Top 20 Trout Lures of All Time

Trout fishing enthusiasts know that having the right lure can make all the difference. To help you land your next big catch, we polled nearly 1,000 of our followers across social media, gathering their insights on the best trout lures they’ve ever used. After analyzing the results, we’ve compiled a list of the top trout lures of all time based on real feedback from anglers just like you. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the sport, this guide features lures that deliver results in any fishing condition. Let’s jump into the must-have lures that should be in every angler’s tackle box!

#20 – Woolly Bugger

The Woolly Bugger lure is a top choice for anglers targeting a variety of species, from king salmon to rainbow and brown trout. Its realistic action, well-made design, and vibrant colors make it highly effective, especially in rivers and streams. Many anglers praise its durability, with the hooks standing strong against powerful fish like king salmon. Available in multiple sizes and colors, including olive, yellow, and black, the Woolly Bugger’s versatility is unmatched. It’s easy to see why it’s a go-to fly for many anglers, offering reliable results and great value for the price. Highly recommended for both beginners and pros.

#19 – Eppinger Original Dardevle Spoon

The Eppinger Original Dardevle Spoon is legendary among fishing enthusiasts, boasting a history of over a century in catching game fish. This spoon lure is renowned for its simple yet effective design, featuring a concave shape that produces a distinctive wobble and darting motion that mimics a fleeing baitfish. The red and white pattern is a classic color combination that triggers aggressive strikes from various predatory species, including trout. Its heavy-duty construction allows for long-lasting durability and enables long casts. Ideal for both casting and trolling, the Dardevle Spoon is a must-have for anyone serious about catching big fish.

#18 – Acme Little Cleo Nickel Blue

The Acme Little Cleo Nickel Blue is a staple in the tackle boxes of trout anglers for its unmatched versatility and performance. This spoon lure, designed with a unique hump-backed shape, creates a seductive, wiggling action that mimics a distressed baitfish. Its nickel blue finish provides an enticing flash, effectively drawing in trout and other predatory fish. The compact design allows for exceptionally long casts, making it perfect for reaching those hard-to-get spots in larger waters. Effective in both freshwater and saltwater, the Little Cleo is ideal for targeting a variety of species, making it a top choice for multi-species anglers.

#17 – Acme Kastmaster

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The Acme Kastmaster is a heavy lure, so this is a great trout lure for rivers and deep water lakes.  With the Kastmaster, you’ll be impressed by its casting abilities, and it’s also great for trolling.  Although some types of trout can live in saltwater, trout are generally freshwater fish. If you enjoy saltwater fishing and trout fishing, the Kastmaster is a lure for you. Made of brass, the Kastmaster does not corrode after being used in saltwater. Because of this, the lure will keep its shining colors to appeal to fish. The Kastmaster comes in plenty of styles, some of which have frog or rainbow trout patterns.  My favorite colors are gold and silver to give that shine imitating bait fish.

#16 – Joe’s Flies Short Striker

No luck with other lures? Try Joe’s Flies Short Striker! The Short Striker brings together flies with the power of a spinner. The flashing gold is sure to grab the attention of trout along with the tempting fly imitation. Although this lure doesn’t have the variety of colors as others, there’s a wide assortment of flies to choose from.  Rainbow trout love these spinner baits, especially when fished around structure like rocks, logs and bridges. Don’t expect the Short Striker to cast quite as far as other lures. If you’re fishing in a stream with a strong current, Joe’s Flies Short Striker is an ideal choice for a lure.

#15 – Acme Phoebe Lure

Another great lure from Acme, the Phoebe model is a trout magnet in the water. This is a small spoon, but don’t let this fool you into thinking it’s not as effective. The lure has more detail than other spoons with etched fins and scales. It’s also curved, which gives the appearance of a full-bodied fish when moving around in the water and currents. With a variety of enticing colors, this is a perfect lure to tempt trout into taking a bite.  The movements of Acme’s Phoebe attract attention from trout, too. Since the lure is smaller, you can use it when fishing in smaller streams, but you can also take it with you in larger, deeper waters. It’s great for rainbow trout, brown trout, and more. 

#14 – Berkley’s PowerBait Power Floating Trout Worm

Worms are a common bait for fishing in general, so why not use Berkley PowerBait Power Floating Trout Worm? This soft lure has many excellent qualities, including Berkley’s signature scent and flavor infused into the lure to attract fish. This is meant to keep fish on the hook, and it’s also one of the features that sets Berkley’s apart from the rest.  The wriggling movements of the worm are sure to get the attention of trout. Each worm is three inches long, and you can buy them in packs with multiple worms. Although the worms are made with high-quality materials, these lures aren’t as strong as metal. Since they’re more prone to break, it’s good to have a few extra of these with you. 

#13 – CP Swing

The CP Swing trout spinner is a highly effective lure known for its excellent action and ability to attract a variety of trout species. Its unique design features a swinging blade that creates a lively, realistic movement in the water, mimicking the behavior of small baitfish. Anglers love its versatility, as it works well in both still and moving water. Available in different colors and sizes, it’s great for trout, bass, and other freshwater species. The CP Swing is durable, easy to cast, and provides consistent results, making it a favorite choice for both novice and experienced anglers alike.

#12 – Luhr Jensen Krocodile Spoon

The Luhr Jensen Krocodile Spoon is a highly effective and versatile lure that delivers great results for a variety of fish, including halibut, largemouth bass, northern pike, and more. Its realistic color patterns and exceptional action make it irresistible to fish, while its durable construction ensures long-lasting use. Anglers rave about its performance in both freshwater and saltwater, with many reporting consistent catches. Whether you’re targeting pike in Northern Michigan or bass in local waters, the Krocodile Spoon’s proven effectiveness makes it a top choice for serious fishermen. Its variety of sizes and colors allows for customization to suit different fishing conditions.

#11 – Mack’s Lure Wedding Ring® Classic Original

The Mack’s Lure Wedding Ring® Classic Original is a must-have for trout and panfish anglers. Praised for its effectiveness, this lure delivers quick results, with many customers reporting successful catches within minutes of use. Whether trolling from a kayak or boat, anglers find the Wedding Ring® particularly effective at attracting large trout and Kokanee. The vibrant color options, such as orange/gold/fire orange, help the lure stand out, even in deeper waters. It’s also a favorite for adding worms to the hook, enhancing its appeal. Affordable, durable, and reliable, this lure continues to be a top choice for both beginners and seasoned anglers alike.

#10 – Trout Magnet

The Trout Magnet Lure is a highly effective choice for anglers targeting trout, bass, and panfish. Known for its lifelike motion, the lure is a hit among anglers who appreciate its subtle, natural action that trout can’t resist. Available in several colors like Hawk and Brook, it’s particularly effective in clear waters. Many users report catching fish quickly, often within minutes, especially when working it like a jerkbait. While the lure may not cast far, it excels at staying just below the surface, making it a deadly option for wild brown trout. Affordable and reliable, it’s a favorite for seasoned and novice anglers alike.

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#9 – Rebel Jointed Minnow

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The Rebel Jointed Minnow lure is similar to Rapala’s Original Floater, but the most significant difference is this lure has two pieces to its body which makes more action. Because of its jointed body, the lure has greater movement capabilities and should attract more strikes. What better to hook a trout than a lure thrashing around in the water? The Rebel Jointed Minnow is also great for surface fishing, and it can also go two to three feet deep in the water. Try using a jointed lure when you’re fishing in smaller streams.  It is one of the best brown trout lures that I have in my tackle box. Rebel’s Jointed Minnow comes in basic colors like gold and silver, but Rebel offers more realistic lures as well. You can buy a lure that looks like a Tennessee Shad or Rainbow Trout.  This lure also has three sets of treble hooks for maximizing your potential to land a big trout.

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#8 – Thomas Bouyant

The Thomas Bouyant Trout Lure is a top choice for anglers targeting trout and salmon. Known for its effectiveness, this affordable lure delivers impressive results, especially when trolling. Its treble hooks ensure a secure catch, and many anglers appreciate its light weight, making it ideal for ultralight setups. Customers report success using the lure in various conditions, often landing multiple fish in a short time. While larger than some might expect, it’s perfect for bigger trout and salmon. With its durable design and proven performance, the Thomas Bouyant is a must-have in any trout fisher’s tackle box.

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#7 – Super Duper 

The Super Duper lure is a time-tested favorite among anglers, particularly for trout fishing. Praised for its versatility, it’s also effective for catching bass, catfish, and other panfish. Its unique design creates an irresistible action, especially when retrieved with a stuttered motion. Many anglers swear by the Super Duper’s ability to catch fish in rivers and lakes, with some even adding minnow heads for larger catches like channel catfish. Known for its durability and reliable performance, it’s a classic lure that’s been trusted for over 50 years. Available in a variety of colors, it’s a must-have in any angler’s tackle box.

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#5 – Blue Fox Vibrax

Made by fishing lure manufacturer Rapala, the Blue Fox Vibrax is a top choice for catching trout. One of the best spinners for trout, it comes in a few different colors, and the iridescent shine is sure to attract fish.

There’s a brass gear built into the lure to reduce any line twist while also creating a vibrating noise, which is another method of attracting fish to your lure. The Vibrax is fairly heavy for a spinner, so it will cast farther than others. It’s one of my favorite rainbow trout lures especially in deeper water or areas where you have lots of room for big casts. You can find four colors on Amazon, and the double silver and double gold lures have been known to be successful for catching trout, especially rainbows.

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#4 – Rapala Original Floater

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Shaped like a minnow, Rapala’s Original Floater is another go-to choice for trout fishermen. This lure is made out of balsa wood, unlike others lures made of metal. Since it’s built from balsa wood, the lure floats on the water easily. You can use this lure for surface fishing, but it can still go a few feet deep due to its diving lip.  The Original Floater is an excellent lure to have in your toolbox since it’s able to catch trout of nearly any size. You can buy the lure in a few different sizes, depending on what size and species of trout (rainbow trout, brown trout, etc.) you hope to be catching.

Rapala makes this lure in a few different colors, including ones that mimic bleeding fish. If the lure’s movement bobbing up and down didn’t already attract trout, the appearance of a bleeding minnow should do the trick. Still the number one “go-to” lure. Whether twitched on top as a surface lure, retrieved as a shallow runner, weighted with a split shot for medium depth or bottom walked off a three-way swivel or bottom bouncer, the wounded minnow action continues to be irresistible to gamefish on every continent around the world.

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#3 – Panther Martin Classic Spinner

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Panther Martin is another trusted brand when it comes to fishing lures, especially for trout. With a lure like their classic spinner, you can’t go wrong. When the metal pieces clank together, the lure makes a sonic vibration sound to attract trout. Like the Blue Fox Vibrax, Panther Martin’s spinners also come in multiple colors, all of which are designed to lure in fish like trout, rainbow trout, and other species of freshwater fish.

This spinner is particularly effective in deeper bodies of water. The blades come in a few different sizes, so you can always adjust the blade size to your environment. Panther Martin makes one of the top rated trout lures, so add this to your tackle box! 

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#2 – Worden’s Original Rooster Tail

If you were intimidated by the color choices of the Vibrax or Panther Martin’s Classic Spinner, just wait until you see the options for Yakima Bait Worden’s Original Rooster Tail. With so many color options, it can be difficult to pick one, but you can always stick to a silver, white, or gold. It doesn’t hurt to pick up a couple extra because this is a very popular lure!

The spinning blade has a tail to it, so the lure appears as a larger food source. The sonic vibrations created by the Rooster Tail are great, and the lure itself is just right for when you’re casting or trolling. This versatility is just one of the many reasons to purchase Worden’s Original Rooster Tail for catching more trout!  This is one of my go to trout lures for lakes.

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#1 – Mepps Aglia Spinner

This lure had the most votes in our survey. This is an in-line spinner lure, and it even has a French blade. Between the sonic vibrations and colors, Mepps Aglia is a fantastic lure for trout. Parts of the lure are made with stainless steel with a single treble hook, so it’s a strong lure for catching fish.  I prefer these lures in slower waters around structure like rocks and logs.
You may know Mepps for their squirrel exchange program. To make their dressed hooks, Mepps uses squirrel tail hair. In exchange for sending them squirrel tails, you can receive lures. If you participate in this program, consider trading squirrel tails for Mepps Aglia lure. 

 

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How We Picked this List

The lures featured in our list were selected based on the valuable feedback submitted by our Facebook followers. We asked our community to share their favorite trout lures, and nearly 1,000 anglers responded with their tried-and-true recommendations. By analyzing the most common and enthusiastic responses, we were able to identify the lures that stood out as top performers in real-world fishing scenarios. This list reflects the collective wisdom of experienced anglers who’ve tested these lures in various conditions, ensuring that each one is highly regarded by those who know trout fishing best.

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About Trout Fishing

Trout fishing is one of the most popular forms of fishing in North America and around the world, with anglers targeting this game fish year round. Like all species, trout are more likely to bite lures that mimic their natural prey.

The right trout fishing lures capture the attention of the fish by imitating natural bait and trick them into biting.  There are no guarantees with fishing, but having the right lures can be the difference between catching and going home skunked.

How To Catch Trout

Trout are one of the most popular freshwater game fish, so they’re a common target for anglers.  In clear waters, brightly colored lures work well. Copper and brass colors work well in slightly murkier waters. In dark waters, flashing colors can effectively lure in trout.

In waters with abundant trout, drift fishing can work well; simply cast your line upstream into a heavily concentrated area, and as your lure drifts through the water column, reel in to entice trout.

In calm waters like ponds, lakes and river pools, use a slow retrieve to get a trout to strike.  In faster water like rapids on streams and rivers, reel in the lures faster for more action in the water.  This will get the trout fired up and chase your artificial lure.

Related: Trout Fishing 101 – Tips and Techniques

Where To Fish for Trout

This species is found everywhere: rivers, lakes, streams, and so on. Trout prefer the cold, so in warm summer waters they’re less active. In cooler temperatures, trout are abundant and easy to catch. Look for trout in cool, slow moving waters. In the summer, look for deeper pockets or cover, and target that area to find where the trout are hiding.

You can find trout all across the United States, whether you’re looking for the best Pennsylvania trout steams or fishing in Colorado. One of the most famous states for fly fishing is Montana.  The movie, A River Runs Through It, focused their story on the Blackfoot river near Missoula Montana.  Trout prefer cooler waters so try fishing in Spring and Fall, so that’s the time for the best trout fishing.  Limestone streams are preferred because the water stays cooler year round.  Research the best fishing locations to find the best place to catch trout near you.

Best Color Lures for Trout

The color debate is always a lengthy one between anglers of all ages.  I feel most patterns and colors catch more fishermen, than trout.  I always had to have five different variations and patterns for each lure in my tackle box.  Here are my suggestions to cut through the clutter and pick the right colors.

Flash

Trout love a flash in the water, so definitely start with having a few spinners and lures with gold and silver parts.  These flashing patterns mimic a small minnow and bait fish swimming through the water.

Natural Colors

I like to have a lot of natural colors in my lure selection.  Blacks, browns, olive / green colors usually work well for native trout in wild population streams.  Try combining the lure colors and have some features or fur like bucktail on the spinners.  usually a flasher and the fly-like hairs will get some bites.

Weird

When all else fails, get a little weird with your color patterns.  There have been days when I was trying to match the hatch and fish with natural looking patterns all day and didn’t catch anything.  Then I switched to a bright pink or even chartreuse and started catching.  Sometimes it just pays to be different and stand out from the natural environment.

Other Trout Fishing Equipment

This list has a variety of lures that will make your fishing trip a success! We suggest fishing for trout with an ultra light fishing rod and reel.  This light action set up will give your lures the best looking movement in the water.