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Best Bass Fishing Lures 2023: Comprehensive Buyers Guide

The secret of finding the most efficient bass lures for your specific fishing "style"!... so you can avoid the disastrously-expensive mistakes 9 of 10 new anglers make!

In recent years, there have been several changes in the different categories of bass lures in the market. It’s not enough to just have any ol’ fishing lure… and… to make matters worse bass fishing has become so popular that anglers now have to choose their lures with precision. 

Let me put it this way… there are 2.3 million more anglers now than there were in 2019 (pre-COVID)1… and that is staggering!

And thanks to the internet you’re constantly bombarded with ads from retailers who only want to sell, sell, sell. It’s almost impossible to remember and organize all the lures that can be at your disposal 

It’s almost impossible to look for fishing supplies online without coming across a ton of adverts that only divert your attention… and… give you the impression that you need to get several items for your wedding that you really don’t need!

Speaking honestly, when I was getting started I felt really overwhelmed, and I’m sure you felt the same.

I’m going to teach you how to shop for lures in a reasoned, deliberate, and intentional manner today so that you don’t get duped by the sleazy spiel used by the billion-dollar fishing trade.

Sounds good?  Are you ready to dive in?

First Things First...

The first point I want to make is how crucial it is to check out vendors’ websites and read through all the reviews… the good and bad… before you leave the house or go shopping online. I wanted to stress this point even more because it is so crucial.

Now make yourself a shopping list… 

I’m not gonna lie, creating a shopping list takes some extra time and effort.  The good news is that you won’t forget anything and you’ll save a lot of money if you stick to your list of bass lures that you need. 

Bottom line

Prepare ahead of time by making sure that you know what you want before you start to do your actual shopping.

In A Hurry?

If you don’t have much time to read the detailed reviews on all of the Best Baits To Catch Bass, simply use the links below to quickly find the best products for the money on Amazon. You can be assured we only choose the best products…

Best Overall –  Mythik Lures Rock Crawler Jig

Best Hard Plastic Bait – Strike King Series 5 Crankbait

Best Bait In Windy Conditions – Nichols Lures Pulsator Spinnerbait

Best Soft Plastic BaitYamamoto Senko

Best Finesse Bait – Roboworm Fat Straight Tail Worm  

Editor’s Choice – Zoom Baby Brush Hog

Here's An Easy Comparison Table!

Fishing Jig
Rock Crawler Tungsten Football Jigs for Bass Fishing - Premium Tournament-Grade Jig Head Fishing Lure Set - Perfect Fishing Kit Gift for Serious Anglers 1/2, 3/4, 1 oz
Spinnerbait
Nichols Lures Pulsator Metal Flake Double Willow Spinnerbait, Blue Shad/White, 1/2-Ounce
Soft Plastic Worm
Gary Yamamoto 6" SENKO WATERMELON W/ BLACK & RED FLAKE (5 PACK)
Crankbait
Strike King (HC5-538) Promodel Crankbait S5 Fishing Lure, 538 - Chartreuse Sexy Shad, 5/8 oz, 2 Degree Diving Plane
Drop Shot Worm
Roboworm Straight Tail Worm Bait (Margarita Mutilator, 7-Inch)
Product
Mythik Lures Tungsten Football Jigs
Nichols Lures Pulsator Spinnerbait
Yamamoto Senko
Strike King Pro-Model Series 5 Crankbait
Roboworm Straight Tail Worm Bait
Class
Slow
Reaction
Slow
Reaction, diving bait
Slow
Floating or sinking
Sinking
Sinking
Sinking
Floating
Sinking
Quantity per pack
3
1
8
1
10
Prime Status
-
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
-
Fishing Jig
Rock Crawler Tungsten Football Jigs for Bass Fishing - Premium Tournament-Grade Jig Head Fishing Lure Set - Perfect Fishing Kit Gift for Serious Anglers 1/2, 3/4, 1 oz
Product
Mythik Lures Tungsten Football Jigs
Class
Slow
Floating or sinking
Sinking
Quantity per pack
3
Prime Status
-
Learn More
Spinnerbait
Nichols Lures Pulsator Metal Flake Double Willow Spinnerbait, Blue Shad/White, 1/2-Ounce
Product
Nichols Lures Pulsator Spinnerbait
Class
Reaction
Floating or sinking
Sinking
Quantity per pack
1
Prime Status
Amazon Prime
Learn More
Soft Plastic Worm
Gary Yamamoto 6" SENKO WATERMELON W/ BLACK & RED FLAKE (5 PACK)
Product
Yamamoto Senko
Class
Slow
Floating or sinking
Sinking
Quantity per pack
8
Prime Status
Amazon Prime
Learn More
Crankbait
Strike King (HC5-538) Promodel Crankbait S5 Fishing Lure, 538 - Chartreuse Sexy Shad, 5/8 oz, 2 Degree Diving Plane
Product
Strike King Pro-Model Series 5 Crankbait
Class
Reaction, diving bait
Floating or sinking
Floating
Quantity per pack
1
Prime Status
Amazon Prime
Learn More
Drop Shot Worm
Roboworm Straight Tail Worm Bait (Margarita Mutilator, 7-Inch)
Product
Roboworm Straight Tail Worm Bait
Class
Slow
Floating or sinking
Sinking
Quantity per pack
10
Prime Status
-
Learn More

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Hard Lures

Jigs

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Jigs are the quintessential do-everything bait. They can be crawled on the ground like crayfish or swam through submerged brush and timber like shad or bluegill.  They can also be used to conduct hand to hand combat with flipped and pitched. Always have a variety of watermelon, green pumpkin, and black-and-blue colored jigs.

I whole heartedly recommend Mythik Lures Rock Crawler Tungsten Football Jigs.

Read more: Check out all the reviews from real Amazon customers! 

Grinding and bulldozing over the submerged structure,  shell beds, or finding the transition areas from chunk rock to pea gravel, you need that extra sensitivity that only Tungsten can give you. 

The quality of these jigs is what you would get from a custom made jig. 

The collars are hand-tied with wire, the jig heads are powder coated and then baked on for extra durability, and the hook is a Mustad black nickel that is sticky sharp.

Still find yourself struggling? Want to catch a monster bass quickly without having to hire an expensive charter guide? Perfect! Simply then head over to my report, 25 Football Jig Tips Can’t Afford To Ignore [Insider Tips For Bass Angler’s Only].

Click HERE to get all the information the Pros don’t want you to know about!

Here a list of the top jigs for you to consider

Crankbaits

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Crankbaits are amazing for covering water in a hurry, especially if the bass are feeding. Make sure you grind and bump the crankbaits along the submerged structure. Make sure you employ different retrieves as well as stop-and-go or burning and pausing work exceptionally well.

The Strike King Pro-Model Series 5 is a medium-sized body with a medium wobble and medium buoyancy. The Series 5 has a 2-degree diving plane to allow for lengthened casts and deeper depths. Dives to 12 feet One of the most popular crankbaits on the market! All Pro-Model Crankbaits feature free-floating rattles and lifelike 3D eyes.

By the way, if you like crankbait fishing, but HATE how it can be so frustrating and difficult to catch bass on, then you’ll LOVE this full report of secret information, most of which only the Pros will know about.

I just published on the top crankbait questions and challenges every aspiring bass angler faces AND how to overcome them. It’s titled “How To Fish A Crankbait [17 Essential Secrets To Catching Bass With A Crankbait]” and you can grab it for free here: click HERE to learn more!

Read more: REVEALED: 90% of Guys Fishing A Crankbait Don’t Know About This Trick! 

Here a list of the top crankbaits for you to consider

Spinnerbaits

When the reaction bite is on you want to throw a spinnerbait.

Spinnerbaits shine when they are thrown through shad boils, schooling baitfish or when bass are protecting their fry after spring spawn. Also, you want to throw a spinnerbait parallel to bluff walls and intentionally bumped into the structure. 

Spinnerbaits work best if the conditions are breezy-to-windy. 

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Nichols Lures Pulsator Spinnerbait uses Extreme Flash Technology (EFT) to create a holographic light pattern that makes these the flashiest, brightest blades on the market. Fishing lures with the realistic hand-painted head with flared gill plates. Tournament grade components make our spinnerbaits made to last. Stainless steel spacer with 90 strands, 100% silicone hubbed skirt with built-in necktie trailer. Made in the USA

Read more: Take a look at what other fishermen just like you are saying about the Nichols Pulsator Spinnerbaits

Here a list of the top spinnerbaits for you to consider

Poppers

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This proven lure was created to spit and splash the water around its concave nose on the water’s surface.

Poppers are designed to look like a distressed baitfish, frog, or insect.

These fantastic bass fishing baits are one of the easiest to use and are ideal for novices. 

There’s no need for fine-tuned tactics; simply cast out and jiggle and retreive the lure with small jerks (called “pops”) of the rod the tip every now and then, reeling in while the lure is still at rest.

Of all the poppers on the market the Rebel Lures Pop-R Topwater Popper Fishing Lure has to be the most trusted and dependable for millions of anglers. 

Read more: Check out all the Rebel Pop-R Lure reviews from real Amazon customers! 

Here a list of the topwater poppers for you to consider

Buzzbaits

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The buzzbait, which is often overlooked, is the ideal tool for catching giant bass. Bass will be driven insane by the loud surface noise, blades, squirming skirt, and soft plastic trailer.

When you’re looking for a huge bite, this is the bait you use.

A 3/8-ounce buzzbait is a good BOOYAH Buzz Buzzbait is a great option place to start.

“When the fish are using shallow water cover, the buzzbait will flush them out,” according to Bass Fishing Legend Kevin VanDam.

The buzzbait is one of his favorite lures for persuading bass to come out of cover, and you can count on it to do the same for you.

Read more: Check out all the BOOYAH Buzz Bait  reviews from real Amazon customers! 

Here a list of the top buzzbaits for you to consider

Walking Baits

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A walking bait is a cigar-shaped bait that floats on top of the water.

Cast it way out there and give it a couple of twitches with the rod tip, and then reel in your slack line.

If you start to do that motion in quick succession, you can get the bait to move from side-to-side called “walking the dog”.

The bass absolutely cannot resist that walking-the-dog action and swim up to the surface and will absolutely hammer it!

The bass find it really hard not to hit a topwater lure like a spook just because it’ll either frustrate them to the point where they’ll just attack it or they just really hungry and will go after moving baitfish.

Normally it’s fished in open water because of the exposed hooks.

The perfect time to catch bass with this bait is in late spring, immediately after they spawn, and throughout the fall, which really means throughout the warmer months of the year.

That isn’t to imply that it won’t catch bass over the winter. It is possible, but there are other baits that are more effective at that time of year.

One of the best producing topwater walking baits has to be the Zera Super Spook

Don’t let its size fool you, bass will not hesitate to destroy it when they are willing to attack a topwater bait!

Read more: Check out all the Zera Super Spook reviews from real Amazon customers! 

Here a list of the top walking baits for you to consider

Hollow Belly Frogs

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There are a plethora of frog imitation on the market, some of which aren’t even frogs.

This category includes ducks, birds, rats, mice, and other critters, and it often refers to a hollow bait with a weedless construction and a double hook.

Booyah Pad Crasher Bullfrog is one lure brand that has worked hard to design lures that fit into this category.

The Pad Crasher Bullfrog is built with a hollow body that’s ideal for fishing it in the slop and weeds.

The bait’s body is constructed to keep it weedless so it can come over and across nasty weeds and floating mats, but soft enough to ensure a strong hookset when a bass hits.

For voracious topwater eaters, this lure mimics a frog’s real-to-life appearance.

A super-strong double hook and durable legs are included.

Read more: Check out all the BOOYAH Pad Crasher Frog reviews from real Amazon customers! 

Here a list of the top hollow belly frogs for you to consider

Vibrating Jigs/ Chatterbait-Style Jigs

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When first released, many thought chatterbaits were just another gimmick like the Banjo minnow; one of those “best bait everyone owns and nobody throws” situations. 

However, when professional bass fishermen started to win tournament after tournament it solidified itself in bass fishing bait history that it’s a proven lure to catch fish year-round.

Being a mix between a spinnerbait, crankbait, and a jig, it gives off a great heavy vibration. 

Choose a 1/2-ounce Z-man Jackhammer Chatterbait and you won’t be disappointed. 

As Brett Hite put it, “Once I put a big swimbait on it, it became more of a square-billed swimbait to me,” with its deflection ability, it definitely has that ability to gain some attention

Read more: Check out all the reviews from real Amazon customers! 

Here a list of the top vibrating jigs for you to consider

Lipless Crankbaits

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Lipless crankbaits don’t have a diving lip, so they sink much faster to get to those strike zones.

You’ll also notice they have a slender design and flat sides.

Another distinctive feature you’ll notice is these baits don’t have a lip (which is common in traditional crankbaits).

Furthermore, rather of being on the nose, the line connection is on the top of the lure.

With all of these features combined, these unique baits display a very different tight vibrating swimming action.

Lipless crankbaits can be fished year around, however bass tend to favor these baits in the fall, winter, and spring.

I strongly recommend fishing the LuckyCraft LV500 lipless crankbait.

The LV series features brass and glass rattles that give bass a different sound than other rattling lures.

The LV500 series will provide rapid water coverage, especially when fish are difficult to find.

The lure can be cast far and retrieved from depths of up to 12-15 feet.

Read more: Check out all the LuckyCraft LV500 reviews from real Amazon customers! 

Here a list of the top lipless crankbait for you to consider

Hard Plastic Swimbaits

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Jointed hard plastic swimbaits offer a lifelike swimming action that causes the lure to swim side to side, provoking predatory fish to strike.

The majority are composed of ABS plastic, which can resist the wear and tear of fighting fish.

The multi-section swimbaits reduce the leverage a bass has when trying to shrug off a full-body bait, which helps to keep them hooked during the struggle.

Bass, yellow perch, walleye, pike, muskie, roach, trout, snook, and salmon can all be caught with these bass fishing lures.

Finally, most swimbaits work well in all water conditions and are suitable for both saltwater and freshwater.

If you’re looking for a good starter swimbait, then I strongly recommend the 3.5 Baby Bull Shad Swimbait.

Mike Bucca and Catch Co created a rock solid partnership and developed and manufactured the Baby Bull Shad Swimbait.

This little 3.5-inch swimbait is slow-sinking, inexpensive, and long-lasting plastic swimbait bass lure that will withstand huge fish for years.

No expensive swimbait rod, reels or any particular equipment required.

This lure has a very realistic swimming action that may be easily imitated by the angler with very little effort.

When compared to most fishing lures, this small swimbait delivers a powerful punch and will help you attract big bass.

Read more: Check out all the reviews from real Amazon customers! 

Here a list of the top hard swimbaits for you to consider

Umbrella Rigs

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Switching to an umbrella rig could be the key to catching more bass.

The umbrella rig is also known as the “A-rig” or “Alabama Rig.” It was used in bass fishing tournaments in 2011 and has since caught on with anglers across the country.

An umbrella rig imitates a small school of fish swimming in unison. The typical umbrella rig has five wires extending from the connection point, allowing you to add five baits.

Using more baits also increases your chances of getting a bite. Umbrella rigs are often set up with one to three hooked baits and the rest being dummy baits. 

The array of baits is easier for bass to detect and more likely to lure them. Going after a small group of fish increases their odds of catching a bite. 

The rig is also visible from a greater distance, helping to draw bass in from further away. 

Many fishermen utilize this multi-lure rig, which has a smaller profile than full-size rigs, with excellent success both in the summer and the winter.

When huge, clunky rigs are avoided, the Yum Yumbrella Flash Mob Junior is extremely efficient. This lure has 5-wire arms which are scaled-down rigged with four spinning blades positioned halfway down its outer arms.

One of the best things is this lure is light enough to be used on any fishing gear that’s in the moderate-to-heavy category and works on almost all predator fish.

Read more: Check out all the reviews from real Amazon customers! 

Here a list of the top umbrella rigs for you to consider

Jerkbaits

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Some of the best wins and biggest fish caught are from fishing jerkbaits for bass… yet no one ever talks about it.  Everyone else likes talking about the latest and greeted lure fad. But truth be told, jerkbaits can catch giant bass in any season, in any condition even in the rain, cold, and snow. However, the optimal time to fish a jerkbait is anytime it’s cool, cold, breezy or windy. 

Our Recommendation

The Megabass Vision 110 jerkbait is one of those lures that every so often comes along that completely changes how we approach a specific technique in bass fishing.  

Despite the ever increasing competition from lure producers from all over the world, the Vision 110 is the lure that everyone else strives to be like or straight up copy.  

This is the best lure the market has to offer and is still one of the greatest jerkbaits available to get the larger fish to bite.

I strongly recommend you invest in at last a couple of Vision 110’s.  To go even further, I recommend Pro Blue in clear water, Elegy Bone in stained water conditions, and finally Kohoku Reaction when it’s stormy out. 

Read more: Check out all the reviews from real Amazon customers! 

Underspin Jigs

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An underspin jig includes a jig head with a hook extending from the back and a swivel on the bottom that connects to a blade. The blade sits below the jig head and spins as it passes through the water. 

While they do not provide as much vibration as a typical spinnerbait, they are compact and offer plenty of flash to get the attention of nearby bass. 

While these jigs are often used in clear water, you can use them in a variety of situations with the right techniques. 

An underspin jig can also cut through weeds, making it excellent for use around the cover. 

Underspin jigs are often used to fish in mid-to-deep water applications and over the tops of trees where the bass would hold in the spring and wintertime. 

Our Recommendation

Our recommendation is the Strike King Tour Grade Spin Head Jighead.  It gets high praises not only because of the natural fish shaped jig head, but also of the bait keeper and the super sharp 4/0 hook. 

It gives off more than enough flash with his unique thin cut Raz-r-Blade willow blade… This means that it spins and flashes even at the slowest of retrieves. 

Even better, they come in a variety of sizes from ⅜ to ¾ in size if you need to target the giant lunkers that hold in 20+ feet of water.

Read more: Check out all the reviews from real Amazon customers! 

Jigging Spoons

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The most common spoon used for winter fishing has to be the jigging spoon 1/2-to-1 1/2-ounce.  Jigging spoons are best used when the bass are lethargic, when post-frontal bluebird sky days, mid-day, days with calm water. 

Jigging spoons are not known for their wide wobble like their flutter spoon sibling, however are known for falling quickly with a very tight shimmy and have a fast fall rate.  

As a result, jigging spoons are meant to be fished vertically and more than likely the bass with strike the spoon on the fall. 

Our Recommendation

The Cotton Cordell jigging spoon is a quality spoon with amazing tight flutter action. 

Whenever there are smaller sized baitfish around the large predator fish will gobble these up year-round.

Being so streamlined these spoons fall quickly. No more waiting 5+ minutes to allow the lure to fall to the correct depth.

Best of all these come 2 per pack!

Recommended colors: Chrome, gold

Read more: Check out all the reviews from real Amazon customers! 

-- Featured Article Of The Month --

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Soft Lures

Stick Worm - Gary Yamamoto Baits Senko Worm

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The term “Senko” has become a general term for a soft plastic stick bait worm. 

In 1997, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits came out with the Senko and changed the fishing industry forever. 

Yes, the Senko worm is hands-down the most common stick bait brand, but more and more makers of stick baits are coming out every day.

Read More: I outline some of the best stick bait brands you may not have heard of… yet!

Senkos not only receive a lot of bites, but they also trigger a lot of BIG bites. It’s the ideal bait for a novice since it can draw in a lot of bass while still allowing you to giant lunker bass. 

If you’re unsure what is a Senko worm and why they’re useful, then read this report first.  Then come back here.

If you know what this bait is, you’ll know these baits are very straightforward to use.  

These Senko worms are commonly regarded as “do nothing” or “dead stick” baits since they have no activity.

But they all have one thing in common: they don’t have tails or appendages to help them move.

They gain their action on the fall.  A Senko will have a subtle shimmy when it’s falling weightless, or when used in a Wacky rig, Texas rig, or Carolina rig.

Most of the time bass will eat your lure as it’s falling in the water. If not, cast it out, count to 30-seconds and wait for it to rest on the bottom. Give a couple more twitches and wait a few more seconds. 

You’ll probably feel a couple of taps on your line, you may even see your line moving away. Then set the hook.

When other lures fail to catch bass, your first option should be a Senko or a stick bait.

Anglers fish these baits several ways. They can be weighted or weightless

And they can be fished using several different techniques. 

Here are only a few ways a Senko can be fished:

By far the most common way to fish a Senko/stick bait is either by Texas rigged or by wacky rig. 

Each technique serves it’s purpose.   Click on the related articles below…

Read more:  How To Fish A Senko Texas Rig (EASY Beginner’s Guide with Pictures)

Read more: Discover The TRUTH About Fishing A Wacky Rig Senko (… Avoid Getting Hung Up!)

Tournaments won using a Senko or Stickbait – 

MLF Pro Jeff McLain, Lake Chickamauga – 2021

FLW Tour Pro Bryan Thrift – 2019

BPS Pro Chris Lane Wins St. Johns River Elite – 2014

Here a list of the top Senko-style baits for you to consider

Floating Straight Worm - Zoom Trick Worm

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If you didn’t know, the trick worm is unique because it’s a beefier sized worm and it floats. 

Largemouth bass go crazy for these plain-vanilla, do-nothing plastic worms. 

When weightless Texas-rigged, they float when using a light-wire gauge hook, and may be fished on or near the surface. 

Alternatively, you can add a small bullet weight (1/16-to-1/8 ounce) and let the worm sink gently into the thick cover. 

The 6-inch watermelon red flake variation is deadly in any season of the year. 

Without a doubt, it’s one of the most popular and adaptable soft-plastic finesse baits on the market.

Here a list of the top floating worm for you to consider

Crawfish Bait - Strike King Rage Craw

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Crawfish are an important source of forage for all bass species, and the location and behavior of the crawfish influence the location and behavior of the bass.

Since crawfish are such a significant source of food and can live in a wide range of environments and habitats, a plethora of lures have been created to mimic the profile, action, and/or color patterns of crawfish. 

Surprisingly, not all crawfish-imitating lures have the same action in the water.

The Strike King Rage Craw has amazing flapping and thumping to grab the attention of any bass in the area.  

Furthermore, when the water is discolored, the larger profile moves more water, making it easier for fish to detect.

The movement of the pincers as the Rage Craw glides through the water will stimulate the interest of any surrounding fish, and the multi-colored baits will almost certainly persuade them to hit it.

Read more: Check out all the reviews for the Strike King Rage Craw from real Amazon customers! 

Here a list of the top crawfish baits for you to consider

Creature Bait - Zoom Brush Hog

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The best way to describe a creature is it’s a bait that imitates a little bit of everything. 

To create their own unique creature that performs a variety of tasks, bait manufacturers have experimented with different body styles, shapes, appendages, and overall action.

One of the best creature baits on the market is the Zoom Brush Hog

Simply put, the Brush Hog can perform in nearly any fishing situation. It catches fish in clear or stained water, and you’ll get bites in both heavy cover and open water.

The Brush Hog may appear out-of-this-world, but once in the water these soft plastic appendages flutter subtly as its being retrieved.  

There’s no such thing as a bad way to fish these little baits. Anglers have used them for years and successfully caught bass using a variety of rigging methods.

A basic Texas rig is one of the most popular for the normal size Brush Hog, and is considered a standard rigging style

The vast majority of anglers believe it’s best to use a 1/4-ounce tungsten worm sinker when casting on open water or light cover.

Without impairing it’s motion, the weight allows the bait to sink gently, yet efficiently to the bottom. 

Bass devour this bait when pitched into cover like trees, submerged brush, chunk rock, grass, and docks.

Don’t be shy to use a heavy 1-ounce flipping weight when flipping and pitching around floating mats, grass, or vegetation.

Read more: Check out all the reviews for the Zoom Brush Hog from real Amazon customers! 

Here a list of the top creature baits for you to consider

Minnow or Fluke

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Fluke fishing for bass is an excellent approach to catch those elusive or pressured bass.

With so many alternative soft plastic jerkbaits on the market these days, the fluke, generally called a “soft plastic jerkbait”, is sometimes forgotten.

The winning bait in this category is the Zoom Super Fluke because of its ideal size and it constantly attracts bites. 

The Super Fluke has a fast lifelike dashing and darting movement and a very modest fall.

On the descent, its tail will quiver like an injured minnow or shad.

The possibilities for fishing a soft plastic jerkbait or fluke are endless.

Offered in a massive amount of colors the Zoom Super Fluke will match any baitfish on your lake.

Read more: Check out all the Zoom Fluke reviews from real Amazon customers! 

Here a list of the top fluke baits for you to consider

Soft Plastic Swimbaits

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When it comes to having the ability to pull bass out of clear water conditions, a swimbait is an essential weapon in your arsenal.

In clear water and when fish are visually oriented for hunting, it’s one of the greatest baitfish imitation products.

Because of its natural appearance and motion, it has a high visual appeal to bass and has the capacity to attract fish from great distances to attack.

Rule of thumb, if you don’t know what size swimbait to use, try your best to match the size and color to the shad on your local lake. 

Read more: Check out all the reviews for The YUM Money Minnow from real Amazon customers! 

Here a list of the top soft plastic swimbaits for you to consider

Finesse Curly Tail Worms

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If you are fishing around cover, and the water is clear to stained, a finesse curly tail worm like the Berkley Powerbait Finesse Curly Tail Worm is excellent for pitching and flipping. The curled tail allows the worm to have a swimming movement as it sinks to the bottom. 

If you lift it a few times and then let it fall, you’ll most likely receive your bites on the way down. 

Most anglers do not swim them, although it does not exclude you from doing so. 

Curly tail worms in the finesse size will work well. For warmer water, remember that baits with undulating tails are ideal.

Read more: Check out all the reviews from real Amazon customers! 

Here a list of the top finesse curly tail worms for you to consider

Large 7-10-inch Ribbon Tail Worm

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Many anglers fear fishing a large worm is just too big for the bass. 

However if it’s hot outside the water temperature also increasess, which speeds up a largemouth’s metabolism and makes them eager to consume a huge dinner.

Casting a huge worm like a Berkley Power Worm to the deepest parts of the pond, lake, or reservoir. Besure to target weedlines, brush piles, or vertical timber in 15 to 25 feet of water.

Be sure to Texas rig the plastic worms because they’ll go through dense underwater vegetation, brush piles, tree branches without being entangled.

The Berkley 10-inch Power Worm offers excellent action, it also has Berkley’s patented PowerBait scent that bass cannot seem to resist.

Read more: Check out all the reviews for the Berkley Power Worm from real Amazon customers! 

Here a list of the top ribbon tail worms for you to consider

French Fry/ Centipede Worm

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These small stickbaits range in length from two and a half to four inches. Because of their modest size, a French fry worm work phenomenally as a mop-up bait.

Meaning going back through an area that you already fished in order to catch a few more bass. 

The buoyancy allows for a slow, horizontal-to- swirling fall and is normally used as a bait for a Carolina rig.

A bait you should consider is the Strike King KVD Opt Supa Fry

In addition, some savvy fishermen started to use these baits as soft plastic jerk bait, wacky rigged on a drop shot set up, or even fished on a Neko rig.

Read more: Check out all the reviews for Strike King KVD Opt Supa Fry from real Amazon customers! 

Here a list of the top centipede for you to consider

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Lizards

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Soft plastic lizards are easily known as the sleeper bait of the bass fishing community. 

Their popularity has dwindled due to the introduction of creature baits. Lizard baits are not as sexy or weird looking as some of the newer creature baits.

But there is a great reason lizards have a history of being one of the most popular soft-plastic baits on the market… They catch big bass – hands down!

Soft plastic lizards like the Zoom Lizard are a little beefier than most soft plastic worms, so they’re ideal for fishing in the shallows without a weight.

Smallmouth and largemouth bass both enjoy eating lizards and salamanders.

When more anglers are throwing creature baits, thread on a lizard instead. Chances are the bass have not seen a lizard bait in a long time.

I prefer the Zoom Lizard because it has a real-to-life lizard body with free-moving legs and curly tail and it’s salt-impregnated

It’s a good fish catcher in all the seasons and can be fished ultra-shallow to super-deep.

Lizards are a great springtime bait, but they can also be used from spring to fall to catch bass.

I think it will get more hits and the fish will hold on longer. 

Lizards are very popular when fished on a Texas rig, Carolina rig, Neko rig and drop shot.

Read more: Check out all the reviews from real Amazon customers! 

Here a list of the top lizards for you to consider

Single Tail Grubs

Click HERE to learn more!

Grubs are soft plastic baits with a short body and wider swimming tail.

The tail produces a large amount of vibration when it’s swimming and can be fished very slowly. 

They’re best suited to conditions with clean, stained, or even dirty water conditions.

Grub lures are especially well-suited to reservoirs with little cover, rocky substrate, or even in lakes with grass flats.

Being incredibly versatile, grubs can be used as a deep-water lure, although they are most commonly used in shallow water less than 12 feet deep.

If you’re looking for a quality grub, then I wholeheartedly recommend the Yamamoto Single Tail Grubs

For good reason, Yamamoto Single Tail Grubs have been a classic bait for years.

They’re one of the most adaptable baits ever invented, and they can be strung in a number of ways to catch fish all year.

Yamamoto Single Tail Grubs have a proven motion that fish can’t pass up, whether you use them alone or as a spinnerbait, buzzbait, or jig trailer.

The 4 inch Single Tail Grub is fantastic for catching a lot of bass, pike, walleye, and other small inshore saltwater fish.

Smallmouth fish prefer smaller grubs, but largemouth fish prefer larger ones.

Read more: Check out all the reviews from real Amazon customers! 

Here a list of the top single tail grubs for you to consider

Tube Baits

Click HERE to learn more!

A standard tube mimics a crawfish, shad, or baitfish.

Tubes are an excellent bait to introduce new bass anglers or even children to since they are simple to fish.

A little 1/8-ounce weighted tube hook is perfect for shallow water fishing for if you’re bed fishing in spring.

The head can be rigged inside or outside the bait.

For starters, if you rig the weighted tube hook internally it will spiral down with a movement unequalled by any other bait. 

However, it’s vital you fish it with light line with slightly bowed slack, especially in clear water conditions.

Conversely, the bait will fall faster if you position the weight outside the head.

If you’re new to fishing tubes, the Strike King Coffee Tube is a great option. 

Most of the time tubes are most commonly used in water less than 12 feet. Interestingly enough tubes may be fished deep on the bottom to investigate structure. 

Lastly, large tubes make a perfect flipping bait when flipped or pitching to heavy cover or grass mats.

Read more: Check out all the reviews from real Amazon customers! 

Here a list of the top tube baits for you to consider

Soft Plastic Toad Baits

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Think “soft buzzbait” when you think of soft plastic body frogs. These are the topwater baits that can go anywhere, do anything, and return back intact.

These lures are excellent for fishing dense mats of vegetation or wide swaths of lily pads.

Another great condition to use a soft plastic frog is when the water on your lake or river is high and has risen into the shoreline grass.

Furthermore, when there is current moving on the outside of the foliage as the summer develops, fishing a soft plastic frog just beyond or parallel to the edge becomes an option.

Bass will also be on the edges seeking for baitfish/bluegills during the low-light hours of the morning and evening.

Topwater frogs can make a lot of commotion and draw out a lot of bone crushing bites. 

A soft plastic frog for bass that makes a ton of gurgling is the Strike King Rage Tail Toad

Built in with extra-large feet it gurgles and splashes even with the slowest of retrieves. 

The Rage Tail Toad works great around brush on windy days and/or if your lake has a stained to dingy water color. 

If your lake is calm or on cooler days a Zoom Horny Toad is an amazing bait. 

You’ll notice the “feet” are significantly smaller and will make less commotion on the water surface. 

Read more: Check out all the Zoom Horny Toad or the Strike King Rage Tail Toad reviews from real Amazon customers! 

Here a list of the top toad baits for you to consider

Technique Specific

Texas Rig

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A Texas rig is a structure specific technique. Meaning, if you see the structure with your eyes or on your sonar you cast your rig to it. 

You may have heard that bass love to position themselves around structure.  And targeting that structure exponentially increases your changes of catching a monster bass. 

And that is where the Texas rig shines.

To execute this technique, you’ll need the following:

  • bullet-shaped weight
  • bead
  • hook
  • worm or other soft plastic bait.

In an ideal situation, you should cast your lure into the water with very little noise as close to the structure as possible.

Allow it to fall with a little bit of slack in the line so it sinks straight to the bottom.

Then drag, pull, or slowly crawl that bait across, over, or through whatever structure you targeted. 

Conversely, since the Texas rig is fished relatively slow, it’s not an effective as a fast moving search bait like crankbaits and spinnerbaits.

Here a list of the top Texas rig lures for you to consider

Here a list of the top Texas rig accessories for you...

Drop Shot Rig

Typically drop shot worms are very soft flexible worms are perfect this application of fishing.

They come in a variety of colors and sizes. Most straight tail drop shot worms are 6-8 inches in length and rarely have a diameter over 1/4 inch.

A really cool aspect of these types of worms is the amount of action you put into the worm you’ll get the same out. Meaning, the if you shake the worm like crazy, it makes the worm looking like it’s freaking out under the water…

But here’s the cool part more anglers don’t know… If you completely dead stick the worm (meaning don’t move your rod tip) the worm will still move!  BUT HOW!!!?  From any subtle current that is moving around your worm. So cool, right?

Since the worms are so soft any current naturally will create movements in the worm, making it look insanely real to the bass. 

Our Recommendation

When someone talks about drop shot fishing baits, the Roboworm Fat Straight Tail Worm is always discussed as one of the premiere options.

The best thing I like about this bait is that it has a slightly larger head than most finesse style worms, yet it still remains incredibly soft.

The belly is embedded with salt. It is said, this is done because salt mimics the salty taste of blood. In turn the bass hang on longer, giving you a better catch ratio.

Even in cold winter time conditions this lure maintains its flexibility.

Best Rigging Option: Nose hooked or Texas rigged style.

Best colors: Aarons Magic, Oxblood Red Flk, Margarita Mutilator, Morning Dawn

Check out these reviews from an actual customers:

Tournaments won using a Roboworm

Aaron Marten, Lake Champlain, 2017

Brent Ehrler, FLW Tour, Lake Hartwell 2012

Brent Ehrler, Bassmaster Elite Series, Forest Wood Cup Champion, 2006

Clifford Pirch, Western FLW Series, Clear Lake, 2009

Clifford Pirch, WON Bass U. S. Open Champion, Lake Mead 2014

Here a list of the top drop shot worms for you to consider

Here a list of the top drop shot rig accessories for you...

Carolina Rig

Click HERE to learn more!

The concept behind fishing a Carolina rig (or C-rig for short) for bass is simple. The C-rig flawlessly retains your lure on or near the bottom of deep water, creates lifelike action, and it can cover a large amount of water in a short period of time. 

The sinker enables you to cast further while also keeping your presentation close to the bottom. 

Set up your Carolina rig and hang on if bass are hunting for a snack near the lake’s bottom and you want to traverse water fast to find them.

To execute this technique, you’ll need the following:

  • bullet-shaped weight
  • bead
  • swivel
  • 24-36 inches of leader line
  • hook
  • worm or other soft plastic bait.

Here a list of the top Carolina rig lures for you to consider

Here a list of the top Carolina rig accessories for you...

Ned Rig

Click HERE to learn more!

This small worm requires a lighter jig head will also slow down it’s descent, giving it an incredibly effective and tantalizing shimmy that will keep the bait in the strike zone for a longer period of time.

On most days I’ve learned to rely on a 1/10th ounce jig head.  However, if the bass are really shallow (especially great during spawn) I will go even lighter such as Ned Rig jig head in a 1/15oz. In the fall when they are a little deeper I will switch to a heavier jig head 1/8- 1/6 ounce.

Our Recommendation

Baits such as Elaztech TRD Worm by Z-Man  are perfect for this because they are made out of floating material, and they are incredibly flexible.

Here a list of the top Ned rig lures for you to consider

Here a list of the top Ned rig accessories for you...

Neko Rig

Click HERE to learn more!

A Neko rig is an amazing soft plastic fishing technique where an angler typically uses a long soft plastic wacky-style worm that is threaded through an o-ring that is positioned at the mid section of the bait. A small weight is then inserted into one side of the bait. A hook is then threaded through the o-ring parallel to the bait.  

I know this may sound a little confusing. I know when I first heard about the Neko rig I was doubtful it would work.  But after reading dozens of articles and watching countless videos I put the Neko rig to the test. 

By golly it works amazing!  I soon realized why numerous professional bass anglers are ditching other finesse techniques and going with the Neko rig.

Our Recommendation

We recommend the Zoom Centipede. The length of these little stickbaits are 4.5  inches, which make them a perfect size for wintertime Neko rig fishing.

On the way down, the buoyancy allows for a slower, more horizontal, and occasionally whirling descent.

Zoom Centipedes are made with ultra fine bait salt to make striking fish hold on longer giving you extra time to set the hook.

The Neko weight will encourage these little baits to stand up on their own even on a slack line.

These are great for clear and semi-stained water conditions.

Here a list of the top Neko rig lures for you to consider

Here a list of the top Neko rig accessories for you...

Mojo Rig

Click HERE to learn more!

The mojo rig is an ultra finesse technique and is best used under extreme circumstances. The mojo rig is often viewed as the technique of last resort. A technique that anglers will use even if bass are not biting a drop shot bait!

If the lake you are fishing just had a storm system blew through the night before and you’re left with a clear, cloudless sky and calm conditions, or if the lake you’re fishing is highly pressured then this is the technique for you.

In its simplest concept the mojo rig lightweight Carolina rig. It’s utilized a weight above the hook with a length of line between them. However, after using this technique over the last five years, I made a modification that uses fewer items, it’s easier to step up, and it’s adjustable.

Here a list of the top Mojo rig lures for you to consider

Here a list of the top Mojo rig accessories for you...

Punching Rig

IG photocred Venom_Lures

Punch rigs are phenomenal weedless bass lures. The rig consists of a heavy flipping weight, a slender bait, paired with a stout heavy-gauge flipping hook.  

Often the weight is pegged close to the hook right behind a plastic or glass bead.

Punching or flipping weights are commonly found in the 1/2 – 2-ounce sizes.  The heavy weight needs to have a enough mass to punch through heavy vegetation. 

Here a list of the top Punching rig lures for you to consider

Here a list of the top Punching rig accessories for you...

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Accessories You’ll Need

Fishing Rod

RodThe popularity of fishing is growing and people are becoming much more conscious of different rods that can help them.

Fishermen want the best technique-specific rod for the money.

Luckily, the report I wrote provides you with detailed information in order for you to make buy the rod for the money, and more importantly which rods to avoid at all costs.

>> What Rods To Use For Bass Fishing? 10 Awesome General Purpose Rods Reviewed

Fishing Reel

Reel – Having the correct reel to match with your rod is just as important.  A good reel should be light and have a buttery smooth drag. There are several great reels on the market, but I recommend the a quality Shimano  baitcasting reel. It’s a great reel packed with great features. So much so that it could easily be priced in the mid $200 range.

>>How To Choose A Great Bass Fishing Reel For The Money [and which to avoid at all costs]

Fishing Line

Fishing Line – Having a good line is just as important as having a good rod. I recommend fishing with a good fluorocarbon line. Furthermore, it’s super sensitive because it has little to no stretch, and underwater it’s invisible to the bass!  If pride or money is on the line I would use Sunline Sniper FC.

>>21 Tips To Choose The Best Fishing Line

Fishing Lures & Baits

Fishing Lures – It’s pretty hard and darn near impossible trying to catch a fish without using some sort of lure or bait.  More importantly these baits you should never forget at home or it could lead to a horrible day on the water

>>5 Bass Fishing Lures You Never Want to Leave At Home

Fish Finder

Finding lunker bass has never been easier when using a fish finding sonar unit.  Packed with additional features to make your day on the water even easier.  Maps that can plan your day or help you find your way back even in the darkest of nights. Bright bold numbers and letters to make reading the maps easy even in the brightest of days, and colors that pop and make it quick and easy to identify fish. 

If you have a boat, kayak, canoe, or float tube, you need a fish finder. 

Here’s our choice for the best fish finder between $299-$800:

Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA SI

It has all the features for any serious fisherman whether you’re an avid weekend warrior, or a tournament angler. This has all the bells and whistles you’re looking for. 

>> Click HERE to Read The Reviews About Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA SI now

Here’s our choice for the best economic fish finder:

Garmin Stryker

While others look for bites, your fishfinder and GPS plotter help you reach your daily limit. You can mark preferred docks, ramps, and hotspots to easily return to them later and even share waypoints.

Click HERE to Read The Reviews About Garmin Stryker now!

Life Vest

According to Statista, “In the United States, 658 people died as a result of boating accidents and 2,641 people were injured in 2021.”

And it gets even worse… The National Safe Boating Council reported, “Where cause of death was known, 81% of fatal boating accident victims drowned.”

And if that’s not enough the incidence of deaths has climbed dramatically in recent years.

So if you’re on the water you NEED to wear your life vest. Protect you, your friends, and your families lives by wearing a life vest every time you’re on the water.

I recommend the ONYX PFD. It’s comfortable for all day use and there is lots of room for the air to move around so you won’t get sweaty.

>>Click HERE to read all the reviews actual customers!

Sunglasses

Sunglasses – Do you find yourself fishing in variable light and water conditions? Fishing in open water? Fishing in the bright hot sun? Then, only to leave the lake with eye strain and a splitting headache?

If so, I strongly recommend investing in a pair of Costa Sun Glasses. Thousands of anglers, charter guides, and tournament professionals put their trust into Costa, and so should you. Here’s why…

Costa’s co-injected bio-based nylon frame material is robust and durable, as well as extremely comfortable to wear for all-day use. TR-90 nylon is an excellent material for sports and performance frames since it is heat and cold-resistant.
Costa builds their glasses with class-leading technology. Their 580G glass lens sets them apart from the competition. These lenses are ideal for long days on the lake or sea since you won’t have to worry about scratches on the lens when you wipe the saltwater off. Needless to say they’re Costa’s most durable lenses.

Anyone who spends time outside, especially on the lake, needs polarized lenses. However, not all polarized sunglasses are the same. Costa is 99.9% polarized, giving it the most effective possible in blocking reflecting glare, and minimizing eye strain and headaches.

>>Click HERE to Read The Reviews On These Costa Sunglasses Right Now!

Drift Sock

Simply speaking, a drift sock (also known as a drift anchor) is like a parachute for the water. It gives you the ability to silently troll without spooking the fish!

Anyone who fishes out of a boat, canoe, kayak, stand up paddle board, or any other type of floating vessel  should have a drift sock ready to use.

In addition to helping you catch more fish, recreational boaters also like to have 1-2 drift socks handy, just in case their motor goes out on them the drift sock will help slow their drift. This could be instrumental to allow rescuers to find that boat quickly and easily.

I strongly recommend the Drift Master Drift Sock by Mythik Outdoors.

The construction is solid. Holding this in your hands gives you the peace of mind this feels durable and dependable.

I love that it’s made from the gorilla-strong “RipStop” high density material, and I like that it’s even paired with the high-density nylon strapping.

It’s 30% stronger than other competitors who use a cheaper version of the RipStop material, so you never have to worry about his ripping.

Looking closely I can see they even triple stitched the high-tension points which is a good feature.

But best part… the Drift Master comes in a complete kit!

So get yours today and don’t leave yourself adrift.

The last thing to note is the Mythik Outdoors Drift Master drift sock kits sell out fast, so make sure you get yours before they’re gone!

>>Click HERE to Read The Reviews On This Drift Sock Today!

Landing Net

Landing Net – As you are reeling in that monster fish, you don’t want to injure yourself or knock the fish off the hook by trying to grab it.

The PLUSINNO floating landing net is designed with foam padding on the hoop and provides buoyancy for fishermen. Now, If the net is dropped or blown overboard, the floating design makes it simple to retrieve – so you won’t have to be concerned about losing it! The rubberized net cannot be snagged. It keeps the fish safe for catch-and-release, and the non-absorbent covering avoids waterlogging and odor absorption in the net.  It’s collapsing design allows for easy storage.

That’s why I recommend a dependable telescopic landing net.

>>Click HERE to Read The Reviews On This Floating Landing Net Today!

Fishing Weight Scale & Culler

Fishing Weight Scale – Whether you’re going to keep your catch or just take a photo of it and brag to your friends it’s important to have an accurate scale. The Rapala Tournament Model Touch Screen Scale makes weighing and logging your catch easier and more convenient. The large digital scale has a lot of functions and is easy to use. simply keep track of your current catch and its place in your overall weight. To see the weight, just suspend the catch from the heavy-duty composite clamp or the accompanying stainless steel hook.  Adding the important details to your catch couldn’t be easier – simply input your catch’s weight and tap on one of the eight storage places. The culling process makes it simple to identify fish that should be released for the greatest overall weight.

I recommend a Rapala Tournament Scale that has a large LED display like this one fishing scale here.

>>Click HERE to Read The Reviews on This Tournament-Grade Fishing Scale & Culling System now!

Citations: 1

My name is George and I'm been fishing my entire life and love all things outdoors. My passion is helping anyone catch more fish. The newest things I've been doing lately is learning how to break down and clean all my reels, teaching my boy how to kayak fish, and bushcraft wilderness survival.