Cheap Fishing Lures have worked in the past
For all those newbie lure fishermen who wince at the price of lures (the genuine ones), well, hopefully this post may encourage you. With that said, probably 95% of my lures are the real McCoy.
Ebay is flooded with fake lures
You only have to troll through eBay to find a whole arsenal of fake lures. So the sellers must be making a wedge out of it. When you think that I have seen a genuine Megabass Zonk on Amazon for nearly forty ‘frekin’ quid. To think my fishing buddy had purchased a cracking Megabass Zonk only to see £35 of lure get snagged on a boulder – first cast. FIRST CAST!
But don’t let that put you off – just do a little research on the depth of the lure you are using and the ground you are fishing over. Just to rub salt into the wound (my mate’s wound), I seldom ‘ever’ use a Zonk. Not around our way anyway.
What Is Your Favourite Cheap Fishing Lures?
Right! I suppose a success story is the order of the day. One day, while I was getting my lure addiction under control (by buying more lures), I came across an amazing-looking copy of the Xorus Asturie. And the fact that this surface lure looked like an awesome colour, I couldn’t resist.
Hang on – before you end up with a truckload of lures that you don’t use, please be careful, it is addictive – I wasn’t joking. I would only have to see a picture of a bass with a lure hanging out of it’s gob was enough for me to check my bank balance.
Sometimes these amazing lures (the real ones) were impossible to get hold of. It’s still the case today. That’s why they’ve been copied – It’s not rocket science. Normally, if a lure is ‘Out of stock’ it’s a good sign that it’s a winner.
Great Lure Fishing Conditions
One still evening, my trusty companion and I were fishing a new venue, somewhere we had heard was a great place for bass and could fish well over the low tide. So we’d arrived about two hours before the low to try our luck. The conditions were on the money, and all the pieces of the puzzle were fitting into place. The water clarity, the wind and the water were as flat as a pancake. You beauty. The problem was that something was missing: Fish!
Moving Around To Find The Fish.
A big problem we found at this new venue was the amount of strange weed that grew from the seabed. The weed was like long streamers, almost like long blades of grass, so we stayed on the surface to try and avoid get snagged all the time. In truth, we spent half the time looking for a clear runway to fish, but I just had this feeling we were going to get on.
Fake Xorus Asturie Was The Order Of The Day.
Then, from where we were fishing, we noticed a very clear section of weed, so we waded our way to the area. The sun was starting to fade now, and still I had that eerie feeling. Something was waiting for us. When we made it to our new spot, we still had the dilemma of a long stretch of ‘weed’ that was right in front of us. But unlike the areas we fished, it was clear after that. Amazing.
I was stuck on the Asturie copy and flung it in the glass like water. As my lure weaved its way in (zig-zagging like a goodun), I paused to winch the lure over the weed area and bang! I was in. The head shakes were ferocious to say the least. This angry bass was not happy at all, it had been tempted out of the blanket to weed. Fish on!
Persistence Pays Off In The End
So I’d unhooked the bass, and off she went to fight another day. I had a quick look at my watch now, as though the job had been done, it was getting late, then casually cast out again, knowing that the evening had been won. Then, would you believe it – as my snaking lure came to the weed edge again, my lure was viciously taken again. Off she went, another good fish in tow. It must have been his twin because it was another proper angry bass. So, two fish in two casts, it doesn’t get more rewarding than that, both on cheap fishing lures.
The Truth About Cheap Fishing Lures
Right, I’m not saying just stick to buying cheap fishing lures, but there again: if you see one you like, then by all means buy it – it could be a winner. Sometimes it’s just good to have a variety of lures because sometimes it can be that obscure lure that does the trick.
Sometimes you get what you pay for
There are copies of lures in my lure box that will STAY IN MY LURE BOX. Because I have purchased them, and they are nowhere near the quality of the real deal. Maybe they are just lighter, or the hooks are not very good. But occasionally you’ll find a good one. One company that does good copies is AXIA. I have the Tackle House Vulture version that they’ve renamed The Vulcan in pure white, and found that to be a good copy. The originals are about £27.50.
🧠 FAQ: Cheap Fishing Lures (You Answer These)
Q1. Where can I buy cheap fishing lures that actually catch fish?
Well, the go-to places to buy cheap fishing lures are obviously the likes of eBay and Amazon. Reputable shops that sell lures are not going to be selling copies for good reasons.
Q2. Are cheap lures good for beginners or better for experienced anglers?
Sometimes it doesn’t matter what you chuck on the end of your fluorocarbon; if the bass are up for it, they take any lure. But lure fishing is never that straightforward as any newbie will discover. I have seen hundreds of bass literally yards in front of us, and whatever we chucked at them, they just weren’t interested. If only life were that simple.
Q3. What types of budget lures work best for bass in the UK?
Axia are a pretty good bet for great copies, especially some of the surface lures. For example, their Xorus Asturie is pretty much identical. It’s actually one of my favourite topwater lures.
Q4. How do I make cheap fishing lures more effective?
Get the real thing. Cheap fishing lures are cheaper for a reason. When they are made, maybe the material may not be the same quality as the real thing. But doesn’t mean they won’t work.
Q5. Are Cheap Fishing Lures Worth It?
Absolutely, if you choose wisely. Not all cheap lures are rubbish. In fact, some of them are near-identical copies of more expensive ones and still catch fish. It’s easy to get caught up thinking you need premium lures to catch bass, but the truth is, presentation, timing, and location matter more.
Cheap lures let you fish more freely. You’re less worried about snags or rock loss, which means you’ll fish tighter to structure, where the bass are. Yes, some might have slightly weaker hooks or split rings, but you can always upgrade those if it bothers you.
Keith’s Tip 💡: Keep a few cheap lures in your box just for rough ground. When you’re fishing sketchy spots with loads of weed and rocks, you’ll lose gear—might as well lose the cheap stuff.
Q6. Where Can You Buy Cheap Fishing Lures?
There are loads of places to pick up decent lures without breaking the bank. Online marketplaces like Amazon, AliExpress, and even eBay have pages full of budget options, including soft plastics, metal jigs, and surface lures. Local tackle shops sometimes have bargain bins or multi-pack deals too—worth a look if you’re nearby.
Some online fishing stores now stock affordable brands that are catching up fast in quality. You might also find decent lures on social media groups or even car boot sales from time to time.
Keith’s Tip 💡: Be cautious with the super-cheap bulk packs from random online sellers. Look for reviews or ask in forums to avoid buying lures that swim sideways or fall apart.
Q7. What modifications can improve a cheap lure’s performance?
You could change the hooks if they look smaller than the originals. Cheap hooks normally rust more easily than the premium lures.
Q8. Can cheap soft plastics hold up to multiple fish?
Not usually, but that’s the nature of soft plastics in general—cheap or not. That’s why you often get 5 or 6 in a pack or a spare tail, like with a Savage Gear Sandeel. Even the expensive ones get shredded when bass are hitting hard. Many of the knock-offs will still do the job, but don’t expect them to survive a session full of fish. It’s just part of the soft plastic game.
Keith’s Tip 💡: If you’re getting through loads of tails, try using a dab of superglue to help secure the plastic to the jighead—it won’t stop them getting chewed up, but you might get one or two more fish out of it.
Final Thoughts: Cheap, Cheerful… and Deadly?
You don’t always need to spend big to catch big.
Cheap fishing lures can surprise you, and they give you freedom to try riskier casts, tight snags, and sketchy spots without fear of losing a tenner every chuck.
Sometimes, the best lure is the one you’re not afraid to lose.
