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September 23, 2020
Ever spend the day casting your lucky lure and wondering why it isn’t so lucky today. Before you toss it out, consider whether you are using the right lure under the right conditions. When it comes to fishing it is important to consider the type of fish you are hoping to catch but also a few other factors.
Here are highly effective lures for bass fishing and what’s in my tacklebox!
1. Plastic Worms
When to Use: Great for slow presentations, especially in cover like weeds or near structures as well as clear water. When bass can more easily see the lure, something more natural is ideal. Big bass tend to be more lethargic and often feed on slow-moving prey therefore a large plastic worm mimics an easy meal.
Why: They’re versatile, inexpensive, and mimic the natural movements of prey.
Best Types: Stick baits, ribbon-tail worms, and finesse worms.
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2. Crankbaits
When to Use: Perfect for covering large areas quickly and finding active fish. Crankbaits work well in open water and around structures. Best to use early morning or late afternoon when bass are fishing near the surface. Use shallow water crankbaits in the Spring and Fall and use deep-diving crankbaits in the Summer and Winter. Ideal for low-visibility conditions or after it rains, the vibration and flash of a crankbait may attract a bass.
Why: Crankbaits are designed to dive and resemble baitfish, making them irresistible to bass.
Best Types: Squarebills (for shallow water), deep-diving crankbaits (for deep lakes).
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3. Spinnerbaits
When to Use: These work great in areas with lots of cover like weeds or timber. Use a spinnerbait around spring and summer when bass are holding close to cover, the weedless design allows you to fish where the bass like to hide.
Why: Spinnerbaits create vibration and flash that attract bass even in murky water and cloudy overcast days.
Best Types: Willow leaf blades (for speed) or Colorado blades (for vibration).
Buying Option on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3THeZ3z
4. Jigs
When to Use: Use in deep water or when fishing around rocks, docks, and submerged trees. Jigs can penetrate cover better than most other lures. This lure can be used year-round. Jigs can be fished very slowly and in colder waters to attract larger or lethargic bass.
Why: Jigs are great for imitating crawfish and other bottom-dwelling prey because they can reach the bottom quickly and subtly.
Best Types: Football head jigs for rocky bottoms, flipping jigs for heavy cover.
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5. Topwater Lures (Poppers, Frogs, and Walking Baits)
When to Use: Best during early morning or late evening when bass are feeding near the surface. During or after spawn (late Spring) is a great time to use this lure because bass aggressively guard their nests and will attack anything that comes close. Post-spawn bass are hungry. If you see many baitfish near the surface, especially in Summer and early Fall, a topwater lure is effective since it mimics real baitfish. On calm water, a topwater lure may attract a bass but a tip is to use a walking bait or popper to make subtle, natural-looking ripples.
Why: They create excitement by staying on the surface and triggering explosive strikes.
Best Types: Frogs for heavy cover like lily pads, poppers for open water.
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6. Swimbaits
When to Use: These lures excel when bass are chasing larger baitfish. Swimbaits closely resemble baitfish so ideal to use in clear water where bass can see it at a distance, pre- or post-spawn when bass are aggressive and when moved slowly, use around structures. Swimbaits can be used at various water depths.
Why: They closely resemble the size and movement of prey fish, making them very lifelike.
Best Types: Paddle tail swimbaits for a natural swimming action.
Buying Option on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3zGbtj3
7. Soft Plastics (Creatures, Craws, and Flukes)
When to Use: Soft plastics are some of the most versatile lures for bass fishing and work in a variety of situations. Use them in clear water or when bass are more finicky. Bass are typically less aggressive in cold water and the lifelike appearance to these lures are key to grabbing their attention. On the flip side, the natural look of these lures are perfect around spawning when bass are protective of their nests and will attack.
Why: Bass love them for their lifelike appearance and movement.
Best Types: Flukes for a subtle presentation, creature baits for flipping or pitching into heavy cover.
Buying Option on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4eCiG2H
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