The short answer
The Worden’s Rooster Tail 1/8 oz is the spinner Yakima Bait calls “The World’s Most Versatile Multi Species Lure”, the Rebel Wee Crawfish is a crankbait Rebel says is “Effective on largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleyes, all species of trout”, and the Johnson Beetle Spin 1/4 oz is within the 1/8-1/4 oz range a poster on r/Fishing_Gear gives “for bass and other gamefish”.
Our verdict
Top Picks for Freshwater Lures
Searchers ask for versatile lures (Reddit’s “best all around lure for freshwater fishing” thread, People Also Ask’s “What lure catches every fish?”), and guides sort them by type. So this guide picks nine all-round lures in no ranked order, one or two per type, each tied to the freshwater species its maker or a named source names. Each link opens the exact size and colour described.
For bass-only or trout-only lists, see our bass lures for beginners, bass lures for winter and spinners for rainbow trout; more is in the fishing gear section.
Lure finder
Find a freshwater lure for your fish
Pick what you need it for and what you want to spend. The suggestion is our editorial starting point, drawn from the nine freshwater lures below, not a test result.
Price tiers: $ = lower priced, $$ = higher priced, relative to the products in this guide.
Compare the picks
Compare the 9 Freshwater Lures
Each row is the lure or pack the link opens, source first in each cell.
Worden's Rooster Tail 1/8 ozInline SpinnerTrout, bass, crappieYakima: 1/8 ozNot published$9.49
Evidence: Yakima Bait (maker page) (a retailer), not independent
Acme Kastmaster 1/4 ozDistance Casting SpoonTrout, striped bassAcme: 1/4 ozNot published$8.59
Evidence: Grumpy's Tackle (retailer) (a retailer), not independent
Eppinger Dardevlet 3/4 ozHeavy Wobbling SpoonBass, pike, walleyeMaker: 3/4 ozNot published$13.99
Evidence: Eppinger (maker page) (a retailer), not independent
Johnson Beetle Spin 1/4 ozSafety-Pin SpinnerBassListing: 1/4 ozNot published$2.49 Prime
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
Mister Twister Meeny 3 inCurly-Tail GrubBass, walleye, crappieNot publishedNot published$8.99
Evidence: Mister Twister (maker-hosted customer reviews) (a retailer), not independent
Z-Man Finesse TRD 2.75 inNed Rig PlasticSmallmouth, walleyeNot publishedNot published$8.29
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
Rebel Wee CrawfishCrawfish CrankbaitBass, trout, walleyeMaker: 1/5 ozMaker: 5 to 7 ft$7.97 Prime
Evidence: Rebel (maker page) (a retailer), not independent
Rapala Husky Jerk HJ10Suspending JerkbaitSmallmouthMaker: 3/8 ozMaker: 4 to 8 ft$6.97 Prime
Evidence: Bass Pro 1Source (sells it) (a retailer), not independent
Arbogast Jitterbug G600Night TopwaterBass, pike, nightMaker: 3/8 ozMaker: topwater$11.72 Prime
Evidence: Arbogast (maker page) (a retailer), not independent
How These Freshwater Lures Were Chosen
How this guide was built
built from manufacturer documentation, published third-party reviews and owner reports; we have not tested these products ourselves.
What each pick had to meet
- A maker, a named fishing site or a named forum thread ties the lure to freshwater species in its own words.
- The link opens that exact size and colour, in stock on Amazon at the time of writing.
- Specs as the maker lists them; “not published” where it gives none.
One lure per type and sources and how they are graded
One lure per type
The grouping follows the families in our types of fishing lures guide. The grub and the Ned rig need a jighead, sold separately.
Sources and how they are graded
Seven picks rest on makers or retailers (Yakima Bait, Eppinger, Rebel, Arbogast, Mister Twister’s hosted reviews, Grumpy’s Tackle, Bass Pro): not independent. Two rest on Reddit posters, graded as owner reports.
Detailed Reviews: Freshwater Lures by Type
Worden’s Rooster Tail 1/8 oz, Inline Spinner
Verdict
The spinner its maker sells as a multi-species lure, at 1/8 oz.
Evidence: Retailer review (sells it), not independent. Yakima Bait (maker page): Rooster Tail range, size not stated.
Yakima Bait’s Rooster Tail page says the Rooster Tail “is known as The World’s Most Versatile Multi Species Lure.” In the r/Fishing_Gear thread, a poster named “rooster tails and micro crank baits,” adding, “both of those will catch large mouth bass, small mouth bass, trout, crappie, sunfish”. Our rainbow trout spinner guide links the 1/16 oz; this page links the 1/8 oz. Sold by Welch Products on Amazon at the time of writing, not by Amazon.com or Yakima Bait, at more than twice Yakima’s own price.
Specs: Worden’s Rooster Tail, Original, 1/8 oz, White
Pros
- Inline spinner its maker sells as a multi-species lure, in a 1/8 oz size
Cons
- Priced on Amazon at more than twice Yakima’s own price at the time of writing
- Weight: 1/8 oz (Yakima Bait)
- Price tier: $$ (live price in the table above)
Acme Kastmaster 1/4 oz, Distance Casting Spoon
Verdict
A compact spoon sold for its casting distance, at the 1/4 oz size.
Evidence: Retailer review (sells it), not independent. Grumpy’s Tackle (retailer): Kastmaster range, size not stated.
Grumpy’s Tackle, a retailer, calls it “the master distance caster” that “catches fish from pan-sized trout to bragging-sized stripers – in fresh and salt water.” Length and hook come from Grumpy’s size table, which gives the 1/4 oz as about 2-3/8 in with a No. 8 treble; Acme publishes neither. Trade-off against pick 3: a third of the Dardevlet’s weight, for lighter tackle. Sold by Reveal Outdoors on Amazon at the time of writing, not by Amazon.com or Acme.
Specs: Acme Kastmaster, 1/4 oz, Copper
Pros
- Spoon sold for distance casting, in fresh and salt water
Cons
- Length and hook from a retailer’s table, not Acme
- Length: about 2-3/8 in (Grumpy’s Tackle, retailer)
- Hook: No. 8 (Grumpy’s Tackle, retailer)
- Price tier: $$ (live price in the table above)
Eppinger Dardevlet 3/4 oz, Heavy Wobbling Spoon
Verdict
The 3/4 oz version of the Dardevle, tagged by its maker for bass, pike and walleye.
Evidence: Retailer review (sells it), not independent. Eppinger (maker page): Dardevlet 3/4 oz.
Eppinger’s Dardevlet page lists 3/4 oz and 2-7/8 in by 1-3/16 in, tags it “Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye”, and says the Dardevle line is “a versatile tool for virtually all types of fish, and fishing conditions.” Trade-off against pick 2: three times the weight, so heavier tackle. Sold by Hour Loop on Amazon at the time of writing, not by Amazon.com or Eppinger.
Specs: Eppinger Dardevlet, 3/4 oz, 2-7/8 in, Copper Back
Pros
- Classic wobbling spoon its maker tags for bass, northern pike and walleye
Cons
- Too heavy at 3/4 oz for ultralight tackle
- Priced on Amazon at nearly twice Eppinger’s own price at the time of writing
- Size: 3/4 oz, 2-7/8 in x 1-3/16 in (Eppinger)
- Price tier: $$ (live price in the table above)
Johnson Beetle Spin 1/4 oz, Safety-Pin Spinner
Pond and lake anglers after bass; the same poster steps down to 1/32-1/16 oz for crappie.
$2.49 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 09:23 UTCVerdict
A spinner jig at 1/4 oz, the top of the size range a poster gives for bass.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. r/Fishing_Gear thread: Beetle Spin, 1/32 to 1/4 oz.
A poster on r/Fishing_Gear wrote, “Use 1/32-1/16 oz for crappie and panfish and 1/8-1/4 for bass and other gamefish,” and that “unlike inline spinners like roostertail, they do not impart line twist.” Tackle Warehouse, a retailer, says it “works great on a variety of species”. Trade-off against pick 1: no line twist, per that poster. Sold by Amazon.com at the time of writing.
Specs: Johnson Beetle Spin, 1/4 oz, 2 in, Black/Yellow Stripe (BSVP1/4-BYS)
Pros
- Spinner jig that a poster says does not twist line
Cons
- 1/4 oz is the poster’s bass size; panfish want 1/32-1/16 oz
Who should buy it
Pond and lake anglers after bass; the same poster steps down to 1/32-1/16 oz for crappie.
- Weight: 1/4 oz (listing)
- Length: 2 in (listing)
- Price tier: $ (live price in the table above)
Mister Twister Meeny 3 in, Curly-Tail Grub
Anglers who want one soft bait for bass, walleye and crappie.
$8.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 09:23 UTCVerdict
The original curly-tail grub body, at the 3 in size customers name for bass, walleye and crappie.
Evidence: Retailer review (sells it), not independent. Mister Twister (maker-hosted customer reviews): 3 in Meeny, colour not stated.
Mister Twister’s Meeny page calls it “the original Curly Tail® lure” and says it “can be rigged with jigheads as heavy as 3/8 oz.” On its customer testimonials page, customer reviews of the 3 in Meeny list largemouth, smallmouth and walleye, and one Wisconsin angler reports crappie. These are maker-hosted reviews, not independent tests. Sold by Reveal Outdoors on Amazon at the time of writing, not by Amazon.com or Mister Twister.
Specs: Mister Twister Meeny, 3 in, Yellow (MTSF20-2)
Pros
- Curly-tail grub that rigs on jigheads up to 3/8 oz
Cons
- Needs a jighead, sold separately
- Priced on Amazon above Mister Twister’s own bag price at the time of writing; the Amazon title does not state the count
- Length: 3 in (Mister Twister)
- Jighead: not included; up to 3/8 oz (Mister Twister)
- Price tier: $$ (live price in the table above)
Z-Man Finesse TRD 2.75 in, Ned Rig Plastic
River and lake anglers fishing rocky bottoms for smallmouth and walleye.
$8.29 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 09:23 UTCVerdict
The 2.75 in Ned rig bait Z-Man sells as its original Ned stickworm.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. r/bassfishing thread: Finesse TRD, colour not stated.
Z-Man’s product page calls it “the original 2.75″ Ned Rig stickworm” made of “floating, ElaZtech® material”. A poster on r/bassfishing wrote, “I caught 32 smallmouth and 3 walleye the other day using the Zman TRD and a 1/8oz Ned head. I do not use it in heavy vegetation.” Trade-off against pick 5: the poster rates it for rocky structure. Sold by RJL Market on Amazon at the time of writing, not by Amazon.com or Z-Man.
Specs: Z-Man Finesse TRD, 2.75 in, Green Pumpkin Orange, 8-pack (TRD275-47PK8)
Pros
- Buoyant Ned stickworm a poster used for smallmouth and walleye on a 1/8 oz head
Cons
- Needs a Ned jighead, sold separately; the poster avoids heavy weeds
- Priced on Amazon about half again above Z-Man’s own 8-pack price at the time of writing
Who should buy it
River and lake anglers fishing rocky bottoms for smallmouth and walleye.
- Length: 2.75 in (Z-Man)
- Jighead: not included (Z-Man sells ShroomZ and NedlockZ heads)
- Price tier: $$ (live price in the table above)
Rebel Wee Crawfish, Crawfish Crankbait
Verdict
A 2 in crawfish crankbait its maker names for bass, walleye and trout.
Evidence: Retailer review (sells it), not independent. Rebel (maker page): Wee Crawfish F76.
Rebel’s product page says the Wee Crawfish is “Effective on largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleyes, all species of trout and other gamefish,” and lists the F76 at 2 in, 1/5 oz, No. 8 hooks and 5 to 7 ft. Sold by Amazon.com at the time of writing.
Specs: Rebel Wee Crawfish F76, 2 in, 1/5 oz, Natural Tan
Pros
- Small crankbait its maker names for bass, walleye and every trout species
Cons
- Lightest of the three plugs here, at 1/5 oz against 3/8 oz for the Husky Jerk and Jitterbug (makers’ figures)
- Running depth: 5 to 7 ft (Rebel)
- Hooks: No. 8 (Rebel)
- Price tier: $ (live price in the table above)
Rapala Husky Jerk HJ10, Suspending Jerkbait
Verdict
A suspending jerkbait a Bass Pro writer fished for river smallmouth in cold water.
Evidence: Retailer review (sells it), not independent. Bass Pro 1Source (sells it): Husky Jerk, size not stated.
Rapala’s Husky Jerk page lists the HJ10 at 4 in, 3/8 oz and 4 to 8 ft, with two No. 6 hooks, and its series page says it works “in warm or cold water”. In a Bass Pro 1Source article (Bass Pro sells it), the writer fished suspending jerkbaits for “the foraging smallmouth bass” on rocky flats “With the water temperature in the high 40s”; he does not state the size. See also jerkbaits for bass. Sold by Amazon.com at the time of writing.
Specs: Rapala Husky Jerk HJ10, 4 in, 3/8 oz, Glass Minnow
Pros
- Suspending jerkbait Rapala says works in warm or cold water, cast or trolled
Cons
- The Bass Pro writer does not state the size he used
- Running depth: 4 to 8 ft (Rapala)
- Hooks: two No. 6 (Rapala)
- Price tier: $ (live price in the table above)
Arbogast Jitterbug G600, Night Topwater
Verdict
A cupped-lip topwater Arbogast names for bass, pike, muskie and panfish.
Evidence: Retailer review (sells it), not independent. Arbogast (maker page): Jitterbug, all sizes.
Arbogast’s product page calls it “the most respected topwater lure for night fishing” and lists “Species: Bass, Muskie, Northern Pike, Panfish” and gives the G600 at 2-1/2 in, 3/8 oz and No. 5 trebles. Against the others it fishes only the surface. Sold by Amazon.com at the time of writing.
Specs: Arbogast Jitterbug G600, 2-1/2 in, 3/8 oz, Fire Tiger
Pros
- Cupped-lip surface lure its maker names for night fishing
Cons
- Surface only; no use when fish hold deep
- Priced on Amazon above Arbogast’s own list price at the time of writing
- Depth: topwater (Arbogast)
- Hooks: No. 5 treble (Arbogast)
- Price tier: $$ (live price in the table above)
Fishing Lures for Freshwater: Matching Type to Species
Trout and panfish
For crappie and panfish, the Beetle Spin poster steps down to 1/32-1/16 oz; the Rooster Tail poster names crappie and sunfish, and Grumpy’s Tackle names trout for the Kastmaster. To attach any of them, see how to tie on a fishing lure.
Bass
Eight of the nine picks have a largemouth or smallmouth bass tie from their source; Grumpy’s names stripers (striped bass) for the Kastmaster. For a rod to throw them, see our freshwater fishing rods.
Pike and walleye
Eppinger tags the Dardevlet for both; Rebel names walleye for the Wee Crawfish; Arbogast names northern pike for the Jitterbug.
Frequently Asked Questions About Freshwater Lures
Q. What is the best lure for freshwater fish?
No source names one. Two makers claim broad reach: Yakima Bait (“Multi Species”) and Eppinger (“virtually all types of fish”).
Q. What lure catches every fish?
None is shown to. A poster on r/Fishing said a beetle spin, inline spinner and curly tail grub on a jighead are “All pretty universal fish catchers, just adjust size based on target species.”
Q. What is the best lure to use in a lake?
No source we read names one. By the makers’ depths: Jitterbug at the surface, Rebel Wee Crawfish 5 to 7 ft, Husky Jerk HJ10 4 to 8 ft.
The bottom line
Final Verdict
Spinners: the Worden’s Rooster Tail 1/8 oz (check price) or Johnson Beetle Spin 1/4 oz (check price). Spoons: the light Acme Kastmaster 1/4 oz (check price) or the heavier Eppinger Dardevlet 3/4 oz (check price). Soft plastics: the Mister Twister Meeny 3 in (check price) or Z-Man Finesse TRD 2.75 in (check price), both on a jighead. Hard baits: the Rebel Wee Crawfish (check price), the Rapala Husky Jerk HJ10 (check price) and the Arbogast Jitterbug G600 (check price).
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
