LURE 101
04 Lures / Hard Baits / Minnow
01 · Minnow

Minnow

ミノー

A slender, fish-shaped hard bait with a small lip on its nose. As you reel, water pressure on the lip makes it wobble and roll like a fleeing baitfish. One of the most classic search baits.

Typical depth
0.3–1.8m
Typical weight
3–20 g
Typical size
5–13 cm
Beginner-friendly
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Snag resistance
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Depth zone
Upper · Mid

Most run 0.3–1.5 m; long-lipped deep divers (DR) reach 2–3 m.

AMotion

Action Demo

FIG.1Minnow · Jerk & pauseJerk · jerk · pause (1–3 s, longer in cold water)
SIDE VIEW
The dashed line traces the lure's last 4 seconds; top left shows the rod tip movement and line slack.
BHow it works

How It Works

  • The lip's size and angle set the diving depth: a bigger lip that sits flatter (closer in line with the body) dives deeper; a shorter, more upright lip runs shallower.
  • The action is a mix of “wobble” (head and tail swinging side to side) and “roll” (the body tilting side to side and flashing); most minnows do both.
  • Internal weights slide back and forth (a weight-transfer system): on the cast they shift to the tail for distance, and on the retrieve they move forward to keep the swimming action.

Main Types

TypeNotes
Floating (F)Rises at rest. Pause it over cover to let it float up and avoid snagging.
Suspending (SP)Holds its depth on the pause. When the water is cold and fish won't chase, a jerk-and-pause that leaves the lure hanging for a long time is a classic approach (this style is also called a jerkbait).
Sinking (S)Sinks slowly after splashdown so you can control depth; better in current, strong wind and when you need long casts.
CRetrieve

Techniques

  1. Steady retrieve: the most basic method. Reel just fast enough to feel a steady wobble in the rod tip.
  2. Jerk & pause: with slack line, snap the rod tip down 2–3 times, then pause 1–3 seconds, longer in cold water. Most bites come on the pause.
  3. Stop & go: pause suddenly during a steady retrieve to break the rhythm and trigger strikes.
Related techniquesSteady RetrieveJerk & pauseStop & Go
DWhen & Where

When & Where

● Good for

  • Waters where the forage is mostly small baitfish (lakes, reservoirs, rivers, estuaries)
  • Clear to slightly stained water, with fish feeding in the upper to mid column
  • Shoreline structure, weed edges, open flats, current inflows
  • Spring warm-up and fall when fish chase bait; in winter, a slow jerk-and-pause with a suspending jerkbait

○ Not ideal for

  • Thick weeds, piles of fallen timber and other heavy cover (treble hooks snag very easily)
ETackle

Recommended Tackle

Rod
ML–M, fast or moderate-fast, 6'6"–7'0" (7'6"+ for long casts)
Reel
Spinning reel 2500 / C3000, or a baitcaster
Line
PE #0.8–1.2 + fluoro leader 8–12 lb, or straight fluoro 8–12 lb

For rod power and action see 01 Rods; for line size conversion see 03 Line.

FTarget & Tips

Target Species & Tips

Largemouth BassTopmouth CulterYellowcheekSpotted Sea BassRainbow Trout (Stocked Ponds)Mandarin Fish
  • Jerk mostly with your wrist, rod tip down, short and sharp, and let the line go slightly slack right after each jerk.
  • Start with natural colors that match the local baitfish; switch to bright colors in muddy water.
  • If you feel the line pulled gently or suddenly go slack on the pause, set the hook.