Over the course of a year, I get to talk to a lot of soft plastics fishers from around the country. However, no matter what the source of the enquiry, one question (or variations of it) dominates the calls for advice that I receive. Typically, that query begins with the words: “What’s the best soft plastic for…?”

The rest of that sentence almost always contains a species of fish and a precise location: What’s the best soft plastic for bream in the Patterson Lakes? What’s the best soft plastic for trout in the Murrumbidgee River? What’s the best soft plastic for flathead on the Gold Coast? What’s the best soft plastic for yellowbelly in the Murray? What’s the best soft plastic for redfin in Lake Eildon? What’s the best for barra in the Daly? And so on…

I can’t help but smile at the geographic specificity of these well-meaning questions. Anglers clearly have their favourite fishing spots and they seem to expect that the fish they chase in these beloved haunts will behave just a little differently to those living down the road, around the bend or across the border. Generally speaking, this is not the case. I’ve caught redfin perch in the New England rivers of north western NSW, and also in the very “old England” rivers around the historical university city of Cambridge, in Great Britain (where they’re simply known as perch). Rather unsurprisingly, these fish looked the same, behaved in a similar manner and happily ate identical lures in both locations, literally a world apart.

Rather than asking for the best soft plastic for catching trout in Tasmania’s Arthurs Lake, anglers would benefit more from seeking advice on the best approaches for targeting wild brown trout in shallow, fertile lakes with clear water and healthy weed beds. This way, the advice received would be applicable across various waterways with similar conditions and target species.

The key message here is simple: fish are fish. A particular species will behave similarly when presented with a specific habitat type, season, water clarity, and food sources, regardless of the geographic location. This is valuable knowledge because it means that effective guidelines for one place and time can be applied in similar conditions elsewhere, even far from home.

It's surprising how some anglers feel overwhelmed by the initial choice of lure. They open their tackle box at the water’s edge, scan its contents with a confused expression, and sit in silent indecision before desperately asking, “What should I use?”

If you truly have no idea where to start, take the plunge and make a guess! Tie something on, give it a swim, and see if the fish show any interest. If they don’t, change your lure and try again.

Your approach doesn't need to be entirely experimental. You should have an idea of what lives in the waterway and what the primary food sources are. This basic knowledge helps in fine-tuning your initial selection. For example, if it’s a stocked barra dam with large bony bream, it doesn’t make sense to start with a small worm or grub imitation. Conversely, if it’s a clear alpine trout stream with aquatic insect nymphs, a large fish-shaped swim-bait would likely be counterproductive.

Use common sense to narrow down your lure selection. If you’re chasing big fish that eat big prey, choose a larger lure. If you’re after smaller fish that eat tiny food, pick a smaller lure. It’s not rocket science!

When selecting a lure, consider matching the shape, colour, and swimming action of the likely food items. Fly fishers call this process “matching the hatch,” and it’s crucial for successful lure selection.

Be prepared to accept that you might be wrong. Sometimes, those big barra surrounded by chunky bony bream and beefy mullet might actually be feeding on juvenile rainbow fish half the size of your finger. Or the larger trout in a high country stream may be cannibalising their smaller cousins. You’ll find this out when they ignore your first choice.

The best feedback on your lure choices comes from the fish themselves. Let them tell you what they want, and make sure you’re listening!

Another common question I receive is, “What’s the best colour for…?”

Many anglers spend too much time agonizing over lure colour. Yes, sometimes it’s important, and occasionally it’s critical. But here’s a secret: Most of the time, the colour of your lure is far less important than its size, action, and running depth. I usually rate colour behind these factors in the lure selection process. Yet, I’m rarely asked about the best depth to target fish or the preferred speed and lure action. Many anglers believe that knowing the magic colour will guarantee success. If only fishing were that simple!

Matching the hatch is a great place to start. If the mudeyes (dragonfly nymphs) in a trout lake are olive green, try using an olive green lure. If the common smaller fish in a Murray cod river are redfin, use a greenish lure with red highlights. Remember, it’s not rocket science!

If no obvious food sources are present and you’re unsure what the fish are eating, observe the water itself. Is it clear or dirty? If it’s somewhere in between, is it green-tinged, brownish, or tannin-stained? The critters living in the water are likely to have a similar hue. So, if it’s greenish, opt for a green lure. If it’s tea-like, choose a red or brown plastic. This is just a starting point. The true experts on this issue—the fish themselves—will give you feedback. If your first choice draws a blank, try something else.

As a final word on colour selection, here’s a rule of thumb I’ve used for many years: If the water is gin clear, use subdued, natural tones. If it’s a bit dirtier, use something brighter. If it’s very discoloured, go for vivid, fluorescent tones. If it’s absolutely filthy, try black or purple… or bait… or go home! And finally, if your mate’s catching fish and you’re not, use exactly what he’s using!

I’ve used the expression “it’s not rocket science” several times in this discussion of lure choice. But here’s a little admission: Consistently successful lure selection can be both simpler and more complex than rocket science!

A rocket is a tube full of propellant fuel with stabilising fins. Point it heavenward and ignite the fuel, and it should fly. So maybe rocket science isn’t so complicated after all. On the other hand, fish can be incredibly fickle. Their “moods” (for lack of a better term) constantly change, as do their behavior and food choices. Sometimes they stop feeding altogether for lengthy periods (like impoundment barra or big Murray cod). When they do, even the smartest lure choices may leave you with a limp line and a straight rod. If we were always successful, this wonderful game of ours would be called “catching,” not “fishing,” and we’d soon grow bored with it.

So, don’t be afraid of the lure selection process. Take the bull by the horns or the rocket by the fins and have a go. Start by narrowing the parameters of size, depth, action, and colour (in that order) and making educated guesses. Test your hypotheses. Sometimes you’ll find the right answer. Sometimes you won’t. And sometimes there is no right answer… That’s fishing!