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Fishing Gear - A Hundred Fishing Lures There are more than a hundred unique types of fishing lures, with thousands of variations within them. The ingenuity of fishermen knows no bounds when stalking that elusive trout or bass or pike. The basic idea is the same no matter the design and it's captured nicely by the very name: lure. Fish aren't famous for being eager to jump onto the hook. They have to be lured. The variety of ways discovered over the centuries to do that is astounding. Flies alone, for example, have been around since at least the end of the 17th century, though some references discuss similar devices from as early as 200 AD. Most try to resemble something the fish will find tasty, which naturally varies from species to species and place to place. Here are just a few... Spoons are shaped somewhat like what their name suggests. That's not something one would expect the average fish to find attractive. But when they're in motion in the water, they do look a little like tiny minnows, which are often used as live bait. A hook (sometimes a three-pronged treble) is fastened inside the bowl and the weight of the lure makes it ideal for casting and trolling. Plugs may be shaped like minnows and sport hooks at one end and in the middle. They may be anywhere from an inch to eight inches long and can also resemble crayfish or other tasty morsels. Some varieties float on the surface and so acquire the name floaters, where they lure top feeding species to their doom. Spinners are designed for what their name suggests - to spin in the water as the line is moved or a current moves the terminal tackle. They come in as wide a variety as there are species of fish. They have a central portion with loops at both ends for attaching line and hook. They might be made of a row of colored beads, metal rings or any other shiny element. When they spin they sparkle. Jigs may have a name that sounds like a dance, but they're designed in the hope that the only dancing is that of the fish on the end of the line. No, that's not the origin of the name. Since they don't resemble any live bait, it's surprising that they often work so well. But work they do. Made of a lead blob the size and shape of a small fish's head, they have an eye at one end and a hook at the other. An attachment called a skirt is often used to disguise the hook. Fish are more clever than you would suppose. Jigs and other types can also incorporate a very handy mechanism called a swivel. This simple but clever device allows the lure to turn rather than twisting the fishing line. That has all sorts of advantages, since a twisted line can more easily snap, is difficult to reel in and causes other nasty problems. Anglers already have enough to do without making things tough for themselves. Whether made of metal, plastic or the most exotic material around (any you can imagine has been tried), lures are the business end that starts the fishing game going. Match the type to the quarry you're after and you'll never have to talk about the one that got away. Well, almost never.