How to Choose and Use the Best Pencil Fishing Lures for Bass, Pike, and Saltwater Strikes
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I’ve lost count of how many mornings I’ve stood over still water, watching the first hints of light ripple across the surface. There’s something electric about throwing a pencil lure into that calm—knowing it might get smashed by a hungry bass, a lurking pike, or even a salty brute waiting just under the chop. But here’s the thing: not all pencil lures are created equal. And not everyone fishes them the same way.
If you’ve been wondering how to pick the right one—or how to make that bait dance just right—this one’s for you.
What Makes Pencil Lures So Deadly
Pencil lures live and die by motion. They aren’t about fancy looks or bright colors only (though color matters—more on that later). The magic’s in the way they walk and spit across the surface.
When worked right, a pencil bait triggers the instinctual chaos response in predatory fish. It looks wounded. It looks vulnerable. It dares the fish to crush it.
I’ve seen smallmouths rocket from ten feet down just to annihilate a pencil lure. Pike? Forget it. They’ll destroy it purely out of resentment.
How to Choose the Right Pencil Lure
Picking your pencil lure depends on three main things: target fish, water type, and conditions.
For Bass
Go for smaller, more agile profiles that respond to subtle rod twitches. Something like the SeaKnight SK034 Pencil Fishing Lure has a clean glide action that’s perfect for pressured lakes. You don’t need to overwork it—let the bait do the heavy lifting.
For Pike
When chasing pike, I want a lure that screams aggression. Heavier bodies that dig in and throw water get their attention. The Luya Propeller Tractor Bait brings flash and commotion, which triggers those violent strikes. Pike love noisy reminders that they rule the food chain.
For Saltwater
Saltwater game is a different animal. The currents, the chop, the toothy predators—all demand durability and distance. Floating baits like the Z-Claw Floating Pencil Fishing Lure and the 2024 Floating Pencil Bait hit that sweet spot between balance and castability.
If you’re chasing stripers or bluefish, I’d recommend something with strong split rings and a durable finish. Those fish chew through cheap hardware in minutes.
Dialing In the Action
Here’s the real key to fishing pencil lures—don’t overthink it, but don’t sleep on the rhythm either.
The best motion mimics an injured baitfish: darting one second, pausing the next, twitching just enough to look panicked. Start slow until you find the tempo that triggers hits.
A few tried-and-true approaches:
- Walk-the-dog: Tiny, consistent twitches to make the lure dart side to side. Perfect for calm mornings.
- Chop-and-stop: Short, sharp jerks with pauses in between. Ideal for murky water or windy conditions.
- Speed bursts: Fast cranks followed by complete stillness. That stop often triggers reaction strikes from aggressive fish.
If you’re new to topwater, check out The Ultimate Guide to Topwater Fishing Lures for Beginners. It covers the basics well and helps you avoid a few rookie mistakes.
Matching Color and Size to Conditions
I’ve learned the hard way that color isn’t about what looks cool—it’s about what stands out. On clear days, natural tones like silver, bone, or muted perch get more looks. When skies darken, lean into high-contrast hues: black, chartreuse, or chrome.
As for size, match the hatch. Around summer, when baitfish are abundant, go for full profiles like the Floating Pencil Bait Topwater Fishing Lure. In early spring or cold fronts, scale it down to the Floating Fishing Lures Pencil Bait Popper for a subtler presentation.
You can explore more topwater styles and variations here: Topwater Fishing Lures Collection.
Practical Tips from Real Time on the Water
- Stay patient. Don’t yank instantly when you see a splash. Wait till you feel the weight. I’ve lost too many giants learning that one.
- Use the right rod. A medium-fast action rod gives you the flex to cast distance and still control the lure’s twitch pattern.
- Mind your line. Braided line helps with responsiveness, but add a fluorocarbon leader to keep those toothy fish from cutting you off.
- Keep hooks sharp. Pencil lure hits can be explosive. Sharp trebles make sure they stay pinned.
For more gear and lure options built for topwater addicts, TopWaterTackle.com has a solid lineup worth exploring.
Why Pencil Lures Keep Us Hooked
Every topwater hit feels like the first one. The sudden splash, the rod bending, that brief chaos before everything goes still again—it never gets old. Pencil lures have a way of distilling that moment into pure fishing joy. They teach patience, precision, and timing. And when they hit right, it’s a beautiful mess—one you’ll chase again and again.
So next time you’re packing tackle, give your pencils some room. They might just deliver your best fish of the year.