Best Multi-Species Lures?

[shanksmare]

I would have to say that the most effective multi species lure for freshwater (at least for me) was the original wooden Helin's Flatfish. I think I caught just about every species that inhabited SE Massachusetts on this lure in the 1960's and 1970's.

Other versatile lures would include an Al's Goldfish and a plain old 1/8 - 1/4 oz black bucktail jig (with or without a curly tailed trailer).

 

More recently here in SW FLA I've caught numerous species on a 1/4 oz tandem Spinnerbait.

 

In saltwater, its tough to beat a Bomber swimmer. It will catch just about any fish that feeds on smaller fish.

[Crestliner2008]

All I would need is one. A 1/8 oz. jig head with a 3" curly tailed grub on the back.

[Heron]

I have tried the Walking Worms and caught fish, but i guess its time to try the Snake... I'll probably order some this summer, and try them out at a pond up the road. You never know, it might actually catch a fish.

I have a hunch that the snake wont do much good on my waters.   Ive watched numerous water snakes swim past when fishing, and have to see any of them snatched by a fish.

[the reel ess]

Small curly tail grub, inline spinner, Beetle Spin.

[Derekbass02]

1 Small Inline Spinner

2 Mid sized Curly tail grub on Jighead

3 Large Inline Spinner

These three baits could probably catch most of the fish that you listed.

[KayakBasser]

1 curl tail grub on jig head

2   Strike King  rocket shad

3 1/8 ounce C.C. jigging spoon

Spot on.

[gobig]

Funny but I was going to mention float and fly but I didn't think anyone would know what I was referring to, so I went with inline spinners.

Flies with floats (and/or) weights on a spinning rod will catch just about anything....top to bottom as you mentioned.

 

 

The cool part about the float n fly. Very few people throw it, nor do they understand its fish catching capabilities. 

[Rico’s Roughnecks]

This is a pretty old thread, but I’ve been thinking about this alot…

 

-tiny inline spinner

-tiny silver spoon

-tiny translucent paddletail w/tiny jig head

 

I’ve found I get more diversity in species and sizes using 1/16oz lures and 2” paddletails.

 

 

 

[leinad]

mushroom jig head 1/16

 

1.missile bait ned bomb

2.gene larew inch worm

3.big bite limit maker worm

[UNC1078]

Panther martin inline

ned rig

rapala original floating minnow

[MN Fisher]

Mepps Comet

 

I've caught bluegill, crappie, trout, bass and pike on those.

[ironbjorn]

Whether you want to catch a lot of fish or a lot of different fish, the answer is always the Ned Rig.

[flyfisher]

Banjo minnow

Helicopter lure

flying lure

 

 

 

 

[GreenPig]

-Rapala Original floater F05 in Rainbow Trout

 - Beetle Spin 

 - Rooster Tail

[lo-fi-hi-fi]

[Bass Rutten]

Charlie brewer 1.5” grub on a 1/16 jig.
White 2” tube jig w/insert under float.

Gulp 3” minnow, split-shot rigged.

[Bluebasser86]

In a lake I fish often, in a single day on a Ned rig, I caught;

 

Largemouth bass

smallmouth bass

flathead catfish

channel catfish

warmouth

green sunfish

rainbow trout

walleye

drum

yellow perch

white bass

wiper

white crappie

 

and a partridge in a pear tree. 

[Jaderose]

I'll take just one....Mepps Comet Mino but if I HAD to add one more?  YoZuri Snap Bean Chrome/Blue

[Mr. Aquarium]

A hair jig. 
spoon 

Original floating minnow. 

 

[the reel ess]

Since we're in winter, I can think of a time when I got some big bass to take a larger Rooster Tail. I was casting out, yanking off the bottom and letting it fall, like a jigging spoon or blade bait. 

[Mr. Aquarium]

On 12/11/2021 at 3:29 PM, UNC1078 said:

Panther martin inline

ned rig

rapala original floating minnow

The floating minnow is a good one! Such a versatile lure that will catch everything 

[bowhunter63]

Curly tail grub or a fuzze grub tipped with bait. 

[Deephaven]

Jig & grub

Floating jerkbait

Spinnerbait

 

And yes, I won't be catching panfish with those three but I don't care.  I am not going to downsize to catch a fish I don't want to catch.  If the water is northern and sterile I'd swap out the spinner bait for a silver minnow or other spoon, but I've made plenty of trips where those three do nearly all of the work up in the BWCA.

[J Francho]

A spoon is probably the most universal when comes to bigger species.  If you want to catch little stuff, then a small marabou or bucktail jig would work.

[FishTank]

Mepps inline spinner bait.  I have caught a ton of different fish on this bait. Most consistent bait for multiple species.

 

Next would be, a 4in senko.  I have caught all in the sameday> walleye, large mouth, small mouth, a blue cat and a channel cat, drum/sheaphead, warmouth, stripped bass/wiper and crappie.