All About Bass Fishing - Guide To Choosing the Right Lures

Lure selection should first be based on the type of cover you are fishing. Positioning of the bass within the cover should also be considered. Use a lure that effectively gets to the bass and allows you to cover the water productively. Live bait is generally best suited for areas with limited cover.

3 Most Important Factors About Choosing the Right Lures & Bait

First choose a bait that will effectively and efficiently fish the water and cover.
Second, match your lure to the natural foods bass are feeding on.
Test presentations of the lure or bait to see which method attracts the most strikes.

Lure choice is about efficiency.

Many bass anglers make the mistake of selecting lures based on fishing reports from other anglers. At times this can be a help and other times it is a hindrance. Always use a variety of lures to locate the bass first, then determine which lure or lures will cover the water the most effectively.

First, let the lake tell you what type of lure to use based on the amount and thickness of cover. Once you determine which type of lure to use, select size and colors to match the food source in the area.

Any time you have the option, start with a top water bait. A buzzbait may be the most productive lure in your box when bass are willing to take it. At times bass will come to the surface but prefer a slower, quieter top water lure. If the bass won’t take a surface lure try spinnerbaits or crankbaits depending of the cover. If you have to deeper or slower, switch to jigs, worms, spoons or swim baits.

When fishing heavy brush your lure must be able to go over, around or through the thick brush. Choose top water baits that will not get hung in the branches protruding above the water. Buzzbaits, weedless frogs and other weedless top water lures work well in these conditions. If the bass are not rising to the surface, a spinnerbait is an ideal selection to work around and through branches of the brush. Weedless jigs and worms can be worked deeper into the brush for bass reluctant to come out of the brush to strike. Flukes and Senkos can also be fished around heavy brush.

When fishing structure, always opt for open-hook lures unless the cover does not allow it. Jigs, spoons, swim baits and worms are good choices for structure with limited cover. If brush is present you may be forced to switch to weedless lures. If the fishing is slow and you know bass are holding on structure, drop shot fishing will often get inactive bass to bite.

See details throughout this website for how to fish these different lures, at different depths.