Instead of purchasing better lures when first starting, upgrade your rod's strength stat as high as possible. This will prevent loss of any lures that you purchase. Upgrading the rod's tension as well before purchasing lures. Only spend money on special lures when you are sure that you can catch the rank of fish that specific lure is meant to attract. When you are in a situation where you have hooked a fish that is too strong and must decide to pay to save the lure or temporarily increase strength, or lose the lure, close the app. The next time the game is played, the app will act as if the lure was never lost. However, this will cost one bar of energy.