body.
Single, assist or treble hooks?
It depends on the lure and the fishing. Assist hooks up top suit jigs, where fish hit the fluttering head, and reduce snagging. Trebles hold well on fast-retrieved slugs and spoons. Single hooks snag less and are kinder for catch and release, so choose to match your method.
The Bottom Line
The best metal lure is the one that reaches the fish and matches how they are feeding, so think depth and retrieve before colour. A slug covers distance and surface feeders, a jig gets down to deep structure, a micro jig brings light-tackle fun, a spoon wobbles for trout and estuary fish, and a vibe searches the whole column. Buy a couple of weights, upgrade the hooks that matter, and metals will earn a permanent place in your kit.
For more on filling out your lure box, see our guides to the best hard-body lures, the best soft plastic lure kits, and the best squid jigs.