8 Bass Lures That Really Work!

One of the most important things to consider when bass fishing is choosing the right lure. Different lures work better in different situations, so selecting the best one can make a big difference in how many bass you catch.

Several factors can affect how bass behave and what lures they are attracted to. These include:

• Water conditions - Is the water clear or muddy? Is it deep or shallow?
• Time of day and light levels - Bass may prefer different lures in low light or bright sunlight.
• Weather conditions -  Sunny, cloudy, or windy weather can impact bass behavior.
• Cover and structure -  Bass often hide near vegetation, rocks, or wood.
• Seasons and water temperature - Bass habits change throughout the year.
• Bass mood and hunger -  Sometimes bass are more or less active and willing to bite.

With the right lure and a little bit of luck, you'll be reeling in bass in no time!

Crankbaits

Crankbaits are versatile lures that dive underwater and mimic the movement of small fish or prey. They work best in clear, deeper water between 10 and 20 feet. Bass often hide near underwater structures like submerged wood or rocks, so cast your crankbait near these areas and retrieve it at a steady pace, allowing it to bounce off the bottom or obstacles.

One of the biggest advantages of crankbaits is their ability to cover a lot of water quickly. By casting and retrieving rapidly, you can search for active bass across a large area. This is helpful when you're unsure of the fish's location or exploring a new spot. Once you find the bass, slow down and work the area thoroughly.

Jigs

Jigs are versatile lures that can be used in a variety of situations, making them a popular choice among bass anglers. They excel in areas with thick cover like grass, weeds, trees, or stumps, thanks to their weedless design. Jigs can be used effectively in both shallow and deep water, either flipped or pitched into tight spaces or dragged along the bottom.

When fishing with jigs, use a heavy action rod with a stiff backbone to drive the hook into the fish's mouth and pull it out of heavy cover. Braided line is also recommended for its sensitivity and low stretch, allowing you to detect even the lightest bites.

Soft Plastic Lures

Soft plastic lures are versatile and effective for catching bass, coming in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors that mimic various prey. They can be adapted to different water conditions and rigged in various ways, such as Texas-rigged, Carolina-rigged, or wacky-rigged, allowing for presentation at different depths and in different situations.

Worms and creature baits are two popular types of soft plastic lures:

• Worms, like straight-tail or curly-tail varieties, are effective in many situations
• Creature baits that mimic crawfish or frogs excel around heavy cover or when bass are actively feeding

Soft plastic lures perform well in both clear and muddy water:

• In clear water, natural colors like green pumpkin or watermelon are effective
• In muddy water, brighter colors like white, chartreuse, or black/blue stand out and attract bass

Spinnerbaits

Spinnerbaits are "reaction baits" that can trigger bass to strike even when they're not actively feeding. They work well in various weather conditions but are especially effective on windy or cloudy days. The vibration and flash created by the spinning blades attract bass from a distance, even in low-light conditions or slightly stained water.

Spinnerbaits can be used in both shallow and deep water:

• In shallow water, retrieve them quickly along the surface or just below it to mimic baitfish
• In deeper water, slow-roll them along the bottom or through submerged vegetation

Experiment with different retrieval speeds and depths to find what bass prefer.

The main advantage of spinnerbaits is their ability to provoke reaction strikes from bass. Even if a bass isn't hungry, the sudden flash and vibration can trigger its predatory instincts, making spinnerbaits a great choice when bass are not actively feeding or when you need to cover water quickly.

Although spinnerbaits may not always be the first lure you think of, they can be highly effective in the right conditions. Keep a few sizes and colors in your tackle box and use them when the wind picks up or the clouds roll in.

Topwater Lures

Topwater lures are a favorite among bass anglers, offering an exciting and visual way to catch fish. These lures are designed to be fished on the surface, creating a disturbance that attracts nearby bass. Topwater lures are most effective when bass are actively feeding on the surface, often during low-light conditions like early morning or late evening, and when the water is calm with little wind.

Clear to slightly stained water is best for topwater fishing, as bass can easily see the lure and are more likely to attack it. Low-light conditions, such as dawn or dusk, are prime times because bass are more active and less wary during these periods.

Topwater lures can be effective when fished near structure like:

• Weed beds
• Lily pads
• Submerged trees where bass often hide

Fishing parallel to the shore or along the edges of cover can also be productive.

Topwater fishing is one of the most exciting ways to catch bass, with the thrill of seeing a fish explode on your lure. Keep a variety of topwater lures, such as poppers, walk-the-dog baits, and buzzbaits, in your tackle box, and use them when the conditions are right.

Frogs

Frog lures are a special type of topwater bait designed to mimic the appearance and movement of a frog, a natural prey item for bass. They can be incredibly effective for catching bass in heavy cover. Many frog lures come pre-hooked and pre-rigged with a weedless double hook, making them easy to use and resistant to snagging in thick vegetation.

Frog lures excel in areas with heavy vegetation like:

• Lily pads
• Grass mats
• Weed beds

They can also be effective when fished around structure such as logs or stumps. Cast the frog onto the cover and work it back with short twitches or pauses to mimic the movement of a real frog.

When fishing with frogs, use heavy-duty gear, including a stout rod and strong braided line, to help you pull bass out of heavy cover. Wait until you feel the weight of the fish before setting the hook, as bass often strike a frog several times before getting hooked.

Jigs with Soft Plastic Trailers

Jigs are versatile lures that become even more effective when paired with a soft plastic trailer. This combination creates a lifelike appearance and adds extra motion to the lure, making it irresistible to bass. To rig a jig with a trailer, thread the trailer onto the jig hook, leaving enough room for the hook point to be exposed. Popular trailer options include:

• Chunk-style baits
• Craw-style baits
• Paddle tail grubs

Experiment with different trailer shapes and sizes to find what works best in various situations.

Jigs with soft plastic trailers are particularly effective in heavy cover, such as brush piles, laydowns, or thick vegetation. The compact jig head penetrates through the cover, while the trailer adds bulk and action to the presentation. This combination can be deadly for bass hiding in heavy cover.

Popular jig and trailer setups include:

• Black and blue jigs with blue sapphire chunk trailers for murky water
• Green pumpkin jigs with watermelon red flake craw trailers for clear water
• White jigs with white paddle tail grubs for imitating shad