When you buy an offshore trolling lure, you often have a choice: buy it rigged and ready to fish, or buy the lure alone and rig it yourself. Both are good options. The right choice depends on your experience, your tools, and how much you like tinkering.
Pre-rigged lures
Pros:
- Ready to fish straight out of the package.
- Correct hook placement and leader setup matched to the lure.
- No special tools needed for crimping.
- Great for new offshore anglers or anyone short on time.
Cons:
- Usually costs more than the lure alone.
- Leader length and strength are set for you.
DIY rigging
Pros:
- Full control over leader material, length, hook size, and single vs double hooks.
- Lower cost per lure once you own the tools.
- Easy to re-rig after a fish or swap skirts and hooks.
Cons:
- Requires a crimping tool, sleeves, chafe gear, and practice.
- Poor rigging can cause a lure to track badly or lose fish.
How to decide
- New to offshore trolling: start with pre-rigged lures so you know they are set up correctly.
- Experienced and fishing often: rigging your own saves money and lets you customize.
- Mixed approach: many anglers buy a few lures pre-rigged as a reference, then rig the rest themselves to match.
What to look for in a pre-rigged lure
- Quality hooks matched to lure size
- Heavy leader with chafe protection at the loops
- Hook aligned with the lure and locked in place
- A leader long enough for your preferred setup
Many K2Fishing lures are available either rigged or lure only, so you can choose the option that fits how you fish. Browse our offshore trolling lures.
Learning to rig
If you want to start rigging, read how to crimp trolling leaders, the trolling lure hook size chart, and how to rig trolling lures.
