Best Bait for Bass Review For All Season

What Type of Bait Should You Use For Bass Fishing?

This is a very common question that, unfortunately, doesn't have one clear answer. The reason for this is because the bait not only depends on what type of fish you're after but also when and where you are fishing.

Different types of fish will typically prefer particular types of bait, but the way they are interacting with their environment will also affect the bait selection. For example, fishing in shallow depths of light grassy vegetation may require one type of bait or lure, while fishing deeper waters near drops and ledges may require another.

Another factor that can affect the type of bait is the season. This doesn't just mean Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter, but also refers to major time points within a fish's year. For example, bass typically spawns in the Spring, and their behavior during the pre-spawn phase is actually quite different from their behavior post-spawn.

While there are definitely some types of best bait for bass available that are generally more reliable for fishing bass, the bait selection on any given day will depend on the factors of the local environment. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to review some of the best bait and lures for bass from the standpoint of reliability and chances of success, or in other words, the "Can't-go-wrong" bait. 

Best Bait For Bass Reviews

Check out our reviews of some of the best and most popular lures for bass. These won't necessarily work in every single situation, but they are the robust and reliable lures for bass fishing that are a good idea to keep in the tackle box. Don't forget that you can usually find many different variations of the same lure, whether it's differing in size, weight, or color, so you should be able to find something that works well for your needs. Additionally, below the table, we will also discuss some of the characteristics of each lure and how they affect the function of the lure.

When to Use Crankbaits for Fishing Bass

Crankbaits are awesome in the sense that you can't really go wrong. They're super versatile, tried and proven, and there's lots of variety for you to cater the contents of your tackle box to the waters and species that you're fishing. There are some times when they are extra effective though, and different styles could be better suited for different situations, so we'll outline some of those below.

Crankbaits are an excellent choice if you want to cover a large range fairly quickly. Even the lightweight crankbaits are very castable. We would recommend lightweight crankbait lures for shallow water and heavier crankbait lures for deeper water. The heavier ones should be retrieved more slowly than when using lighter lures in shallower water.

Another prominent aspect of crankbaits are the lips. Some come with lips, while other don't, and the length of the lip will help determine how deep it can dive. Crankbaits with longer lips will be able to achieve greater depths than short-lipped crankbaits. If you're fishing in relatively shallow water, especially around solid objects like stumps or rocks, then we would recommend a lipped crankbait, likely with a shorter lip if you're in shallow water. This will help the lure bump off the objects which can help entice the bass.

Which crankbait you choose will also depend on how much wobble you want. The wobble in a crankbait is mainly caused by the lip and asymmetrical action of the retrieval. Wider lips will cause a wider stronger wobble, whereas narrow lips will provide a more linear action. The body of the crankbait can also affect this, with rounder bodies typically causing a little more wobble. A more pronounced wobble is good for fishing in warm waters or other times when the bass are more active, such as during pre-spawn season. Tighter wobbles are better in cold water or when the bass are behaving more lethargic.

Look out for crankbaits that have a a couple different holes or clips near the top of the lure. This can help you further customize the wobble to your needs. ​In terms of color, we recommend keeping it simple. Brighter isn't always better. We find that shad color schemes seem to be quite reliable.

For more information about how to select the proper crankbait and tips for retrieval techniques, please click here. ​

When to Use Spinnerbait for Fishing Bass

Similar to crankbaits, spinnerbaits have excellent range and can be retrieved fairly quickly, making it a great option as a starter lure if you are testing the waters. Also like crankbaits, the variety is crazy, and there's many different characteristics you can adjust to further refine your selection based on your needs.

One huge advantage to spinnerbaits is that they are better in heavy cover, especially the ones designed to be weedless. This doesn't mean they're absolutely immune to snags, but it definitely is a step up from completely exposed hooks. The one downside is it may be harder to set the hook, but you could also view that as a great way to work on technique.

​Spinnerbaits will come with "blades", which are the smaller metal pieces away from the head/hook part. These blades offer a nice way to address current water conditions, the only problem being it's not overly intuitive. The general consensus here is to use a Colorado blade when the water appears a bit murkier, a leaf blade in clearer water with fast retrieval, and an Indiana blade for what is basically a mid-point between the previous two.

Overall, we would recommend spinnerbaits pretty much any given day, but especially when you want to cover a range and/or are fishing in heavy cover. Like crankbaits, go with simple colors, unless the water is really murky, in which case you may want to use something a little brighter.

Spinnerbaits have a few different components to them that are hgihly adjustable (e.g. switching out blades to a different type). However, people don't find out new great ways of catching bass without experimenting and trying some things first. Check out the video below from Kickin' Their Bass TV for some innovative ways to improve your odds of catching a beautiful bass! Also, if you would like some more information about how to properly use spinnerbait lures, please click here.

When to Use Jigs for Fishing Bass

While crankbaits and spinnerbaits can often be similar in purpose and technique, jigs are way different. If you want to cover a large range and have a fast retrieval, don't use jigs. Jigs are better for vertical movement and extremely helpful when targeting big bass in heavy cover, but the trade-off is more emphasis is placed on the actual retrieval technique.

We will leave the specifics on how to use jigs for another article, but we do need to briefly explain a little bit in order to tie things together. Jigs are very lightweight lures that aren't very castable, but that's not a problem. Given these are great for heavy cover, you will instead want a very short cast or a "drop-in" where you allow the jig to sink to the bottom. Then upon retrieval, gently pull the rod from the horizontal position to a near vertical position, pulling the lure up, and then allowing it to drop again, just not all the way to the bottom (so reel in when you have some slack).

Given this very brief overview of the general technique for using jigs, you may be able to tell that they are way better in situations with thick grass, other vegetation, stumps, etc, than out in the open with long casts. While these environments definitely do lend themselves to a higher risk of snags, most jigs have some sort of protection that helps to counteract that. In any case, it's a good idea to have at least a few in the tackle box, as it wouldn't be surprising to lose one.

For more information about jigs and how to properly work a jig, please click here.

When to Use Topwater Lures for Fishing Bass

Topwater lures are an effective way to fish bass, but compared to crankbaits or spinnerbaits, they may be a little more hit-and-miss. There is a huge variety in top water lures, but they are generally very castable and usually lots of fun to use. Most have a design or added moving component that stirs up the surface water, mimicking easy prey for bass.

These lures can work any season or time of day, but I have personally found them a little better early in the morning or a little bit before sunset. Near topwater vegetation is helpful too, as they will more closely mimic the prey that are found in that area. Also remember that fish have to come to the surface to bite these guys, so it's ideal if they're in a more active state. While I'm not 100% confident about the following statement, I would potentially avoid starting with a topwater lure at the start of post-spawn season when the bass are a little more lethargic.

One other time you may want to try topwater lures is simply if you want to mix things up and have a bit of fun. Topwater lures are fun to use because they require a little more erratic movement, usually a zig-zig pattern on retrieval or something similar. You can see them the whole way, and usually when the bass bite they don't just come up for a little nibble, but they will likely jump as well, adding a bit of flare to the fight. Torpedo lures (a type of prop bait) have been my favorite.

For more information about properly selecting and working topwater lures, please click here.

When to Use Plastic Worms for Fishing Bass

I find PowerBait worms extremely useful when fishing bass any time of year. Many anglers have said that they shouldn't be used during pre-spawn when the bass are really active, but I don't know about that. I find pre-spawn bass to go for any bait if you add a little more movement, but maybe I've just been lucky.

Otherwise, PowerBait worms are quite versatile. The retrieval technique you use is a cross between what you would use for a crankbait and what you would use for a jig. A far cast is nice, but you will want to tlet the bait sink a bit and have intermittent retrieval rather than a fast smooth reel.

I have found them to be most effective around areas with vegetation, but where I can still allow the worm to hit the bottom. If I'm a little more aggressive I may venture into slightly heavier cover, but I find I usually lose a lot of worms this way. It's not a huge deal because you can often get packs of them for really cheap, but simply put, it's a pain in the ass.

One more time you may want to use them is if you're having a bit of trouble to begin with, or your other lures aren't really suitable for the situation either in terms of design or color. PowerBait worms have an embedded scent that attracts the fish, so it's a bonus in that regard. In terms of color, again, keep it simple. The pumpkin color scheme of the PowerBait worm featured above is a good choice. In the past I have also found success with worms that have a black body and green tail.

Overall, PowerBait worms may not be the first choice in every situation, but they are still really versatile and reliable. Also, the fact that they're cheap means you can get lots of different types to optimize your tackle box for different situations. They're also simple, easy to use, and it's not as defeating when you lose one.

What About Live Bait for Bass Fishing?

Live bait is always a great idea if you want to maximize your chances of success. They are natural prey that obviously can't get much more realistic, they contain a distinctive scent that bass will recognize as prey, and depending on where you get the live bait, it could be free!

​The main drawback in this case is the practicality. Live bait generally isn't preserved, so you may find yourself having to constantly buy it or hunt it (the latter can be kind of fun in itself though). Also, similar to artificial bait, live bait requires proper technique in order to maximize success. Different baits will require different techniques, but learning these techniques are also a great way to learn about the ins-and-outs of fishing bass.

We will outline some of our favorite live bait for fishing bass below. There's a multitude of bait you can choose from, but the following should cover all your bases, at least as a starting point.

Worms/Nightcrawlers

I've always found worms to be decent for fishing bass, just not really as fun as using a lure, not always as effective (but still pretty good), and you obviously have to catch or buy some first.

We recognize it may be a little odd to get into different types of worms, but I've actually found nightcrawlers to be great for fishing bass. Nightcrawlers are massive earth worms that get their name from their tendency to come above ground during the night. As a kid, I used to go out and catch the on the lawn, and I could easily wrack up a good-sized Tupperware container's worth in one night. Even more, you can get a little greasy and sell them. I would often keep a few, and then go down to the lake and sell the rest to the anglers there!

The big limitation with nightcrawlers is they are usually found in the northern states as well as Canada, so not everyone has access. However, if you do live somewhere where nightcrawlers reside, I would suggest going out on the lawn with a flashlight one Spring or Summer night. You need to be quick and sneaky to catch them, but it's like riding a bike. Once you catch one, the rest are easy.

Minnows

These are a little more standard. Rather than catching them, the easiest thing to do is just go to the best bait for bass store, but if you're out in the wild you can sieve for them in small creeks and streams as well, but it's a bit more time consuming and not as guaranteed as an over-the-counter purchase.

Given minnows resemble plastic worms (or the other way around), I usually use them like I would a PowerBait worm, but many different techniques can employed. Whether your jigging, or using like a crankbait near the bottom and bumping off objects (both more snag-prone), they are very effective. Just make sure to replace them on the hook every now and then, as they should mimic live healthy minnows. Minnows are extra effective around the shore and in shallow water.

Shad

If minnows are extra good around the shore, you could consider shad the equivalent, but for deeper water. You may be able to find them in bait stores, but you can also catch them on your own using a casting net near coves and other somewhat secluded and still waters.

If you think that it's just too impractical to keep a stock of shad for your bait, lots of lures come in a has color-scheme and design. For example, the pack of crankbait that we featured above has one with a shad color scheme that lots of people have found to be very effective. 

Good Luck!

Hopefully, this article has helped guide you in your choices for bass lures and best bait for bass. What works for one angler may not necessarily work for another angler, especially in different bodies of water, so if you have something you found extra effective for bass fishing or have any other questions or comments, please let us know!