How deep does a plug run?

The lip decides: short and steep runs shallow, long and flat runs deep. A floating plug dives as you retrieve and rises when you stop, a sinking one goes down while you wait, and a suspending one holds the depth it has. Retrieve speed and line thickness shift the depth by centimetres, not metres.

When should I use a plug instead of a spoon?

When you want to hold one depth for a while, or when the fish are hunting baitfish and want something shaped like a fish rather than a flash. A plug is also easier to fish slowly without losing its action, which counts in cold water.

Plug guide: types, depth and retrieve

Floating, sinking or suspending plug?

A floating plug gives the best depth control, a sinking one reaches down to where the fish are, and a suspending one hangs still on the pause.

Floating

Floats at rest and dives on the retrieve. Best depth control and good over shallow water.

Sinking (countdown)

Sinks so you can count down to the depth the fish hold at.

Suspending

Hangs still in the water on the pause, often triggering hesitant fish.

Lipless / vibration

No lip, vibrates strongly and covers a lot of water fast.

How do you fish a plug?

Reel steadily with small pauses, and twitch it now and then to wake active fish and pike.

Diving depth

The size and angle of the lip set the depth. Thin line and longer casts run deeper.

Retrieve

A steady retrieve with small pauses. Twitches and jerks wake active fish and pike.

In a river

Hold the plug in the current seam and let it work on the spot, or ease it downstream.

Colour

Natural baitfish colours in clear water, bold colours and contrast in coloured water.

Well-known plugs

The Rapala Original Floating is a classic floating plug for trout and pike, and the Nils Master Invincible is a Finnish plug for big trout and pike.

Rapala Original Floating
Trout & pike
A floating balsa plug with a natural, soft action. The all-time trout and pike plug.
Rapala Countdown
Trout
A sinking plug you can count down to the depth you want. Good when the fish are holding deeper.
Rapala Shad Rap
Trout & perch
A natural shad profile with a calm action on a slow retrieve. Good on shy fish.
Nils Master Invincible
Big trout & pike
A handmade Finnish plug with a strong wobble. Strong on big trout and pike.
Salmo Hornet
Perch & trout
A compact, blunt-nosed plug with a tight, high-frequency vibration. Effective on perch and trout.

Common questions

How deep does a plug run?: The lip decides: short and steep runs shallow, long and flat runs deep. A floating plug dives as you retrieve and rises when you stop, a sinking one goes down while you wait, and a suspending one holds the depth it has. Retrieve speed and line thickness shift the depth by centimetres, not metres. Types, depth and retrieve
When should I use a plug instead of a spoon?: When you want to hold one depth for a while, or when the fish are hunting baitfish and want something shaped like a fish rather than a flash. A plug is also easier to fish slowly without losing its action, which counts in cold water.