Bass fishing is a popular activity that requires the use of the right type of lure to catch fish effectively. Understanding the different types of lures and how to use them can be the key to catching more fish and having a successful day on the water. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular types of lures used for bass fishing and discuss their features, benefits, and best applications. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler, this guide can help you choose the right lures to improve your bass fishing game.
7. Crankbaits
Crankbaits are a popular type of fishing lure for bass and other predatory fish. They are designed to mimic the movement and appearance of a baitfish, and are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. Here are some of the most popular types of crankbaits:
- Shallow diving crankbaits: These lures are designed to dive to depths of around 2-5 feet and are ideal for fishing in shallow water or around cover. Some popular examples of shallow diving crankbaits include the Rapala Shallow Shad Rap and the Strike King Square Bill.
- Medium diving crankbaits: These lures can dive to depths of around 6-12 feet and are versatile enough to be used in a variety of fishing situations. Some popular medium diving crankbaits include the Bomber Model A and the Berkley Flicker Shad.
- Deep diving crankbaits: These lures are designed to reach depths of 15 feet or more, making them ideal for fishing in deep water or around submerged structures. Some popular deep diving crankbaits include the Strike King 10XD and the Norman DD22.
- Lipless crankbaits: These lures have a flat or slightly concave head and no diving lip, allowing them to sink quickly and be retrieved at various depths. They are versatile and can be used in a variety of fishing situations, including around cover and in open water. Popular lipless crankbaits include the Rat-L-Trap and the Bill Lewis Echo 1.75.
- Squarebill crankbaits: These lures have a short, square-shaped diving lip and are designed to deflect off cover without getting snagged. They are ideal for fishing around shallow cover and can be effective in both clear and murky water. Popular squarebill crankbaits include the Strike King KVD 1.5
6. Spinnerbaits
Spinnerbaits are a popular type of fishing lure that consists of a metal wire frame with one or more spinning blades and a skirt or trailer. They are versatile lures that can be used in a variety of fishing situations, and are particularly effective for catching bass. Here are some of the most popular types of spinnerbaits:
- Colorado blade spinnerbaits: These spinnerbaits have a single, large Colorado blade that creates a lot of vibration and is ideal for fishing in murky water or low light conditions. Some popular Colorado blade spinnerbaits include the Booyah Colorado Spinnerbait and the Strike King Premier Plus Spinnerbait.
- Willow blade spinnerbaits: These spinnerbaits have one or more long, narrow Willow blades that create a lot of flash and are ideal for fishing in clear water or bright conditions. Some popular Willow blade spinnerbaits include the Strike King Mini-King Spinnerbait and the Terminator T1 Spinnerbait.
- Tandem blade spinnerbaits: These spinnerbaits have two blades, one Willow blade and one Colorado blade, which create both flash and vibration. They are versatile lures that can be used in a variety of fishing situations. Some popular tandem blade spinnerbaits include the Booyah Tandem Blade Spinnerbait and the Strike King KVD Finesse Spinnerbait.
- Spinnerbait jigs: These spinnerbaits have a jig head instead of a skirt or trailer, which allows them to be fished at different depths and around cover. They are ideal for fishing in deeper water or around submerged structures. Some popular spinnerbait jigs include the Strike King Tour Grade Swim Jig and the Z-Man ChatterBait.
- Spinnerbait buzzbaits: These spinnerbaits have a single blade that is designed to create a lot of surface disturbance and noise, attracting bass from a distance. They are ideal for fishing in shallow water or around vegetation. Some popular spinnerbait buzzbaits include the Strike King Buzz King and the Booyah Buzz.
5. Topwater lures
Topwater lures are designed to create a disturbance on the surface of the water, attracting predatory fish like bass to strike. They are often used in shallow water or around cover and can be very effective when the fish are actively feeding near the surface. Here are some of the most popular types of topwater lures:
- Popper: A popper is a type of topwater lure that has a concave mouth that creates a popping sound when it’s retrieved. They are designed to imitate a wounded or struggling baitfish and are popular for fishing in calm water. Some popular poppers include the Rebel Pop-R and the Heddon Chug’n Spook.
- Walking bait: A walking bait, also known as a “walk-the-dog” lure, is a topwater lure that creates a side-to-side swimming action when it’s retrieved. They are designed to imitate a fleeing baitfish and are effective for fishing in open water or around cover. Some popular walking baits include the Heddon Super Spook and the Strike King Sexy Dawg.
- Buzzbait: A buzzbait is a topwater lure that has a propeller blade that spins on the surface, creating a lot of noise and vibration. They are designed to imitate a baitfish or frog moving across the surface and are popular for fishing in shallow water or around vegetation. Some popular buzzbaits include the Booyah Buzz and the Strike King Premier Plus Buzzbait.
- Frog: A frog lure is a topwater lure that is designed to look and move like a frog on the surface of the water. They are popular for fishing in heavy vegetation or lily pads, where they can be worked slowly and convincingly. Some popular frog lures include the Spro Bronzeye Frog and the Zoom Horny Toad.
- Prop bait: A prop bait is a topwater lure that has a propeller blade on the front or rear of the lure that spins and creates a commotion on the surface of the water. They are effective for fishing in calm water or around cover and can be retrieved in a variety of ways. Some popular prop baits include the Rebel Bumble Bug and the Heddon Torpedo.
4. Swimbaits
Swimbaits are a type of fishing lure that imitate the swimming action of baitfish, making them effective for catching predatory fish like bass. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles, and can be fished in a variety of ways. Here are some of the most popular types of swimbaits:
- Soft plastic swimbaits: Soft plastic swimbaits are made from a soft, pliable material that mimics the texture and movement of real baitfish. They can be rigged with a variety of hooks and jigheads and can be retrieved at different speeds to imitate different types of baitfish. Some popular soft plastic swimbaits include the Zoom Swimmer and the Keitech Easy Shiner.
- Hard swimbaits: Hard swimbaits are made from a rigid material like plastic or wood and are often designed to look and move like real fish. They can be equipped with treble hooks or single hooks and can be retrieved at different speeds to imitate different types of baitfish. Some popular hard swimbaits include the Spro BBZ-1 Swimbait and the Megabass Vision 110.
- Glide baits: Glide baits are a type of swimbait that have a jointed body and move in a side-to-side motion when they’re retrieved. They can be fished at a variety of depths and speeds and can be very effective for catching big bass. Some popular glide baits include the S-Waver 168 and the Deps Slide Swimmer.
- Paddle tail swimbaits: Paddle tail swimbaits have a tail that moves back and forth when the lure is retrieved, creating a swimming action that is very realistic. They can be rigged with a variety of hooks and jigheads and can be fished at different depths and speeds. Some popular paddle tail swimbaits include the Strike King Rage Swimmer and the Basstrix Paddle Tail Swimbait.
- Line-through swimbaits: Line-through swimbaits are designed to be rigged so that the fishing line runs through the body of the lure, creating a more natural swimming action. They can be rigged with a variety of hooks and can be fished at different depths and speeds. Some popular line-through swimbaits include the Savage Gear 3D Shine Glide and the Huddleston Deluxe Swimbait.
3. Soft plastic lures
Soft plastic lures are a popular choice among bass anglers due to their versatility and effectiveness. They can be rigged in a variety of ways and can be fished in a range of different conditions. Here are some of the most popular types of soft plastic lures for bass fishing:
- Worms: Worms are perhaps the most popular soft plastic lure for bass fishing. They come in a variety of sizes, colors, and styles and can be rigged with a variety of hooks and weights. Some popular worm lures include the Zoom Trick Worm and the Berkley Powerbait Maxscent Kingtail Worm.
- Creature baits: Creature baits are soft plastic lures that are designed to imitate creatures like crawfish, lizards, and insects. They can be rigged with a variety of hooks and weights and can be fished in a variety of ways. Some popular creature baits include the Strike King Rage Craw and the NetBait Paca Craw.
- Grubs: Grubs are small soft plastic lures that are designed to imitate baitfish and other small aquatic creatures. They can be rigged with a variety of hooks and weights and can be fished in a variety of ways. Some popular grub lures include the Yamamoto Single Tail Grub and the Berkley Gulp! Swimming Mullet.
- Tubes: Tubes are soft plastic lures that are designed to imitate crawfish and other bottom-dwelling creatures. They can be rigged with a variety of hooks and weights and can be fished in a variety of ways. Some popular tube lures include the Strike King Coffee Tube and the Berkley Gulp Saltwater Swimming Mullet Tube.
2. Jerkbaits
Jerkbaits are a popular type of fishing lure that are designed to mimic the movement of an injured baitfish. They are typically made of hard plastic or soft plastic and can be fished in a variety of ways. Here are some of the most popular types of jerkbaits for bass fishing:.
Lipless jerkbaits: Lipless jerkbaits are a type of hard plastic jerkbait that do not have a diving lip. They are designed to be fished with a jerking motion and can be very effective for catching bass in shallow water. Some popular lipless jerkbaits include the Rat-L-Trap and the Strike King Red Eye Shad.
Suspending jerkbaits: Suspending jerkbaits are a type of hard plastic jerkbait that are designed to suspend in the water column when they are paused during the retrieve. This can be a very effective technique for enticing bass to bite. Some popular suspending jerkbaits include the Lucky Craft Pointer and the Jackall Squad Minnow.
Jointed jerkbaits: Jointed jerkbaits are a type of hard plastic jerkbait that have a jointed body, allowing them to move in a more lifelike manner when they are retrieved. They can be fished at a variety of depths and can be very effective for catching big bass. Some popular jointed jerkbaits include the Jointed Shallow Shad Rap and the Rapala Jointed 05
1. Jigs
Jigs are a popular type of fishing lure for bass fishing that consist of a weighted head and a hook, typically dressed with a skirt made of silicone, rubber or other materials. They can be fished in a variety of ways and are often used for fishing in deeper water or around cover. Here are some of the most popular types of jigs for bass fishing:
- Football jigs: Football jigs are named for their football-shaped head, which allows them to stand upright on the bottom and mimic the movement of a crawfish. They are often used for fishing deep water and are very effective for catching bass. Some popular football jigs include the Strike King Tour Grade Football Jig and the Z Man Crosseyez Football Jig.
- Flipping jigs: Flipping jigs are designed to be used with a flipping or pitching technique, allowing anglers to fish them in and around cover. They typically have a heavier weight and a thicker hook to help penetrate heavy cover. Some popular flipping jigs include the Booyah Boo Jig and the Strike King Hack Attack Heavy Cover Jig.
- Swim jigs: Swim jigs are designed to be fished with a swimming motion, imitating the movement of a baitfish. They typically have a lighter weight and a more streamlined head to allow for a more natural swimming motion. Some popular swim jigs include the Strike King Swim Jig and the Z-Man ChatterBait.
- Finesse jigs: Finesse jigs are smaller, lighter jigs that are designed to be fished in clear water or in more finesse situations. They typically have a smaller hook and a finesse-style skirt. Some popular finesse jigs include the Bitsy Bug Mini Jig and the Strike King Bitsy Flip Jig.
Selecting the appropriate lure for fishing plays a critical role in achieving success on the water. For beginner anglers, it’s important to start with lures that are easy to use and versatile, such as spinnerbaits, soft plastic worms, and crankbaits. These lures can be effective for catching a variety of fish species and can help beginners develop their skills and confidence on the water.
However, as an angler gains more experience and skill, it’s important to move on to more advanced lures that require more finesse and knowledge to use effectively. Swimbaits, jigs, and topwater lures are popular choices among professional anglers because of their effectiveness for catching big fish and their versatility in a variety of fishing situations.
Swimbaits, for example, are effective for mimicking natural prey and require an understanding of the behavior and habits of the fish being targeted. Jigs require a more specialized technique and can be effective for fishing in deep water or around cover. Topwater lures are exciting to use and require skill and knowledge to effectively imitate the movements of natural prey.
In conclusion, as an angler progresses in skill and experience, it’s important to experiment with different types of lures and find the ones that work best for them and the specific fishing conditions they encounter. By constantly learning and adapting, anglers can continue to improve their skills and catch more fish on the water.