The world of bass fishing offers an array of options when it comes to choosing your weapon—the best bass fishing bait that will tempt even the wariest largemouth or smallmouth into biting. Whether you prefer soft plastic baits or opt for hard baits that mimic wounded prey fish, there’s something for every angler’s preference and style.
Popular Types of Bass Fishing Bait
Soft Plastic Baits: Your Secret Weapon for Bass Fishing Success
Today, we’re diving into soft plastic baits, the undisputed Swiss Army knives of any bass fisherman’s tackle box. These versatile lures come in a mind-blowing range of shapes, sizes, and colors, designed to mimic a variety of creatures that bass love to eat.
Imagine this: You cast out a soft plastic worm that wiggles enticingly through the water, its curly tail sending out irresistible vibrations. It looks so real; a bass can’t help but strike! And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Soft plastics come in a vast array of styles to target different bass and fishing conditions:
Soft Plastic Worms
Classic worms come in straight, curly, and even segmented varieties, each with a unique swimming action that caters to different situations. Straight tails offer a subtle, lifelike wiggle that mimics a fleeing worm or leech, perfect for finesse presentations in clear water.
Curly tails, on the other hand, pulsate with a more vigorous wobble, creating vibrations that attract bass from greater distances in murky water or when bass are more active. Segmented worms have a lifelike, segmented body that writhes enticingly in the water, mimicking a distressed baitfish that bass can’t resist.
Crawfish Baits
Crawfish baits are the ultimate impersonators, meticulously crafted to resemble real crawfish down to the finest detail. These soft plastic masterpieces come complete with tiny claws and legs that flutter enticingly in the water as you retrieve them, mimicking the scuttling movements of a live crawfish.
This irresistible action, coupled with the fact that crawfish are a natural food source for bass, makes these baits a surefire way to trigger strikes. Fish them around rocks or vegetation where crawfish naturally hide, and be prepared for an aggressive reaction from bass looking for a meal.
Creature Baits
Don’t be fooled by the name – creature baits are the ultimate shape-shifters of the soft plastic world. These ingenious lures can transform into a wide range of bass prey, from lizards and frogs lurking in the shallows to sculpin hugging the bottom or even baby fish darting erratically through the water column.
Their unique shapes and appendages, like flowing tails, kicking legs, or bulky claws, create a symphony of enticing vibrations and erratic movements. This irresistible combination triggers curiosity and aggression in even the most cautious bass, turning them from passive observers into determined predators.
The Beauty of Soft Plastics:
What truly makes soft plastics so special is their versatility. You can fish them with techniques from slow and subtle presentations to fast retrieves with erratic jerks. They also come in various colors to match water clarities and forage preferences. Whether you’re fishing clear lakes or murky rivers, there’s a perfect soft plastic bait out there waiting to help you catch your next trophy bass.
Here are some bonus tips for using soft plastic baits:
- Match the hatch: Observe what kind of baitfish or critters are present in the water you’re fishing, and choose a plastic bait that imitates them.
- Experiment with retrieves: Don’t be afraid to try different retrieves – slow crawls, erratic jerks, or even letting the bait sit motionless on the bottom can all be effective, depending on the situation.
- Upgrade your hooks: Using a high-quality hook designed for soft plastics will ensure better hook penetration and landing rates.
With a little practice and the right soft plastic baits in your tackle box, you’ll be on your way to unlocking big bass fishing success! So, tie on your favorite soft plastic bait, get out on the water, and experience the thrill of catching a lunker bass!
Hard Baits: Your Arsenal for Triggering Bass Strikes in Every Season
Beyond soft plastics lies another exciting realm of bass fishing weaponry: hard baits. These versatile lures offer a distinct advantage—they can mimic various prey fish and their movements, allowing you to target bass in different situations and water temperatures.
Let’s dive into the three main categories of hard baits and how they can help you reel in your next trophy catch:
Crankbaits: The Champions of Injured Baitfish
Imagine a bass cruising underwater when it spots a crankbait – a hard-bodied lure that resembles a wounded baitfish, struggling desperately to escape.
Crankbaits come in various diving depths, allowing you to target bass at different water levels. As you reel them in, their wobble and erratic deflections off rocks and cover mimic the frantic movements of an injured fish, triggering a primal feeding instinct in the bass that’s hard to resist.
Topwater Lures: Unleashing the Topwater Explosion
There’s nothing quite like the heart-stopping thrill of a topwater strike. These lures create a commotion on the water’s surface, mimicking the frantic splashing of a fleeing baitfish or an injured prey struggling on top. From the sizzling action of a prop bait to the walking and popping motions of other topwater lures, these lures are designed to elicit aggressive reactions from bass lurking just below the surface. Witnessing a bass erupt from the water to engulf a topwater bait is an unmatched fishing experience that will leave you hooked (pun intended!) for life.
Jerkbaits: The Art of the Twitch
When water temperatures drop, and the bass becomes less active, jerk baits come into play. These hard-bodied lures are designed to suspend at various depths, mimicking the erratic movements of a wounded baitfish struggling in cold water. The key to using jerk baits effectively lies in the retrieve. A series of sharp twitches and pauses create a lifelike darting motion that piques the curiosity of the bass and triggers their predatory instincts.
The Beauty of Choice: Soft Plastics vs. Hard Baits
Soft plastics and hard baits are well-deserved in your bass fishing tackle box. Soft plastics excel at finesse presentations and imitate natural prey like worms and crawfish. Creature baits offer incredible versatility for various techniques; on the other hard baits can tell a different story—crankbaits depict injured baitfish diving or deflecting off the cover, topwater create commotion for explosive strikes, and jerk baits mimic cold-water struggles.
Specialized Bass Fishing Baits
Jigs and Trailers: The Versatile Duo
Bass, jigs, and trailers are a winning combination when targeting bass. Jigs are versatile lures, allowing anglers to fish at various depths and cover types. Football jigs, in particular, excel at bottom fishing and imitating crawfish—the preferred bass meal.
With their football-shaped heads and weed guards, these jigs perfectly mimic a crawfish’s scurrying motion, enticing hungry bass lurking near the bottom. On the other hand, swim jigs are the go-to choice for covering water quickly while triggering reaction bites from active bass.
Their streamlined design allows for effortless retrieval through vegetation and around structures. The combination of a jighead with a skirted swimming bait imitates an injured baitfish darting through the water—an irresistible sight for opportunistic predators.
Trailer Options: Enhancing Jig Effectiveness
The trailer you choose can make all the difference in enhancing the effectiveness of your jig presentation. An extensive range of trailer options is available to cater to different fishing conditions and target preferences.
For football jigs imitating crawfish, soft plastic trailers like creature baits or beaver-style baits are commonly used due to their lifelike appendages that mimic crawfish claws or legs. Regarding swimming jigs, paddle-tail trailers offer excellent action in the water as they wiggle side-to-side during retrieval, mimicking fleeing prey.
Additionally, trailers with curly tails provide enticing vibrations that grab the attention of nearby bass. Experimenting with different trailer colors can also be beneficial.
Natural hues such as green pumpkin or brown work well in clear water conditions when trying to imitate natural prey. In contrast, brighter colors like chartreuse or white can be effective in murkier water or when you need to create a more visible, attention-grabbing presentation.
Spinnerbaits: Blades and Skirts
Willow Leaf Blades vs Colorado Blades: Understanding Blade Types
Spinnerbaits are another popular choice among bass anglers, thanks to their ability to cover large water areas efficiently. These lures consist of a lead head, a flexible wire arm, one or more spinner blades, and a skirt that mimics baitfish or other forage. Understanding the different types of spinnerbait blades is crucial for maximizing your success on the water.
Willow leaf blades are long and slender, producing a fast-rolling action. They are excellent for imitating shad or other elongated baitfish species.
The narrow profile enables them to swiftly cut through the water, making them ideal for fishing in clearer conditions and targeting active fish. On the other hand, Colorado blades are rounder and wider than their willow leaf counterparts.
The broader design creates more water resistance and slower rotation. This blade style produces stronger vibrations and displaces more water, which can be advantageous in murkier waters or when bass requires a more significant stimulus to strike.
Skirt Colors and Patterns: Factors influencing Spinnerbait Success
The color and pattern of the skirt on your spinnerbait can greatly influence its overall effectiveness. Choosing skirt colors that match the prevalent forage in your fishing area is important. Natural hues such as white, chartreuse, or shad patterns work well in most situations since they mimic common baitfish species.
However, don’t be afraid to experiment with contrasting colors or flashy patterns that trigger aggressive responses from bass looking for an easy meal. Bass are known for their curiosity and propensity to strike at anything they perceive as vulnerable or potentially threatening—sometimes even attracted by vibrant shades like fluorescent orange or pink.
Remember, the best bait for bass fishing is often a combination of factors, including blade type, skirt color, and presentation style. Pay attention to your fishing conditions and adapt accordingly to entice that elusive bass into striking your spinner bait with ferocity.
Lesser-Known Bass Fishing Baits
Finesse Baits
Finesse baits can often make a significant difference when fooling those cunning bass. These smaller and more subtle offerings require a delicate touch but can yield impressive results when the fish are finicky or experiencing high fishing pressure. Let’s explore a few finesse baits that have proven their worth on the water.
Ned Rigs: Compact, Subtle Presentation for Pressured Fish
The Ned Rig, named after renowned angler Ned Kehde, has garnered immense popularity recently due to its ability to entice sluggish or pressured bass into biting. This finesse technique pairs a small mushroom-shaped jig head with a soft plastic stick bait or worm. The bait’s compact size and natural action make it an irresistible choice for bass that are wary of larger offerings. Slowly dragging or hopping the bait along the bottom can trigger strikes even when other tactics fail.
Drop Shot Rigs: Vertical Finesse Technique with Various Bait Options
For anglers seeking versatility and precision, drop shot rigs offer an excellent option for targeting bass suspended in deeper water columns or around cover. This finesse technique involves tying a hook above a weight on your line, leaving some slack between them to allow the soft plastic bait to float enticingly above the bottom. Popular choices for drop shot baits include slender worms, minnow imitations, and finesse-style creature baits. With precise control over depth and presentation, drop shot rigs are highly effective in tempting otherwise elusive bass into striking.
Wacky Rigs: Unconventional Yet Effective Approach to Enticing Strikes
Sometimes, taking an unconventional approach is key to unlocking success on the water, and that’s precisely what the wacky rig offers. This finesse technique involves hooking a soft plastic stick bait or worm through its center, creating a unique presentation where both ends wiggle enticingly in the water. The wacky rig’s unconventional action often triggers aggressive strikes from curious bass, making it an excellent choice when the fish are less active. Cast near cover or structure, and allow the bait to sink slowly while giving it subtle twitches or short hops to imitate wounded prey.
Conclusion
By exploring the world of lesser-known bass fishing baits, you can expand your angling arsenal and gain an edge over other anglers on the water. Finesse baits like Ned Rigs, drop shot rigs, and wacky rigs offer unique presentations that can entice even the most cautious bass into biting. Experiment with different techniques and adapt to water conditions and fish behavior. While popular baits have their place, sometimes thinking outside the box will yield remarkable results. So grab your gear, try these finesse baits, and prepare for some exhilarating bass fishing action!
