Want to catch more fish from the shore or boat? Choosing the right sea fishing lure is the key to success.
This guide explains the main types of sea fishing lures, when to use them, and our top recommendations for UK waters.
🌊 Why Use Lures for Sea Fishing?
Sea fishing lures are designed to mimic baitfish or other prey, triggering aggressive strikes from predators.
Unlike bait fishing, lures let you cover more water, target specific species, and enjoy more active fishing.
👉 Below, we’ll break down the top lure types for UK sea fishing and link to detailed guides for each.
🪝 Types of Sea Fishing Lures (and When to Use Them)
1. Soft Plastic Lures
- Realistic movement to mimic sandeels or small fish
- Deadly for species like sea bass and pollock
- Perfect for shore casting and light lure fishing
👉 Read more: Soft Plastic Lures for UK Sea Fishing
2. Hard Baits / Diving Plugs
- Hard-bodied lures with a wobbling, swimming action
- Ideal for sea bass and mackerel
- Available in floating, sinking, and suspending models
👉 See our guide: Best Hard Baits for Sea Bass in the UK
3. Metal Jigs & Casting Jigs
- Heavy lures for long-distance casting or deep-water jigging
- Excellent for mackerel, pollock, and cod
- Works from both shore and boat
👉 Learn: How to Fish with Metal Jigs
4. Spinners & Spoons
- Flash and vibration attract predatory fish
- Great for mackerel and garfish in bright conditions
- Simple and effective for beginners and pros alike
👉 See: Top Spinners for Summer Mackerel
5. Topwater Lures
- Creates surface commotion, imitating fleeing baitfish
- Explosive strikes from sea bass in calm conditions
- Best used at dawn, dusk, or on flat seas
👉 Explore: Topwater Lures for Bass Fishing
🏆 Our Top Recommended Sea Fishing Lures
Here are some of the best-selling and proven lures for UK saltwater fishing.
| Lure | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Savage Gear Sandeel | Sea bass, pollock | Buy on Amazon |
| Shimano Exsence Silent Assassin | Sea bass | Buy on Amazon |
| Heddon Super Spook | Topwater bass | Buy on Amazon |
| Dexter Wedge | Mackerel, pollock | Buy on Amazon |
💡 Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you.
🐠 Choosing the Right Sea Fishing Lure
When picking a lure, consider:
- Target species (bass, mackerel, pollock, cod)
- Fishing location (shallow surf, rocky marks, deep water)
- Sea conditions (tide, water clarity, swell)
- Your gear setup (rod power, reel size, braid strength)
💡 Not sure which lure to use?
👉 Try our Find the Perfect Lure Tool — simply select the time of year, water type, and fish species, and we’ll suggest the best lure options for you.
✅ Final Thoughts
Using the right lure for the conditions can make the difference between a blank session and a personal best.
- Bookmark this page as your sea lure reference.
- Check out our in-depth guides linked above.
- Visit our Gear & Equipment section for more recommendations.
🔥 Ready to catch more fish?
👉 See the Best Sea Fishing Lure Deals on Amazon UK now!