When it comes to bass fishing, the right lure can make all the difference. Whether you’re targeting largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass, choosing the right bait is crucial. Below, we dive into some of the best bass fishing lures of all time, along with detailed descriptions and tips for each one.
Swimbait: The Basstrix Paddle Tail
The Basstrix Paddle Tail swimbait is a top choice for anglers who want to imitate a fleeing baitfish. Its realistic design and lifelike movement make it a go-to lure for catching trophy bass. Whether you’re fishing in clear water or murky conditions, the Basstrix Paddle Tail’s versatility and effectiveness are unmatched.
Robotic Fishing Lure: ODS Lure Brand
In recent years, technology has made its way into the world of fishing, introducing innovative lures that mimic the natural movement of prey more accurately than ever before. One of the standout brands in this category is ODS Lure, known for its cutting-edge robotic fishing lures.
Popper: Fred Arbogast Hula Popper
The Fred Arbogast Hula Popper has been a staple in the tackle boxes of bass anglers for decades. Its unique design creates a popping sound and splash that triggers explosive strikes from bass lurking near the surface. This classic topwater lure is perfect for early morning or late evening fishing.
Explore More Fishing Lures and Activities
If you’re passionate about bass fishing and want to discover more innovative and effective lures, or if you’re interested in other fishing activities and gear, we’ve got you covered. Our comprehensive guides and reviews provide you with all the information you need to enhance your fishing experience.
Tube: Bobby Garland Original Gitzit
The Bobby Garland Original Gitzit is one of the most effective tube baits for bass fishing. Its soft plastic body and hollow interior create a subtle, lifelike action that mimics a crawfish or other small prey. It’s particularly effective when fished around rocky or weedy areas where bass love to hide.
Spoon: Johnson Silver Minnow
The Johnson Silver Minnow is a versatile spoon that has been a favorite among bass anglers for generations. Its weedless design allows it to be fished through heavy cover without getting snagged, making it ideal for targeting bass in thick vegetation. The flash and wobble of the Silver Minnow are irresistible to bass.
Craw: Gene Larew Salt Craw
Craw: Gene Larew Salt Craw
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The Gene Larew Salt Craw is a classic soft plastic crawfish imitation that has been a go-to bait for bass fishermen for years. Its realistic design and salt-infused body make it an excellent choice for flipping and pitching into heavy cover. The Salt Craw is particularly effective during the spring when bass are feeding heavily on crawfish.
Buzzbait: Lunker Lure Buzzer
The Lunker Lure Buzzer is a legendary buzzbait that has been putting big bass in the boat for decades. Its distinctive clacking sound and surface disturbance make it a top choice for fishing in shallow water during the warmer months. The Lunker Lure Buzzer is best used when bass are aggressively feeding on the surface.
Deep Diving Crankbaits: Norman DD 22
The Norman DD 22 is a deep-diving crankbait that is perfect for targeting bass in deeper water. With its ability to reach depths of up to 22 feet, this crankbait is ideal for fishing ledges, drop-offs, and other deep structure where big bass like to hang out. The DD 22’s wide wobble and loud rattles make it highly effective for triggering strikes from bass lurking below.
Lipless Crank: Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap
The Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap is a must-have lipless crankbait for any bass angler. Its tight, vibrating action and loud rattle make it a great choice for covering water quickly and locating active bass. Whether you’re fishing in open water or around grass beds, the Rat-L-Trap is a proven fish catcher.
Hard Jerkbait: Smithwick Rattlin’ Rogue
The Smithwick Rattlin’ Rogue is a top-performing hard jerkbait that excels in cold water conditions. Its suspending design and erratic darting action make it an excellent choice for enticing sluggish bass to strike. The Rattlin’ Rogue is particularly effective during the pre-spawn and post-spawn periods when bass are feeding heavily.
Reviews of Other Jerkbaits
While the Smithwick Rattlin’ Rogue is a standout, there are other jerkbaits worth considering. The Rapala X-Rap and Megabass Vision 110 are two alternatives that offer unique actions and features, catering to different fishing conditions and preferences.
Walking Topwater: Heddon Zara Spook
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The Heddon Zara Spook is the original “walk-the-dog” topwater lure that has been fooling bass for decades. Its side-to-side action mimics a fleeing baitfish, making it irresistible to predatory bass. The Zara Spook is best fished in calm conditions, where its subtle movement can draw explosive strikes.
Scented Plastics: Jelly Worm
The Jelly Worm is one of the oldest and most effective scented plastic worms on the market. Its soft, pliable body and infused scent make it a favorite for fishing slow-moving presentations like Texas rigs and Carolina rigs. The Jelly Worm’s effectiveness has stood the test of time, making it a reliable choice for bass anglers.
Beaver Bait: Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver
The Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver is a popular beaver-style bait that excels in flipping and pitching situations. Its compact design and subtle appendages create a natural, lifelike action that bass find hard to resist. The Sweet Beaver is particularly effective in heavy cover, where its streamlined shape allows it to penetrate dense vegetation.
Drop Shot Worm: Roboworm Straight Worm
The Roboworm Straight Worm is a go-to bait for drop shot fishing, a finesse technique that excels in clear water and tough conditions. Its soft, hand-poured body and natural color patterns make it incredibly lifelike in the water. The Roboworm Straight Worm is ideal for targeting suspended bass or fish holding close to the bottom.
Hollow Frog: Snagproof Frog
The Snagproof Frog is a hollow-bodied topwater frog that is perfect for fishing in heavy vegetation. Its weedless design allows it to be fished through thick mats of grass, lily pads, and other cover where bass love to hide. The Snagproof Frog’s lifelike action and soft body make it a great choice for coaxing bass out of their hiding spots.
Creature Bait: Zoom Brush Hog
The Zoom Brush Hog is a versatile creature bait that excels in a variety of fishing situations. Its unique shape and multiple appendages create a lot of movement in the water, making it an excellent choice for flipping, pitching, and Carolina rigging. The Brush Hog is particularly effective when bass are feeding on larger prey.
Ned Rig: Z-Man TRD
The Z-Man TRD is the quintessential bait for the Ned rig, a finesse technique that has taken the bass fishing world by storm. Its compact size and subtle action make it a great choice for tough conditions or heavily pressured waters. The TRD’s buoyant material ensures that it stands up off the bottom, mimicking a small, defenseless prey.
Topwater Minnow: Rapala Original Floater
The Rapala Original Floater is a classic topwater minnow that has been fooling bass for decades. Its lightweight balsa wood construction gives it a natural, lifelike action that bass find irresistible. The Original Floater is particularly effective in calm, shallow water where its subtle movement can entice big bass to strike.
Vibrating Jig: Rad Lures Chatterbait
The Rad Lures Chatterbait is the original vibrating jig that has become a staple in bass fishing. Its unique design combines the flash of a spinnerbait, the vibration of a crankbait, and the weedless properties of a jig. The Chatterbait is highly effective in a variety of conditions, making it a must-have for any bass angler.
Coldwater Shad Crank: Rapala Shad Rap
The Rapala Shad Rap is a legendary coldwater crankbait that excels when bass are lethargic and hard to catch. Its tight wobble and shad-like profile make it a great choice for slow, steady retrieves in cold water. The Shad Rap is particularly effective when fished around rocky points, ledges, and other structure.
Soft Stickbait: Yamamoto Senko
The Yamamoto Senko is arguably one of the most effective soft stickbaits ever created. Its simple, straight design and soft plastic material give it a unique, subtle action that bass can’t resist. The Senko is incredibly versatile and can be fished in a variety of ways, making it a staple in any bass angler’s arsenal.
Square Bill Crankbait: Fred Young Big O
The Fred Young Big O is a classic square bill crankbait that has been a favorite among bass anglers for years. Its wide wobble and square bill design make it perfect for deflecting off cover and triggering reaction strikes from bass. The Big O is particularly effective when fished around shallow cover, such as rocks, stumps, and laydowns.
Spinnerbait: Zorro Aggitator Spinnerbait
The Zorro Aggitator Spinnerbait is a top-performing spinnerbait that excels in a variety of conditions. Its unique blade design and balanced weight distribution make it a great choice for slow-rolling through deep water or burning over shallow flats. The Aggitator is a reliable lure for both novice and experienced anglers.
Other Spinnerbait Reviews
While the Zorro Aggitator is a standout, there are other spinnerbaits worth considering. The Booyah Blade and Strike King KVD Spinnerbait offer different blade configurations and skirt materials, providing anglers with options to suit different fishing conditions.
Skirted Flipping Jig: The Arkie Jig
The Arkie Jig is a classic skirted flipping jig that has been a favorite among bass anglers for decades. Its wide, flat head design makes it ideal for flipping and pitching into heavy cover. The Arkie Jig’s skirt adds extra movement and bulk, making it an irresistible target for bass.
Our Skirted Jig Reviews
In addition to the Arkie Jig, other skirted jigs like the Strike King Hack Attack Jig and the Booyah Boo Jig offer different head shapes and skirt materials, providing anglers with