Both seasoned and inexperienced fishermen love the challenge of reeling in a big catch. Speaking of big catches, the bass takes the crown as the ultimate catch. To be able to reel in bass, the first thing you need is a lure.

Different lures for bass fishing range from crankbaits, jigs, plastic worms, swimbaits, and spinnerbaits, to name a few. These are all the most efficient bass-fishing lures that every fishing buff loves to use.

Most of the abovementioned lures are pretty adaptable, making them the best bait for largemouth bass fishing. Moreover, each of the lures will deliver in whatever weather conditions fishermen find themselves in. 

Continue reading our bass fishing lure guide to learn about the best lures for catching bass like a pro angler!

Bass Fishing with Lures: How Does It Work?

Bass fishing with lures means having an aid that’ll help you trick the bass into thinking they’re given a treat or they’re getting rid of something they don’t like in their natural habitat. The main reason bass will hook on a lure is one out of the two abovementioned urges – threat or hunger. 

Knowing what triggers a bass to hook on a lure, you’ll slowly become a better angler. To explain how bass fishing with lures works, we should mention that lures are particularly designed to mimic a living creature. Depending on the water conditions the bass lives in and whether your rod needs to penetrate matted grass to reach a certain depth, you’ll also need specific lure types for bass fishing.

The main purpose of lures is to attract and hook bigger fish and fewer by-catches. Besides, lures are great for increasing the fish’s survival rate, which is essential in catch-and-release fishing. 

By being reusable, lures don’t need particular storage options like water tanks or dirt, which will, in turn, lessen the weight of the tackle box. Unlike live bait, lures have no smell and are easy to use. Moreover, the lures reduce the chances of deep-hooking and help keep bass alive when caught. 

Lures are attached to the fishing rod the same way you would attach a live bait. Lures work by hooking big fish in the lips, mouth, or jaws, which makes for an easier and safer catch-and-release.

Different Lures for Bass Fishing: The Ultimate List

When it comes to bass fishing, choosing the right type of lure can make all the difference. Honestly, there are so many lure types specifically for bass fishing that one might easily get overwhelmed and not know which one to choose.

Both beginners and experienced anglers might scratch their heads not knowing which lure is best for particular weather conditions, bass-fishing seasons, and more. When it comes to bass, these types of fish are known to move as deep as 15 or 20 feet, primarily during summer and in clear water.

We’ve shortlisted 8 of the best lures to use for bass fishing, so let’s elaborate on each in more detail:

Spinnerbait

Spinnerbaits are fantastic, versatile fishing aids that work well in almost every bass-fishing scenario. Spinnerbaits allow anglers to attract big fish in clear or muddy waters.

Spinnerbaits call on feisty bass to make a move and come in handy when bumping or bouncing over boulders, debris, or fallen timber in the water. When faced with tall grass and reeds, you won’t find a better bass-fishing lure than the spinner bait. 

Yet, you have to pay attention not to pick up any weeds ‘cause the spinnerbait can do precisely that. In most cases, anglers choose a white-and-green spinnerbait with a silver blade measuring 5/8 Oz. 

Stick Bait

Stick baits are considered legendary among experienced anglers. They’re easily one of the most sought-after and essential lures to use for bass. Those that frequently use the stick bait swear by the Cinnamon, Chartreuse, and Green Pumpkin models as the most effective ones.

Stick baits go well with almost any soft plastic rig, but the Wacky Rig is the most popular among anglers. You can use the stick bait on any type of day, but it will work best for attracting bass under docks, piers, and other not-so-open water surfaces.

What makes stick baits so functional and popular for bass fishing is that they can suspend, dive, or float, so it’s basically up to you and how you want to use them. Even though many inexperienced anglers wouldn’t think of stick baits as potent enough to catch a bass, they’d be wrong.

Square-Bill Crankbait

Without the square-bill crankbait, we can’t comprise a list of good bass fishing lures. Square-bill crankbaits are among the top 3 favorite lures for bass fishing among seasoned anglers. These types of lures come in various colors, shapes, and sizes. Plus, square-bill crankbaits can come with BBs or knockers to make more disturbance in the water, or they can be as silent as fish (pun intended).

These types of bass lures work best for catching largemouths in ponds and shallow waters. The maximum depth range should be between 4-8 ft. Crankbaits will work their magic especially in all types of cover, from stumps and riprap to grass and brush. 

Curl-Tail Grub

Although not as flashy as the square-bill crankbait, the curl-tail grub is still one of the most efficient and versatile lures to use for bass. Specifically important to beginner anglers, the curl-tail grub should be essential in the tackle box. 

Coming in a variety of color variants, these bass lures will do a great job of attracting largemouths and smallmouths in almost any water body. For instance, the 3″ white or brown-colored grub will work like a charm for the bass’ interest. 

To bass, the curl-tail grub can resemble a variety of food organisms. For example, if you choose the white color option or the chartreuse model, bass will become attracted to them, as shad or small minnows would be. On the other hand, a black, green, or red curl-tail grub would mimic worms, lizards, or small snakes – and that’s what bass can’t resist.

Lipless Crankbait

We can’t leave the lipless crank behind when talking about different lures for bass fishing. This type of bass lure works best in a deep-water strategy, allowing anglers pretty potent reel-ins at virtually any depth. 

The lipless crankbait can drop one foot within a second, which means you’ll be able to easily reach your targeted depth within the water column and attract bass. Since bass is more difficult to pinpoint in mid-lake locations, you’d need a specific lure to get the job done, hence, the lipless crankbait. Ripping up the lure will create a pulsating action that’ll appeal to bass, making it easier to reel it in. The lipless crankbait will take you there whether you are looking to catch a smallmouth or a largemouth bass.

Skirted Bass Jig

Otherwise known as the weedless jig, this type of bass lure is undisputedly one of the best lures for catching bass. The lure’s versatility and functionality easily ranks in the top three lures for bass fishing, according to seasoned anglers. 

Inexperienced anglers should probably practice bass fishing using the abovementioned lures before moving on to this jig. In essence, jigs can be thrown under heavy covers or cast under the water surface to mimic the movement of a fleeing bait. Also, you can pitch this type of lure under suspending branches or other unfavorable covers.  

Pair this jig with the curl-tail grub and see it work nicely in thick vegetation, among stubs and rocks, and the shallow or deep. 

Tube Bait

Out of the different lures for bass fishing, this particular lure can attract all bass subtypes. However, according to anglers, tube baits are best for reeling in smallmouth bass. Nonetheless, they’ll do an excellent job attracting spotted bass and largemouths.

The intricate design of the tube fishing lures and bait mimics crustaceans and gobies perfectly, making it hard for basses to bypass it. The tube bait is the ultimate choice for bass fishing in large mud flats and rocky bottoms. 

Top-Water Frog

The top-water frog is probably one of the lures to use for bass that you’ll see featured in renowned magazines. The main feature of this lure is that it particularly shines in scummy, muddy bodies of water that are rather shallow. 

Moreover, if there are a lot of reeds and weeds in the water, don’t think twice before using this lure – it’ll draw out bass even from the most condensed bodies of water, and during scorching hot weather. The top-water frog is a bait that comes in a variety of colors, with yellow, black, and green as the predominant ones.

The Bass Fishing Lure Guide: How to Choose a Lure?

Fishing for bass is a category on its own. Whether you are out and about looking to Fishing for Stripers on the East Coast or thrilled to catch a big one in Norway, you won’t be able to do it without the right gear. And by gear, we mean lures since they’re the ones that’ll attract the catch in the first place.

Granted, there are many different lures for bass fishing, and the one you choose should check several boxes. Different lures deliver different results from weather conditions to particular bodies of water and the time of the day.

Let’s list and elaborate on each in the sections below:

Pair the Type of Lure to the Specific Bass Subtype

For instance, pairing plastic shad lures with bass swimming in rather deep waters might be a good combo. Keep in mind that the heavier the bass is, the sturdier the lure should be. Different types of bass require different visual (and hearing) triggers. 

Consider the Thermocline 

Know that lipped lures won’t perform well when you’re eyeing basses that swim inside layers of water that change temperatures. Moreover, the success of bass fishing in summer largely depends on thermocline. 

Choose a lure with the proper lip. Find one that will easily dive, nearing the approximate thermocline depth and staying there during retrieval. 

Lure Colors Matter

Experienced anglers understand the water-lure color importance well. Namely, deciding to pair your green-colored bass lure with green water would be a pro move. Also, you won’t go wrong with multi-colored lures, too, as long as the predominant lure color corresponds to the color of the water. 

The logic behind the combos is simple – blue lures go well with blue water; green lures go well with green water. 

Vibrations Are Important

Choose a lure that delivers vibrations if you’re fishing for bass in muddy or discolored water. Such vibrations attract bass to your lure even before the fish visually spot the bait. If you’re a newbie to bass fishing, knowing that vibrations appeal more to bass than visually attractive lures can save you a lot of effort (and nerves).

Clear Waters Are Special

Before you go cast your bait, make sure you understand the clarity levels of the water. Water clarity is important because certain types of lure won’t perform as well. 

Remember, skip the rattling lures if you’re fishing for bass in crystal-clear water. It has been known that rattle tends to fend off bass easily. Stick to rattles in muddy waters, instead. 

The Weather Tells You Which Lure Is Best

Understanding the relationship between lures and weather is crucial for a successful fishing session. For example, during windy weather, go for a heavy lure. Sticking on the heavier side of lures is perfect for unfavorable weather conditions, like blowing winds.

Heavy lures allow you to maintain the tension on the line and avoid turning your rod into a bow. Now, when it comes to colder weather, choose a larger lure. Some of the types of lures we mentioned above are bigger compared to others, so opt for a large-scale lure to see your fishing session turn into a success. 

The logic behind cold weather and bass lies in the fact that basses are out and about looking for food that’s bigger in size. When the weather (and water) is cold, basses will look to conserve energy and seek large prey rather than minuscule ones.

When it comes to bass fishing in the summer, it’s important to know that basses tend to concentrate closer to the shore in the early morning hours. As hours pass during summertime, basses will migrate to more open waters. In this particular scenario, it’s best to use top-water lures, plastics, jigs, and lipless crankbaits.

Best Lures to Use for Bass Fishing

From knowing how to pair your lures to the water clarity and which time of day bass can be easily reeled in, being a master bass fisher is no easy task. But if you remember a few key points, you’ll be just fine:

• Know which lures attract particular types of bass
• Test the lure’s performance before you go bass fishing
• Know which lure colors work best in particular water-body colors
• Understand the importance of vibrating and rattling lures
• Know which lures are best for deep-water fishing and which are best for near-surface fishing.

Moreover, knowing which season is best for bass fishing can make all the difference in how successful your fishing ‘sesh is. Plus, the time of day conditions the type of lure to use.  

Your fishing experience can be quite enjoyable if you know the right specs. Pro anglers probably know all of the aspects we covered in this article, but it won’t hurt to brush up on the basics every once in a while. 

FAQs

What attracts bass?

Bass are known to relish feeding on wounded prey, so anything resembling that is great. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits also appeal to bass greatly. 

What is the most effective bass lure?

It depends on the density of the water and the species of bass you’re after. Depending on the water conditions, you might catch a lot of bass with a jig or a crankbait. 

What lures to use when bass aren’t biting?

When bass and crappie are inactive, using a jig with a menace, or grub might be the right incentive for the bass. If you notice you’ve been fishing in the dark for a while, the most efficient method to try is switching up the lures.

People Also Ask

What color lures to use for night bass fishing?

According to experienced anglers, dark or black lures are the best Bass Fishing at Night. Since the surface of the water is covered in a rather light hue at night, a darker lure will deliver quite a contrast and interest the bass is becoming more curious.

What lures to use for bass after rain?

Bass fishing after rain entails using distinct fishing gear. For instance, lures that create noticeable vibrations will attract a bass’ attention faster. Chatterbaits, rattling crankbaits, and spinnerbaits are all fine options for a post-rain fishing session.