01Lure Fundamentals and Construction
Lures are artificial baits designed to stimulate a fish’s hunting instinct underwater.
Broadly they are divided into metal bodies (metal jig), soft plastic (worm·minow), and vibration‑producing rubber/plastic (vibe).
Each lure’s movement varies with water density and flow.
Metal jigs have a low center of gravity, providing rapid descent and strong vibration; worm·minow have flexible bodies for natural sway and rotation; vibes adjust vibration frequency and amplitude to directly stimulate the fish’s sensory nerves.
When selecting a lure, the first factor to consider is the ‘target species’ habitat.’ For example, in eging (0.6~0.8-go) a light metal jig skims the bottom to trigger visual cues, while for sea bass (2.5~3-go) a heavier minow penetrates the bottom to create three‑dimensional motion.
02Braided line size and strength, knot loss
PE (ultra‑high‑molecular‑weight polyethylene) braided line is sized by denier.
Size 1 corresponds to about 0.165 mm, size 1.5 to 0.205 mm, and size 2 to 0.235 mm diameter (printing standard values).
The breaking strength of braided line is estimated as ‘size × about 10 lb.’ For example, PE 1.2-go has a breaking strength of roughly 12 lb (≈5.4 kg).
However, for rocky‑shore casting rigs the ‘Max’ labeling often exceeds the actual strength by a large margin, so product specifications must be verified.
When a knot is tied, the tensile strength drops about 40 %.
Therefore, connect a nylon or carbon leader that is 3–5 times the PE size (e.g., PE 1-go → carbon 3–5-go) to supplement shock absorption.
This is because PE of the same size is 4–7 times stronger than nylon or carbon.
03Practical Application Guide by Lure Type
① Metal Jig – Keep the center of gravity low and use 1.5–2-go PE with an 8‑strand line.
The 8‑strand improves casting distance by about 10 % compared with 4‑strand and enhances guide passage, allowing farther casts.
When sea breezes are strong, adjust weight by ±10 %.
② Worm·Minow – Pair 1–1.5-go PE with a 4‑strand line; the thicker fibers reduce bottom friction so the lure moves without damage on rough seabeds.
Switching to an 8‑strand increases casting distance by 10 % but raises abrasion risk in heavily vegetated areas.
③ Vibe – The typical vibration frequency range for sea bass and olive flounder is 150–250 Hz.
Using PE 0.8–1.5-go with an 8‑strand line enhances vibration transmission efficiency, speeding up bite response.
When retrieving the vibe, apply the three‑stage ‘search‑stop‑re‑search’ technique.
- Confusing line size with diameter – Denier is a weight unit and does not directly correlate with diameter.
- Overlooking the post‑knot strength reduction and attempting to catch strong fish immediately.
- Choosing an undersized leader, leading to damage from shock.