What is the secret to landing that trophy striped bass? Many anglers spend hours casting, hoping for just one solid bite. The ocean is full of fish, but getting a big striper to strike is often the toughest part of the battle. It’s frustrating when your gear doesn’t perform when the fish are finally running near the coast.
Choosing the right lure can feel like guessing in the dark. Should you use a plug, a jig, or a soft plastic bait? Each one has its moment, but picking the wrong one means wasted time and missed opportunities. We understand the struggle of standing on the beach or on a boat, watching other anglers catch fish while your tackle box seems useless.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down the most effective lures for stripers, explaining exactly when and where to use each type. By the end, you will feel confident grabbing the perfect lure for any condition. Get ready to upgrade your success rate and start hooking more of those powerful linesiders!
Top Lures For Striper Fishing Recommendations
- FULLY RIGGED, INCLUDES EVERYTHING YOU NEED. Umbrella Rig Featuring 5 Arms, and 8 Willow Leaf Blades, 20cm long from tip of head to end of arms. Also Includes (5) 9cm long Swim Baits and (5) 7g Jig Head as shown in the picture
- BASS CAN'T RESIST! Imitates a school of Shad Swimming. The color chosen for this bait is a natural Shad color. Grey, White, and Black colors are great for any time of the year and any type of water clarity
- ADEQUATE SIZE. 20cm from tip of head to the end of the arms which allows you to spread out the arms enough to ensure that the swim baits are seperated enough to ensure the "schooling effect"
- LOOKS LIKE A SCHOOL OF SHAD. 8 willow leaf blades really emphasizes the shad school effect by providing "flashing" under water. Gets bass attention from far distances.
- CATCH MORE THAN 1 AT A TIME. Its not uncommon to catch more than 1 fish at a time on these. And they are great for species other than bass. Basically anything that eats shad wont pass this up.
- 🐟 Saltwater fishing lures assortment with Lifelike 3D eyes, vbrilliant holographic laser finish and sharp treble hooks
- 🐟 LIFELIKE ACTION: Exquisitely Painted fishing bait ,brilliant colors and pattern, realistic hard fishing lures create life like swimming action in the water to attract predators' attention, which can be used in both saltwater and freshwater
- 🐟 GRAVITY BALL INSIDE: Saltwater fishing lures with built-in metal gravity balls for long accurate cast and postural stability, control barycenter easily and create noise and commotion that fish can not ignore
- 🐟 PREMIUM MATERIAL: The fishing lures are made of durable ABS, reusable & environment protective swim baits, rigged with 2 rust-proof sharp treble hooks and stainless steel split rings, high strength and corrosion resistant
- 🐟 WIDELY APPLICATION: 6pcs Saltwater fishing lures are perfect for stream, pond, reservoir, river, lake, sea fishing and ocean boat fishing. Widely targeting at predator fishes such as perch, crappie, walleye, pike, trout and other various fishes. Wonderful fishing lures for anglers
- Soft Swimbaits: Made of environmental friendly quality soft plastic, jig head fishing lures are soft, light but durable with fishy smell to attract freshwater / saltwater fishes.
- Lifelike Culter Bait: Fishing jig soft lure features realistic 3D laser fish eyes, plump trout shaped fish mouth, fish scale and fins to imitate the real culter fish.
- Big Soft Tail: Soft and flexible big tail strongly swings and creates natural swimming action in water can easily attract bass, trout, perch, crappie, pike, walleye, mandarinfish, etc.
- Jig Head Fishing Lure: Weighted jig hook inside the head; a triple hook with a squashed double connecting ring (an optional hook hanger）at the abdomen; reasonable counterweight designed for long casting, deep sinking and high catching rate.
- What You Get: Package comes with 6 PCS fishing baits in 6 colors (blue, green, silver, white, red-white and black-red). Each bass lure is 3.54in long and weighs 0.31oz.
- This Umbrella Fishing Bait Rigs Kit is very simple, because the swimbait and the jighead are perfectly combined, you can’t see many scattered accessories, just hang the swimbait on the Rigs arms and you can use it.
- But it has an obvious disadvantage. When your bait is bitten by a big fish, you can only replace it in its entirety, and the cost of use may be higher.
- The product you bought has 2 sets of Umbrella fishing rigs with 2 colors. If you are careful, you will definitely find that the swimbait are very different in length and size. Remember to hang the largest swim bait in the last position of arms when using it. because the fish usually attack the lagging fish, if them sees that the swimbait is the largest, it will not hesitate to attack and will not miss the perfect opportunity
- I have another suggestion. You can mix different colors of swimming baits. For example, you can use 4 small green baits. Use white for the big bait at the last position. This will make it easier to attract the attention of big fishes. They have a difference in color. very sensitive
- The largest swimbait has a weight of 26 grams, and the resistance is also high. If you drag the alabama rigs manually, it will feel heavy after long time use. It is recommended that you use a lighter swimbait to search, when you find fish, and then use the biger swimbait to attract the big fish, This fishing Rigs uses boat trolling is the best, whether it is fresh or salt water.
- As a slow sinking bait, the bait can be used to attack the entire water column; Single-jointed construction gives it a remarkable swimming motion
- The glide bait has a unique S-wave action and big profile, and it can be controlled with pauses and reel turns, which can give it more drawing power that appeals to larger fish
- With eight stainless steel balls (ball dia. 0.43in, 0.39in and 0.28in) built in, along the bottom of the swim bait, to keep balance and for further distance casting, and the steel balls also make the lure noisy which will be a big factor especially when water clarity is low, rather than lure action or color
- Natural color imitation; Vivid 3D laser eyes; Textured, soft rubber fishtail for more vivid swimming strokes
- Increases your chances on catching those Monster Bass that simply don’t fall for other baits; Heavily targeted by monster size fish, regardless of their species, Bass, Trout, Muskie, etc.
- The three choices are the top purchased colors among the Heddon Saltwater family Bone, Black Shiner, and Red Head Holographic; Gives inshore anglers three options of the Super Spook Jr to solve the issue of having to decide what colors are needed for a quick trip
- Each color choice fits a certain situation like dark or sunny skies or for targeting certain species
- The three and a half inch Heddon Super Spook Jr. features an internal rattle, super strong hardware, durable body construction and highly productive decorating schemes
- A great multi-species topwater lure, the Super Spook Jr. will catch bass, striper, pike and musky with its renowned "walk the dog" action
- A consistent action of quick snaps of slack line will get the Super spook junior to its desired walking action
- Slow-sinking twitch/walking lure with erratic action mimics prominent in-shore forage and catches all species of inshore game-fish, including speckled trout, redfish, striped bass and more.
- Can be fished quickly across the surface in a walk-the-dog fashion to catch active fish hitting the surface, but also can be walked slowly under the surface to catch more inactive fish.
- Strong, #2 saltwater grade hooks and durable corrosion-resistant body and hardware to handle the toughest conditions and even the toothiest fish.
- Features a unique super-slow-sinking action that catches fish with a variety of retrieves; Weighs 5/8-ounce and casts well even against the ever-present wind.
- Effective size and colors: At 3 ½-inches in length, the Mullet fits into the most-effective size category to appeal to all inshore fish; Available in 8 saltwater-specific color patterns that fish love.
- Innovative Design: Most talked-about lure that delivers explosive strikes and laughs
- Performance Features: Walks-the-dog or pops for effective bass, redfish and mahi-mahi fishing
- Premium Hardware: Precision-balanced construction with high-quality components that handle large fish
- Durable Construction: Hand-painted with UV-protected patriotic detail for long-lasting use
- Versatile Application: Effective for multiple fishing techniques including topwater, walk-the-dog, and popping
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Striper Fishing Lures
Striped bass, or stripers, are strong and smart fish. Catching them takes the right tools. Choosing the best lures makes a big difference. This guide helps you select the perfect lure for your next striper trip.
Key Features to Look For
When you look at a lure, check a few important things. These features help the lure work better in the water.
- **Action:** This is how the lure moves when you reel it in. Some lures swim side-to-side. Others wiggle or dart. A good action mimics a real baitfish.
- **Vibration and Sound:** Many successful lures have rattles inside. These make noise and vibrations. Stripers use their side-line to feel these movements, even in dark water.
- **Color and Finish:** Match the lure color to the water conditions. Clear water often calls for natural colors like silver or white. Murky water needs bright colors like chartreuse or fire-tiger.
- **Size and Weight:** The size must match the baitfish the stripers are eating. Bigger lures attract bigger fish. The weight affects how far you can cast.
Important Materials That Matter
The material a lure is made from affects how long it lasts and how it swims.
Hard Baits (Plugs)
These are usually made of strong plastic or wood. Hard plastics are durable and float well. Wooden lures sometimes offer a more natural swimming action. Ensure the hooks are made of stainless steel. This prevents rust, especially when fishing in saltwater.
Soft Plastics (Swimbaits and Jigs)
Soft plastics are flexible and feel real to the fish. Look for high-quality, thick plastic. Thin plastic tears easily when a big striper bites down. Good soft plastics hold scent well too.
Metal Lures (Spoons and Jigs)
Metal lures are heavy. This lets you cast very far. Good quality metal resists corrosion. Heavy metal lures sink fast, which is great for deep water fishing.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all lures are made the same. A few small details can make a lure great or useless.
Quality Boosters:
- **Strong Hardware:** The split rings (the small metal rings connecting the hook to the lure) must be thick. Weak rings break under the pressure of a large fish.
- **Sharp Hooks:** Hooks must be razor-sharp. Dull hooks often miss the fish’s mouth.
- **Durable Paint:** Good paint jobs stay on after hitting rocks or being chewed by fish.
Quality Reducers:
Cheap plastic bodies crack easily. If the paint chips off quickly, the lure looks unnatural. Lures with weak line ties often fail when you fight a strong fish.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about where and how you plan to fish. This guides your final choice.
Surf Casting (Fishing from the beach):
You need heavy, long-casting lures. Metal jigs or heavy plugs work best here. They cut through the wind and reach the breaking waves where stripers feed.
Boat Fishing in Bays or Rivers:
You can use a wider variety of lures. Topwater plugs work great when stripers are feeding near the surface during dawn or dusk. Suspending jerkbaits are perfect when fish are holding just below the surface.
Trolling (Pulling the lure behind a moving boat):
Large, deep-diving plugs are the top choice for trolling. They must swim consistently at the speed of the boat.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Striper Lures
Q: What is the best all-around color for striped bass lures?
A: White, silver, and chartreuse are usually the most effective all-around colors for stripers.
Q: Should I use hard lures or soft plastics for stripers?
A: Both work well. Hard lures are durable for heavy use. Soft plastics often feel more natural to the fish.
Q: How does water temperature affect my lure choice?
A: In very cold water, stripers move slowly. Use slower retrieves and natural colors. In warm water, faster retrieves with brighter lures work better.
Q: What is a “jerkbait”?
A: A jerkbait is a hard lure that you “jerk” with your rod tip. This makes it dart erratically, mimicking an injured baitfish.
Q: Do I need special hooks for saltwater stripers?
A: Yes. Always use stainless steel or high-quality, corrosion-resistant hooks. Saltwater ruins cheap metal quickly.
Q: When should I use topwater lures?
A: Use topwater lures when you see fish actively feeding on the surface, usually early morning or late evening.
Q: How important is the rattle in a lure?
A: Rattles are very important, especially in murky or low-light conditions. They help the fish locate the lure by sound.
Q: Can I use freshwater bass lures for stripers?
A: You can, but freshwater lures often lack the durability needed for the harsh saltwater environment and the power of a large striper.
Q: What size hook is best for a standard 6-inch swimbait?
A: A 4/0 or 5/0 hook is generally a good size for a 6-inch soft plastic swimbait targeting average-sized stripers.
Q: How often should I change my lure when not getting bites?
A: If you haven’t had a bite in 15 to 20 minutes, change your lure color or action. Sometimes the fish get tired of seeing the same thing.