As fun as bass fishing may be, it can be overwhelming to see so many bait options and not know which one to choose. While the general goal of lures remains the same regardless of what you’re trying to bait, there are still specific situations where some lures will perform more effectively than others. There are many different methods for determining the best bait for a given situation, but this guide has broken down the various factors into three main categories: temperature, season, and water quality.
In order to help select the best lure for a given situation, this guide has been designed to tackle each of the main areas where lures have differing effectiveness on bass.
Temperature
In colder temperatures, especially during the winter, bass are much more sluggish and lethargic. As a result, they’re less likely to expend much energy in chasing down bait and will only really react to bass that are directly in their face. In these situations, it’s best to use a slow moving bait type that gives the appearance of an easy meal to the bass. Typically, this includes hair jigs, jigging spoons, and grub. It’s worth mentioning that this can also depend on how clear the water is, but that will be discussed later. As the temperature gets warmer, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and buzzbaits are typically the most effective.
Season
While winter simply applies the advice for colder temperatures across the entire season, spring can actually be divided into several categories that are incredibly useful to bass fishing: pre-spawn, spawn, post-spawn, and late spring. During the various spawning segments, bass will cycle between swimming down to a depth of roughly ten feet and swimming back to the area around the shore. Of course, it should be mentioned that the post-spawn segment of spring doesn’t occur to entire areas at once. Instead, each of these different spawn segments is entirely dependent on the temperature of the water. As the temperature transitions from 55 to 65 degrees (the spawning segment) to roughly 85 degrees (the late spring segment), the temperature between these extremes can best be described as the post-spawn segment.
During the summer, bass will typically school together and appear closer to the top of the water. As a result, jigs, crankbaits, and topwaters are recommended.
Interestingly, fall is a great season for bass fishing because of the transition from warm to colder temperatures. The bass react by increasing their food intake and are much more likely to chase after bait than would otherwise occur.
Water Quality
As important as the temperature and season are, it’s also important to take into account the visual quality of the water. In muddy water with a lot of vegetation, it’s typically best to use spinnerbait or jigs because they both excel at maneuvering through cover. Once the water gets warmer, typically during the summer and early fall, shallow crankbaits can also be used in muddy water to attract bass.
Best Overall Bass Lures
Due to the fact that bass fishing is about selecting the best lure to address multiple factors, it can be difficult to pinpoint a single lure that is the overall best for any given situation. As problematic as that may be though, there are several lures that can be applied to many different situations, making them much more useful for a starting fisherman’s lure kit. With that in mind, here are a few of the best lures for the most common bass lure types: crankbaits, topwaters, and jigs.
1. Strike King Square Bill Crankbait: In addition to coming in multiple sizes and having a variety of colors, the Strike King Square Bill Crankbait sets the standard for crankbaits with its solid design and reliable craftsmanship. Specific to crankbaits, the Strike King Square Bill Crankbait is a medium depth crankbait that is effective in most water types. Its perhaps at its best in the three to six foot water depths, but it can be effective elsewhere as well. If you’re interested in a crankbait that can be applied to multiple situations, the Strike King Square Bill Crankbait is a great starter product.
2. Rebel Pop R Triple Threat: The Rebel Pop R Triple Threat is a topwater lure that holds the distinction of being one of the longest running poppers currently on the market. The Rebel Pop R Triple Threat package has been specifically designed to include three of its most effective bass catching color patterns, making this a much better deal than most other topwater lures available. Aside from its color versatility, these topwater lures are also very accessible, making them great for new fishermen that aren’t very experienced with bass lures.
3. Booyah Boo Jig: The Booyah Bait Company is known for making high quality products, and that high standard for quality applies just as much to its jigs as anywhere else. The Boo Jig, in particular, is an example of their excellent craftsmanship. While jigs are especially effective in areas with dense vegetation, this jig is as effective there as it is anywhere else. Of course, it’s important when buying a jig to ensure its dense enough to push through most vegetation, but that’s not an issue with the Booyah Boo Jig. Perhaps best of all, the Booyah Boo Jig has over 16 different colors to choose from as well, ensuring that there’s a perfect jig for any situation.
Best Smallmouth Bass Lures
The best smallmouth bass lures typically come in two flavors: topwaters for clear water and buzzbaits for choppy water where fish can’t see bait as easily as they might otherwise. For novice fishermen, smaller buzzbaits can be trickier to use properly, but the potential rewards can make the attempt worthwhile.
1. Heddon Tiny Torpedo Lure: The Heddon Tiny Torpedo Lure is unlike many of the other entries in this guide because, as effective as it is with smallmouth bass, it’s also effective with most other freshwater fish. It’s likely for this reason that the Heddon Torpedo is the world’s most popular topwater lure. To take the most advantage of a topwater lure such as this, make sure to use repeated twitches of the lure in order to entice the fish to pounce.
2. Rapala Original Floater 05 Fishing Lures: Rapala’s high quality lures have been around for many years, and they still remain one of the most effective options for smallmouth bass fishing to this day. As with the Heddon Torpedo, the Rapala Original Floater excels when the fisherman utilizes quick, twitchy movements of the lure. In terms of specific terrain, the Rapala also comes highly recommended for river trips or lakes when fish are schooling.
3. Booyah Double Willow Counter Strike Spinnerbait: As great as topwater and buzzbait lures are for smallmouth bass fishing, the Booyah Double Will Counter Strike Spinnerbait sets itself apart from most other spinnerbaits by having many of the same characteristics that make buzzbait lures so effective. In particular, this spinnerbait’s lights attract smallmouth bass for the same reason buzzbaits do. It should also be noted that, unlike many other spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, the Booyah Double Willow Counter Strike Spinnerbait’s blades are incredibly resistant to jamming and can withstand multiple excursions without needing constant maintenance.
4. Booyah Pond Magic Buzz: Another product from Booyah, the Booyah Pond Magic Buzz is a great lure for those that routinely deal with finicky smallmouth bass. The Booyah Pond Magic Buzz has been designed to incorporate the look of the most common bass prey, making its silicone skirt and blades an enticing lure for smallmouth bass that are otherwise uninterested in what a fisherman has to offer.
Best Largemouth Bass Lures
While many fisherman have specific lures they swear by to catch largemouth bass, the truth is that there are essentially four different types that are fairly reliable: spinnerbait, crankbait, jigs, and plastic worms. Unlike smallmouth bass, largemouth bass tend to be attracted towards quieter bait, and these four types of lures excel in that area.
1. Booyah Super Shad: As a spinnerbait, the Booyah Super Shad is great for mimicking a school of fleeing prey. Perhaps best of all, the Booyah Super Shad is incredibly resistant, making it a great option to cast out when you’re searching for activity in a low visibility area. Typically, in the warmer months a spinnerbait should be no bigger than 3/8 ounce for largemouth bass, and no smaller than 3/8 ounce in colder months. The Booyah Super Shad happens to be exactly 3/8 ounce, making it a great fit for any largemouth bass fishing trip at any temperature.
2. Yamamoto Senko Bait: Typically, plastic worms are the most effective choice for largemouth bass fishing. The only time this isn’t the case is when largemouth bass are unusually active. In these scenarios, something more like the Booyah Super Shad is recommended. Still, the Yamamoto Senko Bait is effective in almost any other situation involving largemouth bass. When shopping for other plastic worm brands for largemouth bass fishing, make sure the worms are colored black, blue, or purple, as they are with the Yamamoto Senko Bait. Other colors can be effective in certain situations, but none of them have as strong of a track record with largemouth bass fishing as the black, blue, and purple ones do.
3. Strike King Red Eye Shad Bait: While crankbaits are great for most largemouth bass fishing situations, it’s the lipless crankbaits that are truly the best option. With that in mind, the Strike King Red Eye Shad Bait is an efficient and affordable model. Just remember, when shopping for other crankbait models, that largemouth bass are typically attracted to crankbaits that are between three and five inches in length. Luckily, the Strike King Red Eye Shad Bait comes in multiple sizes.
4. Strike King Bitsy Bug Mini Jig: Jigs tend to be a popular choice of largemouth bass fishermen because they can be used year-round without exception. In addition to performing well in the summer, they’re also effective in the winter when fish are less likely to put an effort into chasing down prey. Since jigs perform better when fished slowly, this ends up creating a great opportunity in the winter. While most larger jigs are effective at largemouth bass fishing, the Strike King Bitsy Bug Mini Jig sets itself apart by being a smaller model. At first glance, that may seem like a step backwards, but the Strike King Bitsy Bug Mini Jig has a stronger hook than normal, which more than makes up for its smaller appearance. For fishermen that want to use a larger jig for whatever reason, the best size is typically around 3/8 ounce for largemouth bass fishing. By being a little smaller though, the Strike King Bitsy Bug Mini Jig can access areas that would otherwise be off-limits, and can protect itself from damage that might occur underwater from wire guards or rocks.
Best Lures for Spring
As mentioned before, when fishing in the spring, the best lures to use are spinnerbaits, plastic frogs, plastic worms, and crankbaits. While they each excel at specific situations in the spring, all four still come highly recommended. Spinnerbaits, in particular, are great for springtime fishing because they can get access to areas that haven’t been covered in too much vegetation since the winter. While topwater lures are also great for spring bait fishing, plastic frogs are surprisingly the most effective in this environment. Of course, the springtime also means the bass are more active than normal, making crankbaits incredibly effective at this point. Finally, as with plastic frogs, plastic worms are equally effective at this point. In fact, most fishermen would agree that plastic worms are the most effective lure in the springtime.
1. Nichols Lures Pulsator Metal Flake Double Willow Spinnerbait: Each of Nichols Lures Pulsator Spinnerbaits may be hand-crafted, but that isn’t what makes them so great at spring fishing. What really makes this product so integral to a fisherman’s kit is its unique pulsating design that attracts fish that would otherwise completely ignore the bait. While the Nichols Lure Pulsator Spinnerbait has been primarily designed to maximize its vibration and pulsating effects, it also happens to be an incredibly durable lure that resists flaking and other undesirable effects from prolonged lure use.
2. Livetarget Hollow Body Frog: The award-winning Livetarget Hollow Body Frog has made a name for itself among professionals for its amazing level of detail. This level of detail helps it to attract curious fish, who are then surprised by the hooks that protrude through its soft body design. Perhaps most important for a plastic frog, the Livetarget Hollow Body Frog has been specifically designed to avoid getting clogged up by weeds or lily pads. As vegetation can be a problem at certain points in the spring, this can be the difference between the success and failure of a fishing trip.
3. Rose Kuli 3.8″6 Jointed Life-like Swimbait Hard Fishing Lure Bass Bait: For the same reason that spinnerbaits are effective in the spring, so too are crankbaits that don’t have to worry about getting caught in weeds yet. As such, the best crankbait for the spring is probably the rather large Rose Kuli Swimbait Hard Fishing Lure Bass Bait. Its large size and accurate detailing makes it the perfect prey for largemouth bass in the spring. Thanks to its high durability and flexible hinge, it is capable of mimicking the swimming action of smaller fish that might entice larger bass to make a move.
4. Zoom Bait Finesse Worm Bait: The biggest strength of the Zoom Bait Finesse Worm Bait is in its versatility. This bait can be fished with a number of styles, from the drop shot to Texas rigged. Plastic worms in general are very effective at bass fishing in the spring, but the Zoom Bait Finesse Worm Bait sets itself apart by using a salt mixture that ensures fish will latch on for longer than with other lures. The five inch long plastic worms that come in the pack are the perfect length to attract both smallmouth and largemouth bass.
Best Lures for Summer
When bass fishing in the summer, the best lure will mainly depend on the temperature or, perhaps more accurately, what stage of the summer you’re currently in. During the early summer, when the temperatures are still relatively low, topwater lures, plastic worms, and spinnerbaits are the best option. By the mid to late summer, spinnerbaits will still be useful, but so will crankbaits as well.
1. Heddon Super Spook Jr. Lure: As one of Heddon’s bestselling fishing lures, it should come as no surprise that the Heddon Super Spook Jr. Lure comes highly recommended for topwater fishing in the summer. As with many of Heddon’s other products, the Heddon Super Spook Jr. Lure isn’t just great at catching bass, but all freshwater fish. This versatility adds even more value to an already affordably priced lure. Its sturdy design also ensures that it can withstand schools of fish.
2. Yum Lures F2 Dinger Bait: Unlike other plastic worms, which attempt to approximate the look and feel of a worm, Yum has designed their worm bait to take on a more eccentric appearance. Interestingly, this approach has paid off tremendously, with their bait having amazing success at attracting fish. As with the Heddon Super Spook Jr. Lure, the Yum Lures F2 Dinger Bait also excels at attracting not just bass, but other freshwater fish as well.
3. Strike King Bottom Dweller Bait: In the summer, when bass hide in deep caves underwater, the best way to get them to come out for a nibble is with a spinnerbait. As far as spinnerbaits go, the Strike King Bottom Dweller Bait is probably the best for this situation. It has been specifically designed not to roll when it makes contact with the ground, ensuring that it stays wherever you’ve sent it. Additionally, the Strike King Bottom Dweller Bait has been designed with innovative new blade technology, which provides a greater flash underwater.
4. Bomber Fat Free Shad Jr.: At a diving depth of four to eight feet, the Bomber Fat Free Shad Jr. excels at catching fish in the summer, as well as other freshwater fish like minnows. For proof of its success, one needs to look no further than its role in many bass fishing tournament victories. In terms of specific innovations, its hard bait design has rejuvenated a market that had previously been dormant and has helped to establish itself as the premiere deep-diving crankbait currently available. Fishermen that are not used to using this type of lure may be hesitant to throw it into areas with a lot of vegetation, but that’s precisely where this crankbait is most effective. If the Bomber Fat Free Shad Jr. gets stuck in a rocky area, simply give it some slack and it will naturally float away and back to you with time. By combining this lure with some of the others listed here, bass at all depths should be covered and ready to be caught.
Given the popularity of bass fishing, and the sheer number of products currently available, it should be noted that this is merely just a few of the many great products out there. Whether you’re interested in a new spinnerbait, or are unfamiliar with what to look for in crankbait, hopefully this guide has given you some new insight into the specifics of bass fishing. Just remember to keep in mind the three main factors of bass fishing: temperature, season, and water quality, and you should be able to find the perfect lure for your fishing trip.
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