Canada’s 11 all-time top lures for brookies, browns, cutthroats, lakers and rainbows

Original Floating Rapala

Fish eat fish, and Lauri Rapala’s original balsa wood bait looks more like a fish than virtually any other lure on the market does, explaining in large measure why it’s been so popular for so long. Of course, the realistic wounded minnow action—along with the multiple ways to present the lure—have added considerably to it being the number one choice among countless trout anglers. It casts easily and trolls like a dream, and it can be fished on top, shallow or—with splitshot or on a three-way swivel—as deep as you need. Just select the size that best meets your target fish and pick from the many colour options. Hint: The rainbow trout, gold/black and silver/black patterns are all proven trout slayers.

Catch: Brook, brown, bull, lake and rainbow trout

Where: All sizes of lakes; large rivers, especially in tailwaters below dams

When: Most effective in summer through to fall

How: Cast and retrieve at a constant speed, with occasional twitches and pauses; troll as a shallow-running crankbait, or run it deep with splitshot, a three-way swivel, bottom-bouncer or downrigger

Mister Twister Curly Tail

Nothing replicates invertebrates quite like a soft-bodied bait, and the Curly Tail is the king in this realm. Some anglers say it looks like a worm, others a leech. Some even think it resembles a wounded baitfish. It matters little, however, because trout of all types readily gobble it up when given the chance. In fact, if you had to select just one bait for all trout applications, this just might be it. Simply tailor the size and colour to the waters and fish you’re targeting, thread it onto a jig head that’s appropriate for the depth, and away you go, whether casting or trolling.Catch: Brook, brown, bull, lake and rainbow trout

Where: Lakes, streams and rivers of all sizes

When: Throughout the open-water seasons. As a rule, increase its size as the season progresses. It’s also effective in murky waters.

How: It can be vertically jigged, cast and bumped along the bottom, trolled alone or with a spinner blade, used as bait on spinner rigs, or even cast and swum back.