Beginner's Guide to Sea Fishing Lures (UK Edition)
7 min reading time
New to lure fishing in the UK? Discover the best sea fishing lures for beginners, including Westin and Axia ranges, plus expert tips on where and how to use them.
Introduction: Why Lure Fishing is Taking the UK by Storm
Lure fishing for sea species has exploded in popularity across the UK over the last few years — and it's easy to see why. It's active, exciting, and incredibly effective for species like bass, pollock, mackerel, and garfish. Unlike bait fishing, you're constantly working your lure through the water, feeling every twitch and take. For beginners, it's also a brilliant way to learn how fish behave and where they feed.
The good news? You don't need to spend a fortune to get started. With the right lures and a basic understanding of how to use them, you can be catching fish from UK marks within your first session.
This guide covers everything a beginner needs to know — from the different types of lures available, to the best UK brands, to where and how to fish them effectively.
Section 1: Types of Sea Fishing Lures Explained
Before you buy anything, it helps to understand what's out there. Here's a plain-English breakdown of the main lure types you'll encounter for UK sea fishing:
Soft Plastic Lures
These are flexible, rubber-like lures designed to mimic small fish, prawns, or worms. They're incredibly versatile and work brilliantly for bass and pollock. Rigged on a jig head, they can be fished at any depth and retrieved in a variety of ways — slow and steady, or with a "lift and drop" jigging action.
Metal Jigs
Heavy, shiny metal lures that sink fast and cast a mile. Perfect for fishing deeper water from a pier or boat, or for reaching distant marks from the shore. Mackerel and pollock absolutely love them. Simply cast out, let the jig sink, and retrieve with an erratic, fluttering action.
Plugs and Crankbaits
Hard-bodied lures that dive to a set depth when retrieved. Surface plugs create explosive topwater strikes from bass — one of the most thrilling experiences in UK sea fishing. Diving plugs work well around structure like rocks, piers, and weed beds.
Spinners and Spoons
Classic, simple lures that spin or wobble as they're retrieved, creating flash and vibration. Great for mackerel, bass, and garfish. Ideal for beginners because the retrieve is straightforward — just cast and wind.
Section 2: Westin Lure Range — Premium Performance for UK Waters
When it comes to quality lures designed with European sea fishing in mind, Westin is a name that consistently delivers. Their range is built for the conditions UK anglers face — strong tides, varied structure, and species that can be notoriously fussy.
A few standout Westin lures for beginners:
Westin Sandy Andy — A soft plastic paddle tail shad that's devastatingly effective for bass and pollock. The lifelike swimming action does the work for you, making it ideal if you're still developing your retrieve technique. Fish it on a 10–20g jig head depending on depth and tide strength.
Westin W-Tail Fighter — Another soft plastic favourite, the W-Tail produces an irresistible tail kick that triggers predatory instincts. Works brilliantly around estuaries and rocky marks where bass are hunting baitfish.
Westin Jätte the Fatty — A larger soft plastic option for targeting bigger bass or pollock from the boat. If you want to step up from mackerel and go after something more serious, this is a great choice.
Browse the full Westin range in our Westin Fishing Tackle collection and find the right lure for your local mark.
Section 3: Axia Lure Range — Brilliant Value for Beginners
If you're just starting out and don't want to risk losing expensive lures while you find your feet, the Axia range is exactly what you need. Axia lures offer excellent quality at a price point that makes it easy to build up a varied lure box without breaking the bank.
Key Axia lures to consider:
Axia Xtreme Shads — Soft plastic shads available in a range of colours and sizes. The natural baitfish profile makes them effective for bass, pollock, and coalfish. Start with natural colours (silver, white, or sand eel patterns) in clear water, and switch to brighter colours (chartreuse, orange) in coloured or murky conditions.
Axia Metal Jigs — Compact, aerodynamic jigs that cast well even in a headwind. Perfect for mackerel sessions from the pier or beach. Let them flutter down on the drop — that's often when the takes come.
Axia Spinners — Simple, reliable, and effective. If you're fishing with kids or just want a no-fuss option that catches fish, Axia spinners are hard to beat.
Check out the full Axia Fishing Lures collection — great for stocking up your lure box without the worry.
Section 4: Where to Lure Fish in the UK
One of the great things about lure fishing is that you can do it almost anywhere there's saltwater. Here are the most productive marks for UK beginners:
Piers and Jetties
Piers concentrate fish because the structure attracts baitfish, which in turn draws predators. Drop a metal jig or soft plastic down the side of a pier and you'll often find mackerel, pollock, and garfish stacked up underneath. Easy access and no need for long casts make piers ideal for beginners.
Sandy Beaches
Bass are a prime target from sandy beaches, particularly at dawn and dusk when they move into the shallows to hunt. Work a soft plastic or surface plug along the edge of breaking waves and gullies between sandbanks.
Rocky Marks and Headlands
Pollock and wrasse love rocky structure. Cast a soft plastic or plug parallel to the rocks and retrieve it back through the kelp edges. Be prepared for snags — this is where having affordable Axia lures in your box really pays off!
Estuaries
Estuaries are bass hotspots, especially on the tide. The mixing of fresh and saltwater concentrates baitfish, and bass follow them in. Work soft plastics on light jig heads with a slow, natural retrieve.
Section 5: Essential Gear to Pair with Your Lures
Your lures are only as good as the setup they're fished on. Here's what you need to get the most from your lure fishing:
Rod: A light to medium spinning rod in the 7–10ft range, rated for lures between 10–40g, is ideal for most UK shore lure fishing. Check out our Fishing Rods collection for options suited to lure work.
Reel: A fixed spool spinning reel in the 3000–5000 size range, loaded with braid. Browse our Fishing Reels collection for reliable options.
Line: Braid is the go-to mainline for lure fishing — it has no stretch, so you feel every take, and it casts further than mono. Use a short fluorocarbon leader (1–2m) between your braid and lure to reduce visibility and add abrasion resistance near rocks. Find both in our Fishing Lures collection.
Snap Swivels: Use a small snap link to attach your lure — it makes changing lures quick and easy, and allows the lure to move more freely.
FAQ: Common Beginner Questions
What's the best lure for bass fishing in the UK?
Soft plastic shads like the Westin Sandy Andy or Axia Xtreme Shads are consistently effective for UK bass. Fish them on a 10–15g jig head with a slow, steady retrieve near the bottom.
Can I use lures from a beach?
Absolutely. Sandy beaches, particularly those with gullies, sandbanks, or rocky outcrops, can be excellent for bass on lures — especially at low light.
What size lure should I start with?
For general UK sea fishing, lures in the 10–15cm range on 10–20g jig heads cover most situations. Go smaller for clear, calm conditions and larger in rough or coloured water.
Do I need expensive lures to catch fish?
Not at all. The Axia range proves that affordable lures catch plenty of fish. Save the premium lures for when you've got your technique dialled in.
What's the best time of year for lure fishing in the UK?
Bass lure fishing peaks from May to October. Mackerel and pollock can be caught on lures year-round, though summer months tend to be most productive from shore.
Ready to Get Started?
Lure fishing is one of the most rewarding ways to target UK sea species — and with the right lures in your box, you'll be catching fish before you know it. Whether you go for the premium performance of the Westin range or the brilliant value of Axia, you'll find everything you need right here.
👉 Browse our full Fishing Lures collection and start building your lure box today.
Published by Shut Up And Fish Ltd | Your UK Sea Fishing Specialists
