Choosing the Right Tool for the Water in Front of You
If you’ve made it this far in the Jackson Trout Lures blog series, you already know this brand delivers performance and precision in real-world conditions. From small-stream BFS to working a big tailwater with light line, Jackson’s trout lineup is purpose-built for anglers who want control, response, and action that just works.
In this final post, we’ll break down the Jackson models currently featured on our site, what makes each one stand out, and when to tie them on.
Note: All Jackson lures on our site come equipped with single barbless Vanfook hooks right out of the box. Jackson also recommends using a snap with their minnows to optimize movement.
Click any photo to shop lures!
Meteora
Type: High-density sinking minnow
Sizes: 45mm, 52mm, 63mm
Best For: Fast current, deep pools, long casts
Highlights:
- Tight, aggressive wobble
- Holds posture in a strong flow
- Excellent for bottom-hugging retrieves and fast-moving rivers
Pro Tip: Use the countdown method to dial in-depth—it's excellent for fishing seams, or slots.
Trout Tune
Type: Sinking minnow
Size: 55mm
Best For: Mid-depth structure, mixed current
Highlights:
- Balanced for natural drift and swing
- Excellent casting stability
- Subtle wobble, ideal for finesse retrieves
Pro Tip: Let it drift with light rod input in shallow runs; this is perfect for spooky or tentative trout.
Kanade
Type: Sinking minnow
Sizes: 40mm, 45mm, 50mm
Best For: Shallow streams, tight quarters
Highlights:
- Subtle action, great for calm water
- Compact body for precise presentations
- Excellent for swinging into undercut banks or behind boulders
Pro Tip: Combine a slow retrieve with a twitch near structure, as this is where Kanade shines. A steady retrieval is also one of Kanade’s strengths.
Artist FR 55
Type: Sinking finesse minnow
Size: 55mm
Best For: Quick water, shallow riffles
Highlights:
- Tail-weighted for distance
- Slim profile with tight wobble
- Very responsive to twitching
Pro Tip: Cast across fast-moving shallows and use short twitches to imitate bait darting through the current. This lure is highly effective for fast-paced, aggressive fish in fast current.
Resist
Type: Floating minnow (dives fast)
Size: 45mm
Best For: Calm pools, structure, pressured trout
Highlights:
- Quick-diving lip
- Strong flash from a unique body style
- Twitch-pause retrieve excels in tough conditions
Pro Tip: Slowly retrieve the subsurface for slow-moving water and pools. Let it float between twitches to imitate a stunned baitfish—it can be a deadly trigger.
Zurubiki Goby
Type: Bottom-walking finesse lure
Size: 45mm
Best For: Slow pools, bottom contact, deep seams
Highlights:
- Compact, weight-forward body for bottom crawling
- Stable on contact with external weighting
- Designed to mimic gobies, sculpins, and other bottom dwellers
Pro Tip: Skim across gravel or crawl through structure. After a hard bump with no take, pause, the fish may come back for it.
KurokawaMushi
Type: Bottom-focused soft-body style lure
Size: 35mm
Best For: Shallow or deep water with spooky fish
Highlights:
- Mimics aquatic worms and insect larvae
- Moves subtly to attract bottom-hugging trout
- Ideal for a falling bite and finesse situations
Pro Tip: Drag or dead-drift it near the bottom. A slow flicker with long pauses can be deadly when trout hold deep.
Buggy Spinner
Type: Micro spinnerbait
Size: Ultra-compact (3g)
Best For: Ultra-clear water, small creeks, covering water
Highlights:
- Tiny blade flash attracts in clear water
- Simple, straight retrieve gets results
- Easy to fish for beginners and pros alike
Pro Tip: Use this when you need to cover water fast and find where fish are holding. It's great for beginners or windy days. It's also effective in still water and cold water.
Final Thoughts: One Brand, Many Options
Jackson has done something few companies have managed: they’ve created a full lineup of trout lures that each serves a distinct purpose, while maintaining a consistent feel and quality. Whether casting into a headwater pocket or swinging deep through a tailout, a Jackson lure will get the job done.
Each model comes equipped with single barbless Vanfook hooks, making them legal in more waters, safer for catch-and-release, and easier to fish around structure.
The beauty of the lineup isn’t just in variety, it’s in how well each bait communicates underwater. Once you get used to the feel of these lures, you’ll start to build an instinct for what works, when to switch, and how to read the water more effectively.
And it’s no accident. Jackson’s specialty has always been trout and surf, unlike many other brands that started with bass and only recently joined the trout category. Jackson’s Trout Master, Mr. Kasai, has been developing their trout lineup from decades of experience, and it shows.
Grab all 8 models, and you’ll be covered for any situation on the water!
(More models coming soon)