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Artificial lures have such an interesting history. In their early stages, artificial fishing lures were made of metal in the shape of a spoon but have since evolved into what we understand as lures today. Here are our top six best fishing lures suitable for any avid angler. Lil’ Zipper Dipper Charlie’s Worms Lil’ Zipper Dipper is the perfect freshwater or saltwater soft plastics lure for largemouth bass, walleye, lake trout, musky, pike, and more. These lures rig up easy for when you’re really itching to get your line in the water. Their baitfish shape means that they move more naturally in the water to draw attention.  9” Trolling Lure Trolling is one of the most popular forms of fishing, and while some believe that it is a way of luck, that’s not entirely true. Having the right lures and getting saltwater fishing tips from your peers can give you a leg up. These 9” lures have heavy-duty skirts, life-like eye movement, and strong construction that makes them ideal for any big game fish like Mahi Mahi and Tuna. Jig Head Small but mighty, Charlie’s jig heads are one of the most customizable lures, which makes them some of the most versatile tools in an angler’s arsenal. With a simple jig head, you can liven up your live bait and make them more appealing to your target fish. You can also team them up with saltwater soft plastics that move in the water. No matter what you fish with, you should keep jig heads with you. Flash Jig This slim design flash jig is ultra attractive to fish of all kinds but works best for: Tarpon Grouper Cobia Snook Striped Bass Snapper Spanish Mackerel This flashy fish lure has a holographic ribbon and holographic details with mylar skirting and a two-tone eye pattern. If you are looking for a great all-around jig that is meant for larger target fish, then this is something you need to have on hand.  Jiggin’ Dipper This Jiggin’ Dipper is fantastic. Really, it’s the best of both worlds. It has the allure of the bucktail jig combined with the natural movement of soft bait. It works in freshwater and saltwater, but keep in mind the weight of the lure and fish accordingly. Check out our online shop for all these saltwater lures and more. If you aren’t sure what you want, or you want a variety to try, we offer fishing kits that are optimized for the type of fishing you plan on doing. Ask any questions you have and we’ll do our best to help you find what you’re looking for.

If You Love Bacon and Ceviche, This Killer Sinuglaw Recipe Is For You No matter if you’ve loaded up the freezer with yellowfin this spring, or you’re still slaying the blackfin now, this tuna Sinuglaw recipe is a must try. While it tastes best with fresh caught tuna, you can thaw out any tuna you already have to prepare this smoky, fatty, and tart dish in a jiff. But… Since there’s no replacement for fresh caught tuna, you may need to head offshore to catch some… and It’s well worth it! Here’s how we catch ‘em: We troll a five-line spread of Tuna Darts. Four lines on the riggers and one shotgun. We put the short rigger lines back 75 and 100 feet, with the long riggers out 150 and 200 feet. Our shotgun line goes waaaay back. At least 300 feet, and we troll for tuna at 6-7 kts. Keep your eyes on the skies and find the birds. Chances are, that’s where the tuna will be. Try to stay ahead of the birds (don’t run through them) and watch that shotgun line. It’s usually the first to get bit. Now, both blackfin and yellowfin tuna love to strike these Tuna Darts, so be sure your fish box is loaded with ice before you head out. Alright…  now that you’ve loaded up the box with tuna, it’s time to head in and make some Sinuglaw. What is Sinuglaw? Sinuglaw is an Asian cousin to ceviche. It’s a combination of pork belly (or thick cut bacon) and vinegar-cured fish with fresh veggies and herbs. But unlike ceviche, the addition of pork in Sinuglaw offers you a much more savory bite. While there are quite a few ingredients in Sinuglaw, you’ll see it’s actually pretty easy to make. Here’s what you’ll need to make enough for four people. ½ pound of fresh yellowfin or blackfin tuna, cut into squares ½ pound grilled pork belly or thick cut bacon ½ cup white vinegar ½ cup coconut milk 1 tablespoon fish sauce 1 tablespoon lime juice 2 tablespoons sliced red onion 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped 1 cup diced cucumber, skin removed ¼ cup tomatoes, cut into small pieces 1 medium avocado, peeled and diced 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger ¼ cup fresh cilantro 1 tablespoon lemon, or lime zest Sea salt and pepper to taste Since Sinuglaw is a cold dish, you’ll want to cook your pork belly first, then refrigerate it. But don’t overcook it, you’ll want plenty of that savory, salty fat to pull it all together. In a large bowl, toss your raw, fresh tuna with the white vinegar and a little bit of sea salt and pepper. Mix it up good and place it in the fridge for at least 2 to 3 hours. The longer the tuna sits in the vinegar, the more it “cooks.” As your tuna is curing in the fridge, get another bowl and stir together the coconut milk, lime juice, onion, jalapeno, fish sauce and ginger. Once your tuna is ready, remove it from the vinegar mix and add it to a serving bowl. Now pour the coconut milk mix in, and top the fish with your cooked pork belly, avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, and cilantro. Toss it all together, zest with lemon or lime and enjoy! Now, if you aren’t catching enough tuna to make this dish, you’re using the wrong lures. We suggest trying our Tuna Darts, because like we said earlier, the yellowfin and blackfin can’t resist ‘em.

Should you go with live bait, natural dead bait? Or would you be better off with artificial lure like a jigging dipper? If you’re like most fishing enthusiasts, these are some of the most pivotal decisions you’ll make before hitting the water. When it comes to freshwater or saltwater fishing, which fishing rigs you put on the end of you line could be crucial to a successful day. Artificial bait and natural bait both have their time and place. Just like tools, there’s always one for the right situation. Allow us at Rite Angler to show you when to go natural and when to go artificial. By the end of this post, you’ll know the benefits of artificial and natural baits and when to use them. Let’s dive in. The Benefits of Artificial Bait Artificial bait has grown in popularity, mainly due to its durability and the choices available. The synthetic material of artificial baits or fishing rigs makes storage and tying hassle-free. The variety in colors makes them interesting to both use and collect. Here are some more benefits of artificial bait: Reusability Artificial bait is synthetic, so there’s no need to worry about decaying or having to store it in a tank with circulating water. In addition, the synthetic material of artificial baits makes them reusable, so they save you a drive to your local fishing shop. Even after a massive strike, artificial baits can be used over and over again, saving the angler tons of money. Cleanliness Artificial rigs are also cleaner compared to natural bait. They don’t smell! They aren’t slimy, and they never die in your live well either. After a day of fishing, a quick fresh-water wash and they go right back into your tacklebox, ready for your next trip. So it’s clear that artificial bait is easy to handle. Just watch out for the hook! Good artificials, like those from Rite Angler have extremely sharp hooks. Excellent Visibility in murky conditions Artificial baits come in a variety of colors that make them stick out like clownfish in a clean aquarium. Because of their visibility, artificial baits are excellent choices when the water is mucked up — which could be the case for saltwater fishing during tide changes or big rains, or freshwater fishing in bubbling rivers and silty lakes. Best for Catch-and-release Saltwater/Freshwater Fishing If you’ve ever used natural bait, you know predators can gut-hooked easily, even if you’re using circle hooks. This isn’t too bad if you’re fishing for your next meal, or plan to keep all your catch. However, gut hooking isn’t what you want for fishery preservation, or if you’re catching non-targeted species. If you’re doing some catch-and-release fishing, opt for artificial bait to go with your fishing rigs. Because of the necessary action on the bait created by the angler, gut hooking is far less common with artificial baits. The Benefits of Natural Bait Natural bait is messy, expensive and require constant replacement via frequent drives to the tackle store or cast netting/catching… and often die in the live well. Despite these minor inconveniences, natural baits have a lot to offer. Maximized Chances of Catching Fish Whether it’s freshwater or saltwater fishing, natural bait like worms, goggle eyes and speedos are attractive to fish. Fish will flock wherever they sense natural bait like worms and bait balls gathering. As a result, you’ll catch something easier — even if you’re not paying attention. An Even Better Choice for Muddy or Murky Water Natural bait doesn’t need to swim in high visibility water to draw fish. Even if the water isn’t clear, predators can sense the movements and nervousness of live baits in almost any water condition. Free — If You Know Where to Look or have good cast net skills Worms are everywhere and so are saltwater baits. Also, if you’re already cultivating some perch or bluegills, or have a pen full of pinfish, why drive to the tackle shop? If you have the time, patience, and skill to catch or cultivate it, live bait can be free… unless you’re buying it, of course. But keep in mind, if you have to buy it, live bait can be extremely expensive and must be handled with kid gloves. When in Doubt, Try It Out Both kinds of bait — natural and artificial — can be excellent choices for your fishing trip. Of course, each has its place. But utilizing both is part of what makes freshwater and saltwater fishing so much fun. Whether you’re experimenting with new baits, techniques and rigs or not, you’ll should always include the best artificials in you tackle box. They’re proven to work in almost any conditions, on almost any fish and can last years. Let us hook you up. Find everything you need from artificial trolling baits and jigs, full rigs and tackle at Rite Angler!