Which Hardbait Should You Throw? Here’s How I Decide

Most anglers have a favorite hardbait.

But that doesn’t mean it’s the right one to throw.

A small change in the conditions can completely change which lure gives you the best shot at getting bit.

And sometimes, the lure I reach for is NOT the one most anglers would expect.

In the video below, I break down the clues I look for before choosing a hardbait and what tells me it’s time to switch.

And once you see it, you’ll have a much better idea of which lure to tie on first… and the confidence to know when it’s time to make a change.

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Featured Gear

• Moonwalker Topwater
• Skinny Lipper Floater-Diver
• Fat Lipper Wake Bait
• Wake Mullet Shallow-Running Crankbait
• Flea Flicker Slow-Sinking Twitchbait
• Bundle (Save 20%): Hardbody Bundle

Salt Strong Insiders get exclusive savings on all of these hardbaits at FishStrong.com.

Moonwalker: When Fish Are Feeding On The Surface

The Moonwalker is a walk-the-dog topwater lure built for one very specific situation:

Fish actively feeding on the surface.

That could mean redfish chasing baitfish, trout popping shrimp, or snook blowing up on bait along a shoreline.

And despite what you may have heard, topwater fishing is not limited to early mornings or low-light conditions.

If fish are feeding on the surface, a topwater can work at almost any time of day.

I especially like throwing the Moonwalker when there is a little chop on the water. That surface movement helps the lure blend into the surrounding commotion while its rattle helps fish track it down.

The Moonwalker also comes rigged with strong inline hooks. These hooks are less likely to bend when a larger fish strikes, giving you a better chance of getting that fish all the way to the boat.

There is also a Silent But Deadly version for situations where a loud rattle may be too much.

Best conditions for the Moonwalker:

• Fish visibly feeding on the surface
• A light to moderate chop
• Active redfish, trout, or snook
• Fish chasing shrimp or baitfish

Skinny Lipper: When Fish Are Feeding Just Below The Surface

The Skinny Lipper is probably the most versatile hardbait in this lineup.

It floats at rest, dives when twitched, and then rises back toward the surface.

That makes it an excellent option when fish are feeding shallow but are not fully committing to a topwater.

You may see fish following your Moonwalker, slapping at it, or blowing up behind it without getting hooked.

That is a strong sign that it may be time to switch to a subsurface presentation.

The Skinny Lipper can be worked several different ways.

You can twitch it, pause it, and allow it to float back toward the surface. You can also use a steady jerking retrieve to keep it underwater and moving erratically.

When you need to cover more water, simply reel it straight back. Its wide side-to-side wobble gives the lure plenty of action without requiring much additional work from the angler.

It can even be trolled behind a kayak or small boat while moving between nearby fishing spots.

Best conditions for the Skinny Lipper:

• Fish feeding just beneath the surface
• Fish missing or refusing a topwater
• Shallow water with active baitfish
• Covering water with a straight retrieve
• Trolling between nearby spots

Fat Lipper: When You Need Noise, Vibration, And A Big Wake

The Fat Lipper is a true wake bait.

Its wide body produces a large side-to-side wobble while staying right near the surface. It also creates a noticeable wake, plenty of vibration, and a loud rattle.

That combination can be extremely effective when fish are aggressive and need help locating your lure.

I especially like throwing the Fat Lipper in slightly stained or muddy water. The sound and vibration allow fish to detect the lure even when visibility is limited.

It is also a great choice when there is chop on the water and fish are aggressively chasing bait in the shallows.

However, this lure can sometimes be too aggressive around heavily pressured or spooky fish.

When the water is slick calm and the fish are cautious, I usually reach for something quieter and more subtle.

Best conditions for the Fat Lipper:

• Choppy water
• Stained or muddy water
• Aggressive fish feeding shallow
• Areas with lower fishing pressure
• Situations where extra noise and vibration help

Wake Mullet: When You Need To Find Fish Fast

The Wake Mullet is a shallow-running crankbait that dives to roughly 12 inches.

It has a wide profile, a strong wobble, and an internal rattle that can call fish in from a distance.

But one of its biggest advantages is how easily it covers water.

This is a cast-and-retrieve lure. Throw it out, reel it straight back, and let the lure do the work.

That makes the Wake Mullet an excellent search bait when you are fishing a new area or are not yet sure where the fish are holding.

It works especially well over shallow grass flats when fish are feeding aggressively.

The Wake Mullet is also another strong option when fish are striking at a topwater but failing to connect. It stays just beneath the surface, putting the lure directly in front of fish that may not want to fully break through the top.

Best conditions for the Wake Mullet:

• Searching unfamiliar water
• Covering large grass flats
• Aggressive fish feeding shallow
• Fish missing a topwater lure
• Anglers who want a simple cast-and-retrieve presentation

Flea Flicker: When The Bite Gets Tough

The Flea Flicker is different from every other lure on this list.

While the other hardbaits are primarily built for aggressive fish, the Flea Flicker shines when fish are spooky, picky, or unwilling to chase.

It is a very slow-sinking twitchbait designed to remain in the strike zone for a long time.

That slow fall allows you to place the lure in front of a fish and leave it there until the fish finally decides to strike.

I love using the Flea Flicker during the heat of summer when fish are holding shallow but do not want to expend much energy chasing prey.

It can also be excellent during winter afternoons after the sun warms the shallows and fish begin pushing into skinny water.

The biggest mistake anglers make with this lure is fishing it too fast.

I will often pause the Flea Flicker for seven to ten seconds between twitches.

That may feel painfully slow, but the pause is what gives hesitant fish enough time to inspect and eat the lure.

If you have tried the Flea Flicker without getting bites, slow down even more.

Best conditions for the Flea Flicker:

• Tough or slow bites
• Spooky and pressured fish
• Calm water
• Hot summer conditions
• Sunny winter afternoons
• Fish holding shallow but refusing to chase

Final Thoughts

Most hardbaits work best when fish are actively feeding.

The Moonwalker shines when they are eating on the surface. The Skinny Lipper gets just below them. The Fat Lipper and Wake Mullet help you cover water and trigger aggressive fish with vibration and noise.

But when the fish stop chasing, the Flea Flicker gives you a slower and more subtle option.

Hardbaits also have another major advantage during a fast bite. Once you land a fish, you can usually unhook it and immediately make another cast without fixing, replacing, or rerigging your lure.

The key is not finding one hardbait that works everywhere.

It is recognizing what the fish are doing and choosing the lure that fits that exact situation.

Which of these hardbaits gives you the most confidence, and what conditions do you like to throw it in?

Frequently Asked Questions

What hard bait should I use for inshore fishing?

It depends on what the fish are doing and the conditions you are fishing. If fish are feeding aggressively near the surface, a topwater or wake-style bait can be a great choice. If they are spooky, pressured, or unwilling to chase, a slower and more subtle hard bait can be much more effective.

When should I throw a topwater lure?

Topwater lures are a strong option whenever fish are actively feeding at the surface. That can happen early in the morning, but it is not limited to low-light conditions. If you see bait getting chased or fish blowing up on top, it is usually worth trying a topwater.

What should I throw if fish keep missing my topwater?

If fish are swiping at or blowing up on your topwater without getting hooked, try switching to a lure that runs just below the surface. A subsurface hard bait can often convert those missed strikes into hookups.

Are hard baits good in stained or dirty water?

Yes. Hard baits that create more vibration, wobble, and noise can be especially effective in stained water because they give fish more ways to detect the lure when visibility is reduced.

What is the best hard bait for a slow bite?

When the bite is tough, a slower presentation is usually the better choice. A slow-sinking twitchbait like the Flea Flicker can stay in the strike zone longer and give hesitant fish more time to commit.

How fast should I retrieve a hard bait?

That depends on the lure. Some hard baits are designed for a simple steady retrieve, while others perform best with twitches, pauses, or an erratic cadence. One of the biggest mistakes anglers make is fishing a finesse-style hard bait too quickly.

Can I use hard baits for redfish, trout, and snook?

Absolutely. Hard baits can be very effective for redfish, speckled trout, snook, and other inshore predators, especially when those fish are actively feeding on baitfish or shrimp.