What is the difference between a spoon, a spinner and a plug?

A spoon is a curved metal blade that wobbles and flashes, and casts heaviest and furthest. A spinner has a blade rotating around a shaft, making pressure waves a fish feels before it sees them. A plug is shaped like a fish and runs at a set depth. One of each in three sizes covers most situations.

Which lure should a beginner start with?

A handful of spoons and spinners between five and twelve grams in silver and copper will cover most Norwegian inland waters. Buy few and fish them properly rather than filling a box: most shiny lures in the right size catch fish, and how you work them matters more than the brand.

Lure guide: the lure types and when to use what

Here are spoon, spinner, plug and jig, and when to use what. Each type has its own guide. All advisory, adapt it to the water and species.

When do you use a spoon, spinner, plug or jig?

Use a spinner in clear water and rivers, a spoon for long casts and deep water, a plug for active fish and pike, and a jig for perch.

Pick by species, water, depth and how active the fish are.

Spinner

Trout & grayling, clear water

An all-round first choice. The blade flashes and vibrates on a steady retrieve and is easy to fish. Best in clear to lightly coloured water, in rivers and small lakes.

Spinner guide

Spoon

Big waters & trolling

When you need long casts or want to get down deep. It sinks well and gives plenty of flash. Strong on big trout and Arctic char, and when trolling or with an otter board.

Spoon guide

Plug

Active fish & pike

Imitates baitfish with its own action. Good on active fish and pike, and when you want to hold a set depth (floating, sinking or diving depth).

Plug guide

Jig / softbait

Perch & passive fish

Along the bottom and edges with a slow, twitchy retrieve. Effective on perch and pike, and on passive fish in cold water.

Well-known jigs

A softbait on a jig head is an affordable jig for perch and pike, and a microjig on light gear takes shoaling perch and shy trout.

Softbait / shad on a jig head
Perch & pike
Soft plastic on a jig head fished along the bottom and edges. Cheap and very effective on perch and pike.
Microjig
Perch & trout
Small jigs on light gear for shoaling perch and shy trout in clear water.

Common questions

What is the difference between a spoon, a spinner and a plug?: A spoon is a curved metal blade that wobbles and flashes, and casts heaviest and furthest. A spinner has a blade rotating around a shaft, making pressure waves a fish feels before it sees them. A plug is shaped like a fish and runs at a set depth. One of each in three sizes covers most situations. The lure types and when to use what
Which lure should a beginner start with?: A handful of spoons and spinners between five and twelve grams in silver and copper will cover most Norwegian inland waters. Buy few and fish them properly rather than filling a box: most shiny lures in the right size catch fish, and how you work them matters more than the brand. The gear guide