Hard body lures — solid plastic or wooden lures that swim or wobble through the water — are one of the most effective ways to catch fish in either fresh or salt water. They're versatile, last for years, work across dozens of species, and reward learning a few specific techniques.

Here's the practical guide to hard body lure fishing — what they are, the main types, and how to use them on Aussie species like golden perch, trout and redfin.

Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash

"Hard body" distinguishes from "soft plastic" lures. Hard body lures have rigid plastic, wooden or resin bodies. They're designed to swim, wobble, dive or float in specific ways — controlled by body shape + bib design. The category includes:

• Bibbed minnows (the most common type — see our six lure types guide)
• Crankbaits / fat plugs — wider, more buoyant, deeper-diving
• Surface lures (poppers, walkers, prop-baits) — float + create surface commotion
• Lipless crankbaits / vibration lures — no bib, vibrate when retrieved
• Stickbaits — pencil-shaped, finesse retrieves

• Best lures: 5-7cm fat plug crankbaits in gold, chartreuse or red. Stumpjumper or Rapala DT series
• Where: snags, weed edges, drop-offs in lakes (Mulwala, Eildon, Eppalock) + slow river pools (Murray)
• Technique: slow steady retrieve along structure. Pause occasionally — yellowbelly often hit on the pause
• Best season: spring to autumn, water temp above 16°C
• Time of day: dawn + dusk are gold; overcast days fish all day

• Best lures: 4-7cm slim minnows. Rapala Original Floater (rainbow trout pattern is classic), suspending Rapala X-Rap
• Where: highland rivers (Tas, NSW Snowys, Vic alps), stocked lakes (Eucumbene, Jindabyne, Tantangara, Bullen Merri)
• Technique in rivers: cast UPSTREAM at 45°, retrieve back faster than the current. Lure swims natural
• Technique in lakes: trolling at 2-3 knots, vary depth + speed until you find them. Or cast + retrieve along the shoreline at dawn
• Best season: September-May (winter shut season in many trout waters — check state regs)

• Best lures: 4-6cm hard body minnows in gold/silver/red, or small lipless crankbaits (vibration lures) in chrome or fire-tiger
• Where: structured drop-offs in lakes + dams (Hume, Eildon, Wyangala). Redfin school up — find one + you'll find dozens
• Technique: cast + retrieve, OR vertical jigging from a boat over schools shown on sounder
• Best season: autumn + winter (cold water actually concentrates them)
• Bonus: redfin are an introduced pest — keep + eat all you catch (no bag limits in most states)

Six lures cover most freshwater situations:

• 5cm Rapala Original Floater in rainbow trout (river trout)
• 5cm Rapala Original Floater in gold (estuary + lake bream)
• 7cm Rapala Suspending X-Rap in chrome (lake trout, redfin)
• 7cm Stumpjumper or Codger in gold-orange (golden perch, Murray cod)
• 5cm lipless crankbait in chrome (vertical jigging, school redfin)
• 9cm shallow-running plug in fluoro green/orange (Murray cod surface work)

Total: $100-180. Catches most native + introduced freshwater species.

• Tie hard body lures with a loop knot (not direct knot) — lets the lure swim freely + with more action
• Add a small swivel 30cm above the leader if line twist is a problem
• Replace stock trebles with stronger after-market trebles for serious fish (factory hooks bend on big cod)
• Inspect after every fish — bent hooks miss the next one
• Match colour to water clarity: clear water = natural muted; dirty water = bright fluoro
• Vary speed across the retrieve until you find what triggers the day's bite
• Snag recovery: point the rod tip AT the snag, pull straight back. The lure often pops free

Hard body lure casting is the most rewarding form of fishing once you've got the basics. No bait smell, no constant re-baiting, just cast + retrieve + repeat. The visual takes (especially on shallow water + surface lures) are unforgettable.

Start with the six-lure starter box, focus on one species at a time, and build the confidence + skill across seasons. By year two you'll be the angler your mates ask for advice.