How to Choose a Lure for Bass Fishing

Lures come in several different colors, shapes, and sizes, and they are an essential part of any bass fishing expenditure. Therefore, if you are going to have any fishing success, then you should be very savvy about how to choose a lure for bass fishing.

How to Choose a Lure for Bass Fishing

Whether you are a new angler trying out bass fishing for the first time, or you are an experienced one trying to get back into fishing after a long period of absence, there are several common challenges that you are bound to face while bass fishing. Top amongst these challenges is which lure to use to catch more fish.

Choosing a lure is a challenge because there are thousands of lures available in the market today, all of which appeal to fish differently. While there are several factors that should influence your decision, you will find that all of them revolve around the following:

• The season and the weather
• The characteristics of the water body you are fishing in

Now, let’s discuss how to choose a lure for bass fishing in detail:

Bass Food

The very first thing to consider when choosing a lure for bass fishing is the kind of food the bass fish in your fishing environment eat. Bass are known to eat lots of forage, including frogs, insects, crayfish, lizards, snakes, worms, minnows, and sometimes, even smaller bass.

Bass foods differ from location to location, depending on the availability of the food. For instance, if a water body has more frogs than crayfish, then the bass fish in that water body is more likely to eat frogs than crayfish. Hence, throwing a frog-shaped lure in that water would increase your chances of getting a bite.

If you can, try to find out what bass fish in a certain area eat before fishing for them in that area. Many public lakes provide information about the type of food their predator fishes consume, and so carrying out some research could equip you with all you need to know.

Time of the Year

Seasonal changes are another thing to consider when choosing a lure because they are a major influence on the periodic actions and feeding habits of bass. Here is a breakdown of bass habits in different periods within the year:

• Summer – Bass mostly only come out to the shallow parts of the water to feed early during the day, and then spend the rest of the day in deep waters to escape the heat
• Fall – Bass can be found migrating from deep to shallow waters and they feed more heavily during this period in preparation for winter
• Winter – Bass mostly do nothing during this period. They are much slower and their feeding declines considerably
• Spring – Bass begin to get more active and begin to move from the depths they maintained during winter to warmer and shallower waters

Understanding bass activities in the different seasons of the year would help you know what lures to use to catch lots of fish. For instance, during early spring, bass is mostly closer to the banks, so surface lures or crankbaits would be more efficient, as opposed to jigs which are better during winter because of the fish depth.

Weather Changes

In cold weather, bass is known to become way less active. They become very slow and do not consume as much food as they usually do. As a result, when fishing for them in the cold, you should make use of lures that are slow, quiet, and very tempting.

However, in normal or warm weather, bass fish get very active and have a larger appetite. This means that they are more likely to chase and attack prey. In weathers like this, you can make use of quick and loud lures, and be sure to get your desired results.

Wind Pressure

When fishing on a windy day, it is best to make use of a lure that makes a lot of vibrations and loud movement in the water. This is to ensure that your prey can hear the sound of the lure above the turbulence in the water caused by the wind.

If it is a calm day, however, bass are more likely to notice your lure from a distance without any difficulties. Hence, it is best to make use of a quieter lure, as one that is too noisy might scare bass away.

Water Clarity

Water clarity could differ from cloudy to transparent due to several factors, including rain, erosion, and suspended sediments. The clearer a water body is, the easier it is for bass to see lures, and the cloudier it is, the harder it is for bass to see.

When fishing in cloudy water, it is best to make use of lures with bright and more pronounced colors such as yellow, orange, chartreuse, and black, to ensure that they are well visible to bass. In clear water, however, you should go for lures that have natural and less obvious colors, such as blue, white, or green.

Types of Lures for Bass Fishing

The more you know about the different types of lures and their uses, the easier it will be for you to select the right ones to use when fishing. Here is a look at the different types of lures that are best suitable for bass fishing.

Natural Baits

Bass have some favorite prey that you can use as natural bait. Some excellent baits include crayfish, night crawlers, frogs, and bluegills, among others. These baits are irresistible to bass and when presented right, guarantee a sure bite. Also, these baits can be caught easily as well.

Crankbaits

Crankbaits are one of the most common types of lures, because of how easy and effective they are to use. They are a great option if you are looking to cover a large expanse of water in a short time. They are also very effective to use in water covered with grass, woods, rocks, gravel, mud, or clay.

Crankbaits are best used in depths between 2 and 25 feet. An additional plus is that they are a simple and easy option for novices because they are highly likely to catch a fish, no matter where they are thrown.

Jigs

Jigs are best used when fishing in close contact with covers. This implies that the best place to use a jig is in an area that has a lot of grass and other top vegetation. Although they can be used all year round, their best seasons are spring and summer.

Jigs work better when fished slowly and can be used in either shallow or deep water. They are mainly designed to catch big fish like largemouth bass, and so should be combined with a heavy rod to ensure easier casting and pulling.

Spinnerbaits

Spinnerbaits are one of the best lures for fishing bass because they are so versatile, appearing in different colors and blade shapes, including Colorado, Indiana, and willow leaf. They can also be used all year round in shallow, deep, clear, or cloudy water.

Spinnerbaits are very quiet, making them great for fishing bass, especially the bigger ones which are known to be very cautious and sensitive. They are also resistant to snagging, making them good for fishing in covers.

Topwater Lures

As the name implies, topwater lures work from the surface of the water, making use of jerks and twitches to attract their prey. They are best used in dark, calm waters to increase your chances of getting a bite. They also give you a chance to witness fish strikes on the lure, thus making them very exciting to use.

Related Questions

What Lures Attract Bass the Most?

The lures that attract bass the most include crankbaits, plastic worms, jigs, and spinnerbaits. Several kinds of lures are available for fishing bass, and the best one to use would depend on different factors, such as the ones mentioned above.

Conclusion

The importance of making the right choice of a lure when bass fishing cannot be overemphasized, as it determines the success of any fishing expedition. Above, I have discussed in detail the different factors that should be considered before making a choice, and I am confident that the tips provided will help you make the right choice.