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Written by
Larry Stark, Founder / Main Editor
Professional fisherman, who loves to review new fishing gadgets.
Lures are distinctive, especially when it comes to the ones for catching salmon. However, before choosing the finest option for you, there are many things to consider, including length, hook sizes, and diving depths.
If you are a beginner, this might all seem very confusing. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve reviewed the top salmon lures you can find online – dive in below to find out what lures to use for salmon.
Our Top Picks
Most Adaptive Lure For Salmon Fishing
Acme Kastmaster
- Wide range of sizes
- Perfect for saltwater
- Adjustable for different hook types
Most Realistic Lure For Salmon Fishing
Goture Soft Shrimp
- 3D eyes
- Premium silicone quality
- Soft, flexible, and lightweight
Most Effective Lure For Salmon Fishing
Sougayilang
- Reasonable price
- Great for clear and freshwater
- Great color combinations
7 Best Salmon Lures
- Acme Kastmaster – Best Salmon Lures Overall
- Goture Soft Shrimp – Most Realistic Lures for Salmon
- Sougayilang – Most Effective Lures for Salmon
- Yakima Bait Flatfish – Best Salmon Lures For River Fishing
- Blue Fox Classic Vibrax – Best Salmon Lures For Shallow Waters
- Luhr Jensen K15 Kwikfish – Wide-Action
- Rapala Scatter Rap – Jointed Lures
#1
Best Salmon Lures Overall
Acme Kastmaster
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Acme Kastmaster is a master distance caster because of its aerodynamic design. It can capture fish in both fresh and saltwater, and even after frequent exposure to seawater, it won’t shatter, bend, corrode, or lose its brilliance!
- Size: 1/2 Oz, 1/4 Oz, 1/8 Oz, 3/4 Oz, and 3/8 Oz
- Lure type: Crankbait
- Material: Bucktail
- Color: Chrome, Chrome/Blue, and Gold
Pros
- Wide range of sizes
- Perfect for saltwater
- Adjustable for different hook types
Cons
- Have to coordinate with the other factors to gain results
- The bucktails can fall apart
- Not the best for catching salmon
BUYING ADVICE: The ability to precisely imitate the size and color of local forage is what we appreciate most about the Acme Kastmaster. It’s very adaptive and can be compared to all saltwater and freshwater lures in its efficiency.
FEATURES: The slab-shaped Kastmaster body is made of solid brass that won’t corrode or bend, and it’s finished with a jewel-quality plated or painted finish (there are more than 25 different color options in all) that can withstand exposure to seawater.
#2
Most Realistic
Goture Soft Shrimp
WHY WE LIKE IT: These shrimp lures are more bendable and softer since they are constructed of premium, high-quality silicone. Additionally, the Goture Soft Shrimp lure has 3D eyes and incredibly lifelike patterns.
- Material: Silicone, plastic
- Standard size: 8 cm
- Weight: 0.0132 pounds
Pros
- 3D eyes
- Premium silicone quality
- Soft, flexible, and lightweight
- Bright colors and a fluid diving motion are used to draw salmon
Cons
- Not recommended for bigger ponds
- Problems with attaching the line
- Mainly works great with smaller fish
BUYING ADVICE: Despite having a basic appearance, the Goture Soft Shrimp is among the finest on the market and can go with all saltwater fishing rods. It’s all thanks to its realistic design and vibrant shrimp shape, which results in natural-looking swimming motions in the water.
This spinner lure’s soft silicone composition is what we love about it the most. We’ve tried it in both river and lake fishing, and it has consistently caught plenty of bites.
FEATURES: In order to glow in the dark, fluorescent material has been applied to the inner fishing hooks. The beads on the soft lures are equally bright. Fish will be attracted by the glowing shrimp lure set, which is ideal for night fishing.
#3
Most Effective
Sougayilang
WHY WE LIKE IT: Sougayilang fishing lures can be jigged, cast, trolled, or floated. Whether you fish for salmon or other fish types like pike, trout, panfish, and walleyes, they are the ideal choice because of their harmonious wobble and flash.
- Color: White, Yellow, Silver, Green, and Orange
- Number of pieces: 5 in one pack
- Size: 4 in, 5.5 in, 3.2 in, 2.16 in, and 7 in, respectively
- Material: Stainless steel, alloy steel, brass, metal
Pros
- Reasonable price
- Great for clear and freshwater
- Great color combinations
Cons
- Poor plating quality
- Rusting liability
- Smaller than in pictures
BUYING ADVICE: The spoon itself is 3 inches long, with the treble hook adding another 3/4 inch. Personally, in combination with a barrel swivel at the end of a fluorocarbon leader, we think it’s one of the most effective salmon lure.
FEATURES: The quality blade finishes, brass bodies, stainless steel split rings, and steel treble hooks can withstand various freshwater conditions and fish. Not to mention the amazing side-to-side wobbling of the spoon!
#4
For River Fishing
Yakima Bait Flatfish
WHY WE LIKE IT: Due to the pioneering design of Charlie Helin, the Yakima Flatfish lure has been popular for the past 50 years. The round-bend treble hook with UV finishes gives a trolling effect. It is one of the best salmon lures, perfectly balanced and buoyant.
- Color: Available in 15 colors including Fire Tiger, Frog, Glitter Watermelon, and Rainbow
- Size: 2 1/4 inches
- Weight: 0.02 pounds
- Dimensions: 4.96 x 1.85 x 0.71 inches
Pros
- Fast-moving wiggling plug
- Effective on slow retrieves
- Great diving depth
- Efficient in all waters (even for ice-fishing)
Cons
- Contains substances like lead, which is known to be a cancer-causing and reproductive-harming toxin.
- Available only on Amazon
- Overpriced
BUYING ADVICE: Like many other salmon anglers, we’ve learned that once you buy this lure, there’s no going back! They are a good choice because of the movement and superb colors you can’t obtain with other lures. Although, you will also need the best salmon fishing rod possible to make it work.
FEATURES: Because of the wide range of colors, the lure works well in slower-moving pools and deeper rivers. And you’ll find them exceptionally great if you practice stream white bass fishing.
#5
For Shallow Water
Blue Fox Classic Vibrax
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Blue Fox Vibrax Spinner lure, which has a narrower blade that slices through the water better, is one of the finest spinners when fishing for salmon in deep waters.
These lures are renowned for their flare and motion. The free-rotating brass gear, which is contained inside the lure, creates vibration and lessens the twist when it rattles against the fish. This spinner also has greater vibration, which tends to draw the salmon better.
- Color: Multi
- Size: One size
- Weight: 0.05 pounds
- Fishing technique: Casting
Pros
- Uses vibrations to draw salmon better
- Comes in a range of eye-catching, glow-in-the-dark colors and blade sizes 0 through 6.
- Designed with a bell and skirt that shine in the dark
- Alluring feather tail dressing that will definitely draw fish.
- VMC hook with the utmost sharpness.
Cons
- Method: Only casting
- One size
- Bristles are too stiff
BUYING ADVICE: This lure has a brass gear incorporated into it that produces vibrations. This will definitely draw fish in and tempt them to bite. We recommend using size 3 in shallow clear conditions and sizes 4 and 5 for great lakes.
FEATURES: The brighter, neon colors of the Blue Fox Classic Vibrax Glow are its key distinction. The lure also features a tail that can move and float in the water as an extra benefit. Another feature of the lure that should draw salmon is its mobility, making the Blue Fox Classic Vibrax Glow a great option for a salmon lure overall.
#6
Wide-Action
Luhr Jensen K15 Kwikfish
WHY WE LIKE IT: It comes as no surprise that over the past 20 years or more, the Luhr Jensen K15 Kwikfish lure has been one of the greatest salmon lures and has successfully caught a lot of salmon for many fishermen. This lure’s broad wobble and ability to be retrieved slowly allow it to dangle in the salmon’s face for a longer period of time, resulting in harder, more aggressive attacks.
- Size: one size
- Color: Multi and Trapper
- Material: Blend
Pros
- Eyelets that are attached
- Sharp rattle
- Side-to-side construction
- Treble hooks with a round bent
Cons
- Different sizes work in different areas
- Not recommended for muddy waters
- Works only based on vibration
BUYING ADVICE: The salmon can hear built-in rattles from a greater distance. For salmon fishing, we recommend the 4 to 5-inch Kwikfish. The larger lures work best when the salmon has just entered the river, whereas the smaller sizes work better when the salmon are in clear pools or have been in the river for a longer.
For us, the smaller 3′′ size fishing lure performed the best when salmon fishing under pressure in extremely clear water.
FEATURES: Kwikfish is wide-action, full-throttle lures that challenge both small and large lure fish. Fish are forced to react to their aggressive conduct, frequently striking back with the most brutal blows possible. For the best results, adjust the screw eye on the plug’s face to provide a consistent side-to-side motion.
#7
Jointed
Rapala Scatter Rap
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Rapala Scatter Rap Jointed Lure swims in a fascinating and appealing manner. The scatter lip design and the jointed body combine to produce multiple strikes, making Rapala lures one of the best.
- Color: Available in 2 colors including Silvur Lure and Purplescent
- Material: Blend
- Weight: 0.04 pounds
Pros
- Strong buoyancy
- Created to have evasive and erratic floating action
- VMC hooks in Premium Black Nickel
Cons
- Non-rattling
- Too symmetric
- Patent pending
BUYING ADVICE: One of this lure’s best qualities that draw salmon and other fish is its balsa body. This lure has found a home in every newbie fisherman’s tackle box while being made to support seasoned pros. We tested it out in various waterways and weather circumstances and discovered that thanks to the floating action, it worked well in every one of them.
FEATURES: Arguably the biggest benefit that comes with this lure is the V-Rap Technology component. The lure may cut quickly with a snap of the rod and end with a long, gentle glide on the slackline.
Salmon Lures Quickstart Guide
There are various ways and techniques to improve the way to catch salmon, including plunking, float fishing, trolling, and mooching.
Plunking is similar to lake lure fishing. You must:
- Toss your lure into an area where salmon are likely to pass through
- Then, you wait for the fish to bite.
Although you may use lighter action rods if you are using thinner spoons, bigger rods are often preferred for larger waters. Keep in mind to adjust the lure to the depth and pace of the river or stream you are fishing.
When choosing spoons for plunking, go for chartreuse and vivid hues like pink and orange since salmon prefer highly-colored lure.
Before casting, check the water to see make sure you’re casting towards the calmer waters. Larger rivers call for a different strategy. When available, salmon like to remain near covers and will seek the quickest route upriver.
Slack or slow-moving waters demand a unique strategy. The optimum conditions for float fishing, also known as bobber fishing, are tidewaters. This technique is perfect for coho salmon.
To position the sliding float at a particular depth, use a bobber stop. The longer your lure is in front of the fish, the better. Fish are typically at a set depth.
Trolling is an effective technique for catching anadromous salmon, particularly in large rivers, and is also a fantastic way to capture sockeye, kokanee, and other salmon in lakes. Here trolling fish finder for salmon and dedicated salmon reels could be a great assistant for your following fishing journeys.
Under the correct conditions, spinners and spoons may be excellent for salmon. Mooching is a different method that may be quite effective. Basically, mooching works like this:
- Taking your lure
- Lower it to a depth where the salmon are, and
- Slowly bring it back up to the surface.
Because salmon have very soft jaws, barbless hooks are essential in many waterways to prevent them from slipping from the hook at the worst possible time.
Make sure you thoroughly submerge the fish in the net before pulling it up without bumping into the leader, which might cause a speedy escape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Every lure may attract salmon. However, you should have a selection of salmon fishing lures on hand since, occasionally, salmon may be in deep water, and you’ll need various lures to reach different depths.
In addition, not every lure will work for every type of salmon. For example, chinook salmon fishing usually requires natural bait like shrimp or anchovies.
During salmon runs, several rivers on the East Coast receive a fair amount of salmon, but nowhere else in the United States are salmon so sought after by fishermen as in Northern California, the Pacific Northwest, and Alaska.