The Importance of Using the Right Lures
The importance of using the right lures when fishing for largemouth bass cannot be overstated. While many experienced bass anglers focus on factors such as fish location and mood, lure selection plays a crucial role in enticing strikes and increasing the chances of landing a largemouth bass.
Understanding the behavior and preferences of largemouth bass in various conditions is key to choosing the best lure or bait to use. For instance, in early spring when bass are actively feeding, crawfish lures like the Rebel Crawfish bait or a brown/brown jig-and-pig are a logical choice as bass prey on crawfish.
Similarly, during the bass spawn, using shad-colored or bream-colored lures can maximize your chances of getting a largemouth bass to bite.
Water clarity and weather conditions also influence what are the best lure colors for attracting bass. In clear water, natural colors such as green pumpkins, watermelons, and shad imitations are most effective lures for bass fishing, while in stained water, brighter colors like chartreuse and white serve better as bass tend to see these colors from a distance.
Weather can also play a role in lure selection, with matte blades preferred on overcast days and shiny blades being the best when you’re fishing on sunny days.
In addition to lure color, other factors such as lure type, size, shape, and action are also important in attracting largemouth bass.
For instance, topwater lures like popper lures, buzzbaits, and frog lures are effective in lures that have proven to attract bass lurking near the surface, while spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and soft plastic fishing lures like worms, creature baits, and crawfish imitations cater to different fishing scenarios and water structures when targeting largemouth bass.
Experimenting with different lures and baits, colors, and presentations is essential in finding what the one best lure or bait is for specific fishing conditions.
Catching Largemouth Bass: Main Key Concepts for Choosing Lures
| Factors Affecting Lure Selection | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Fish Location | Largemouth bass inhabit a wide variety of waters, including lakes, ponds, and rivers. Knowing the type of water and the structure of the area can help determine the best lure to use. |
| Fish Mood | Largemouth bass can be more or less active depending on factors such as time of year and water temperature. Understanding their behavior can help determine the best lure to use. |
| Lure Type | Different lure types are more effective in different scenarios. For example, topwater lures like popper lures, buzzbaits, and frog lures are effective in attracting bass lurking near the surface, while spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and soft plastic fishing lures like worms, creature baits, and crawfish imitations cater to different fishing scenarios and water structures. |
| Lure Color | The color of a lure can be influenced by water clarity and weather conditions. In clear water, natural colors such as green pumpkins, watermelons, and shad imitations are most effective, while in stained water, brighter colors like chartreuse and white serve better. Weather can also play a role, with matte blades preferred on overcast days and shiny blades on sunny days. |
| Lure Size, Shape, and Action | The size, shape, and action of a lure can also affect its effectiveness. For example, larger lures are more effective for larger fish, while smaller lures are more effective for smaller fish. The shape and action of a lure can also affect its ability to attract fish. |
| Experimentation | Experimenting with different lures, colors, and presentations is essential in finding what works best in specific fishing conditions. |
Topwater Lures for Bass Fishing
Topwater lures are among the best lures for bass fishing and a popular choice among bass anglers due to their ability to create surface commotion and attract nearby bass.
These lures are particularly effective lures for largemouth bass in calm water conditions and during early morning or late evening hours when bass are actively feeding and willing to strike at the surface.
Popper Lures
Popper lures are designed to create a popping or chugging sound when retrieved, mimicking distressed prey and drawing the attention of bass in the area. These topwater lures are ideal lures for bass fishing in open water in both clear and dirty water conditions and are a great choice for beginners due to their high bass bite rate.
Popper lures come in various sizes, shapes, and colors, allowing anglers to customize their presentation based on the fishing conditions.
For instance, larger poppers with a sharp rattle or loud knock are excellent largemouth bass lures in murky water or during low light conditions, while smaller, more subtle poppers are better suited for clear water and calm conditions when bass can be found near the surface.
Buzzbaits
Buzzbaits are another versatile lure that excels in quickly covering water for bass fishing. Their buzzing blade creates a loud noise that attracts largemouth bass lurking near the surface, making them ideal lures for fast-moving water or windy conditions where more commotion is needed to get the bass to bite.
Buzzbaits are versatile lures that can be fished at varying speeds and depths, making them effective in a wide range of fishing scenarios for targeting largemouth bass.
Anglers can retrieve buzzbaits quickly to cover large areas of water or slow down the retrieve to target specific structures or cover where bass are hiding.
Frog Lures
Frog lures are designed to resemble the real thing and are among the best lures for bass fishing heavy vegetation and thick cover. Their lifelike appearance and movement create a natural presentation that bass love.
Frog lures are typically made of soft plastic lures and are equipped with two big, bold hooks ready to plant themselves into a fish’s jaw as soon as the soft plastic body collapses from a bass bite. This design allows anglers to fish these lures in the thickest cover imaginable without getting snagged.
In summary, topwater lures are an essential tool in any bass angler’s arsenal when fishing for largemouth bass.
By understanding the different types of topwater lures available and the conditions that are most conducive to topwater fishing, anglers can increase their chances of success with largemouth bass and enjoy exciting surface strikes.
Spinnerbaits
Spinnerbaits are a versatile and effective lure for largemouth bass fishing. They are designed to mimic small fish or other prey that bass feed on and are equipped with one or more spinning blades that create vibrations and flashes in the water, attracting the attention of nearby largemouth bass.
Types of Spinnerbaits for Largemouth Bass Fishing
There are several types of spinnerbaits, each with its unique characteristics and advantages for catching bass.
Inline Spinnerbaits
Inline spinnerbaits have a straight wire between the blade and the hook, creating a more subtle action than other spinnerbaits. They are ideal lures for largemouth bass in clear water conditions and for targeting finicky bass.
Safety-Pin Spinnerbaits
Safety-pin spinnerbaits have a curved wire that connects the blade and the hook, creating a wider action and more vibration. They are great lures for stained or murky water conditions and for targeting aggressive largemouth bass.
Blade Types
There are several types of blades used in spinnerbaits, including Colorado, Indiana, and Willow Leaf blades. Colorado blades have a wide, round shape that creates a lot of vibration and is ideal for stained or murky water conditions when bass tend to be less visible. Indiana blades have a narrower, more elongated shape that creates a moderate amount of vibration and is ideal for clear or slightly stained water conditions.
Willow Leaf blades have a thin, elongated shape that creates a fast, tight action and is ideal for clear water conditions for bass.
How to Effectively Use Spinnerbaits in Different Conditions for Bass
Spinnerbaits can be used effectively in various conditions when fishing for largemouth bass, including clear or stained water, shallow or deep water, and calm or windy conditions.
Clear Water Conditions
In clear water conditions, use spinnerbaits with smaller blades, such as Willow Leaf blades, and natural colors that mimic the local forage bass prey on.
Retrieve the spinnerbait slowly and steadily, allowing the blades to spin and create a subtle action to attract bass.
Stained or Murky Water Conditions
In stained or murky water conditions, use spinnerbaits with larger blades, such as Colorado or Indiana blades, and brighter colors that are easier for largemouth bass to see.
Retrieve the spinnerbait faster and more erratically, allowing the blades to create more vibration and flash to get bass to bite from a distance.
Shallow Water Conditions
In shallow water conditions, use spinnerbaits with smaller blades and lighter weights that allow the lure to move more slowly and stay in the strike zone longer for bass.
Cast the spinnerbait parallel to the shoreline or along weed edges and retrieve it slowly and steadily.
Deep Water Conditions
When fishing deeper waters for bass, use spinnerbaits with larger blades and heavier weights that allow the lure to reach the bottom quickly and stay there longer, allowing anglers to effectively target bass at specific depths.
Cast the spinnerbait to the edge of a drop-off or other structure and retrieve it slowly and steadily, allowing the blades to spin and create a wider action to attract any bass in the area.
Calm Conditions
In calm conditions, use spinnerbaits with smaller blades and natural colors that mimic the local forage bass feed on. Retrieve the spinnerbait slowly and steadily, allowing the blades to spin and create a subtle action to trigger bites from bass in the area.
Windy Conditions
In windy conditions when fishing for largemouth bass, use spinnerbaits with larger blades and brighter colors that are easier for bass to see from a distance. Retrieve the spinnerbait faster and more erratically, allowing the blades to create more vibration and flash to attract any nearby bass or to trigger reaction strikes.
Crankbaits
Crankbaits are an essential fishing tackle for largemouth bass, as they effectively cover water and allow you to target bass at specific depth ranges. With their plastic lips, crankbaits dive underwater when reeled in, enabling anglers to present this lure to bass at particular depths. The length and angle of the plastic lip determine the diving depth, with longer, less-angled lips reaching deeper depths than short, sharp-angled lips.
Diving Depths and Sizes for Targeting Largemouth Bass
Crankbaits come in various diving depths and sizes, catering to different largemouth bass fishing scenarios and water structures. The four basic categories of crankbaits are squarebill/shallow diving (0′-8′), medium diving (8′-12′), deep diving (12’+), and lipless crankbaits (diving depth varies). Choosing a specific lure that fits the target depth range is crucial for maximizing your coverage and increasing the chances of a bass bite.
Tips for Using Crankbaits for Bass in Different Waters
Crankbaits can be used effectively in various water structures when fishing for largemouth bass, such as shallow or deep waters, clear or stained waters, and calm or windy conditions. When fishing shallow waters less than 30 feet deep, casting a fast lure like a crankbait is an efficient way to cover water and attract bass from different areas.
In deeper waters, crankbaits with larger lips and heavier weights can reach the bottom quickly and stay there longer, allowing anglers to effectively target bass at those specific depths where they may be suspending or relating to structure.
Experimenting with your retrieval speed, depth, and cadence is essential for finding a productive pattern that triggers bass to strike. Short pauses with quick cranks can mimic an injured baitfish, while bumping the lure against boulders, rocks, and timber can alert any bass in the area with vibration.
While crankbaits come in endless variations, two styles stand out as among the best largemouth bass lures: the squarebill crankbait and the lipless crankbait. These particular lures allow bass anglers to target bass of all depths with virtually all presentations, providing flexibility and versatility in different fishing conditions.
Soft Plastic Baits
Soft plastic baits are a versatile and effective option when fishing for largemouth bass. These bass fishing lures come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, mimicking different prey items that bass love to feed on. Common types of soft plastic lures include worm lures, creature baits, and crawfish imitations.
Worms
Plastic worms are one of the most popular and effective soft plastic baits for catching largemouth bass. They can be fished in various ways, including Texas-rigged, Carolina-rigged, or wacky-rigged. Worm lures are proven fish catchers in various water conditions and can be used to target bass relating to different types of cover and structures.
When fishing with worm lures for bass, it’s important to choose the right size, color, and presentation based on the specific fishing conditions. For example, larger worms may be the best bait for bass in deeper water or when you are specifically targeting bigger bass, while smaller worms may outproduce in shallow water or when bass are being finicky.
Creature Baits
Creature baits are soft plastic lures designed to mimic various organisms that bass prey on, such as crayfish, leeches, or baitfish. These versatile lures often feature multiple appendages or tentacles that create a lively, pulsating action in the water, which can trigger strikes from active bass.
Creature baits can be rigged in various ways for different situations, including Texas-rigged, Carolina-rigged, or on a jig head. They are effective in various water conditions and can be fished around many types of cover and structures where bass may be holding.
Crawfish Imitations
Crawfish imitation lures are soft plastic baits designed to perfectly mimic the natural appearance and movement of crawfish, which are a primary forage that big bass in lakes and rivers feed heavily on. These lures often feature an incredibly realistic claw design and a segmented body that undulates enticingly when retrieved, creating a natural presentation that bass find hard to resist.
Crawfish imitation baits can be effectively fished in various ways, including Texas-rigged, Carolina-rigged, or dressed on a jig head. They are particularly effective in areas where crawfish are present in good numbers, such as rocky bottoms, submerged stumps, or other underwater structures where bass often hang out and ambush prey.
Jig and Pig
Benefits of Using a Jig and Pig for Bass
The jig and pig combination is a popular and extremely effective technique among bass fishermen for catching largemouth bass. This versatile combination can be fished successfully in a wide variety of conditions, making it a go-to option for many seasoned anglers.
The jig head, which is usually made of a lead or tungsten material, allows the lure to sink quickly through the water column and reach the desired depth where bass may be suspending or relating to cover. Meanwhile, the soft plastic trailer known as a “pig” adds bulk, profile, and lifelike undulating action to the overall presentation.
Techniques for Fishing a Jig and Pig for Bass
There are several productive techniques for fishing a jig and pig combo when targeting largemouth bass, including flipping, pitching, casting, and jigging:
Flipping and pitching both involve using a specialized bass rod and reel to launch the jig close to tight cover like docks, overhanging trees, or other visible structures that bass may be holding around. Casting typically utilizes a longer rod to cover more open water andcast the jig and pig towards potential ambush points for bass.
Jigging is a verticle presentation where anglers impart a repeating up-and-down motion to the jig, keeping it in the strike zone for an extended period. This can be an extremely productive way to target suspended bass or to methodically pick apart deeper underwater structure that bass use as a staging area.
When fishing a jig and pig, it’s essential to choose the right size and color combination to match the given conditions and the seasonal feeding habits of the bass you’re targeting. For example, a larger, bulkier profile may get more bites when bass are actively feeding. A smaller, compact jig and pig may be better when fishing gets tougher and finesse is needed to entice bites.
The color of both the jig head and soft plastic trailer can also be a major factor in your success. At times brighter colors provide more visibility, while more natural, subdued colors are called for in very clear water or dealing with spooky, lethargic bass.
Overall, the jig and pig is a fish-catching powerhouse combination that should be a staple in every serious bass angler’s arsenal. With its unmatched versatility for multiple situations, the jig and pig allows you to effectively fish a wide range of depths, cover, and structure types that largemouth bass utilize throughout the year.
Conclusion
As we’ve covered, some of the very best largemouth bass lures and baits include topwater presentations like popper lures, buzzbaits, and frog lures. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, along with various soft plastic lures replicating worms, creature baits, and crawfish are also essential bass catchers. And the ever-reliable jig and pig combination rounds out a well-balanced arsenal.
Each of these lure types has unique benefits and specialty techniques for effectively
