bass fishing tips

When it comes to bass fishing, whether the target is large or small mouth bass, what are the best bass baits available to anglers? In this article this question will be explored and some of the most effective baits for bass fishing will be outlined. These baits are certainly not the be all end all when it comes to bass baits, but they should certainly be a part of any serious anglers repertoire.

If any of the below baits aren't in your tackle box I would suggest adding them sooner, rather than later. Along with these baits, it's important to remember that there is no "bait" that will help you catch bass like spending time on the water fishing. There is simply no substitute for experience, when it comes to fishing so the more time you can spend on the water, the more successful you will become.

In any case, let's get down to business, shall we?

Top Water Baits - Both major species of bass (largemouth and smallmouth) are voracious feeders and are susceptible to top water baits. Top water baits are best employed in shallow water during early morning and late evening periods when wind is minimal. Catching bass on top water baits is extremely exciting and in my opinion as enjoyable as fishing gets. Attempting to 'set the hooks' too soon is a mistake many bass fisherman make, so being patient after a strike is key. Some of the more effective top water baits would include: Zara Spooks and Pop-R's.


Soft Plastics - Soft plastics such as plastic worms have long been known as effective bass baits for largemouth bass and twister grubs for smallmouth bass. Soft plastics are certainly among the most effective baits when it comes to bass fishing. Many manufactures are now manufacturing soft plastics out of biodegradable materials and impregnating them with fish catching scents to make them more lifelike. These softy baits are even more effective bass baits. Some of these soft baits would include: Berkley's Gulp and Power soft baits.


Crank Baits - There are many different types of crank baits on the market, but more the most part these baits imitate bait fish and have their place among the most effective bass baits. Many bass anglers fish crank baits exclusively. Some of the most effective crank bait choices would include: Floating Rapala's (which can also be used as top water baits) and KickTail Minnows.


Live Baits - Many bass anglers forget about live bait when it comes to bass fishing and this is a mistake. Live baits such as minnows, mud puppies, and sunfish are extremely effective bass baits. Live worms even have their place when it comes to bass fishing, especially in river and stream situations. Remember, smallmouth bass are often found in the flowing waters of rivers and streams and a live worm in these situations can be great bass bait. The bottom line is that live baits have their place among the most effective bass baits.

All of these bass baits are effective choices when it comes to bass fishing and should be a part of your bass fishing repertoire. They all have their place in various bass fishing situations and are certainly among the most effective baits for bass fishing.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 25 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his five year old daughter in the heart of fishing country.

Effective Largemouth Bass Baits - http://www.jrwfishing.com/LargemouthBassBait.htm.

Bass fishing with topwater baits is without a doubt the most fun you can have fishing for large or smallmouth bass. People watch these bass tournaments on the tube and see all these pros using plastic and spinner baits jigs and crankbaits, forget about the fun and excitement you get with topwater baits. Topwater baits create great action and stories to pass on to family and fishing friends.

Bass fishing with topwater baits is without a doubt the most fun you can have fishing for large or smallmouth bass. People watch these bass tournaments on the tube and see all these pros using plastic and spinner baits jigs and crankbaits, forget about the fun and excitement you get with topwater baits. Topwater baits create great action and stories to pass on to family and fishing friends.

The best time I find for topwater bass fishing is in summer, the colder the water the slower the response, and the more you have to work that bait. Early morning and evening are best for topwater bass fishing.

Of course weather effects your choice of lures also, on a bright sunny day it is better to have a light wind to go with it, a bit of a chop makes the bass less spooky. On a calm sunny day use a heavier lure and lighter line for longer casts. Bass tend to become real spooky in calm and clear water, so the further the cast from you the better off you'll be.

Wind can also change the type of topwater bait you can use I believe that when the wind comes up you should use a smaller bait that makes a lot of noise. The larger baits just plow through the chop, while the smaller baits ride the chop and still make that enticing noise to get the strike you want. Also try to fish through the troughs created by the wind.

Bass fishing topwater baits has some of it's own quirks you want to be able to make pinpoint casts to cover areas and make a clear retrieve. Most of your topwater bass fishing will be done in shallow water over weed beds, flats and around objects and shoreline cover. The majority of bass population remains in shallow water all summer.

To fish bass with topwater baits cast about a foot or two past your target and bring it as close to the cover as possible. If you do not get a strike after the first few feet reel in and try again and make another cast. Fishing cover like this there is no need to reel the bait all the way to the boat. Work the bait slowly to get that strike from the bass that is hiding in the shadows and under cover. Have patience when fishing topwater baits, let the ripples disapear, and let the bait sit a few seconds before you make you retrieve.

When the bass strikes a topwater bait, wait till you feel the fish before you set the hook. If you try to set that hook when you first see the strike you'll miss more than you will catch. I can't count the times that lure has been nocked back towards me by the bass striking that topwater bait.

Now for some of the most popular baits, Poppers are among the oldest of topwater bass fishing lures. They have the dished out face with the line tie in the middle. When retrieved they make a slash noise or "bloop" when popped. Poppers work best in warm, calm, shallow, clear water. You get your action from the rod tip not reeling. The harder you snap the bait the more noise and commotion created.

Stickbaits are rounded, hot-dog shaped lures usually plastic or wood. weighted to float nose up. The only action they have is what the angler ads to make them work. These baits have appeal for big bass, just using the jerk, then real up slack and jerking again produces a good eratic side to side motion that gets lots of attention from bass.

Propbaits are cigar shaped and fitted with propellers on one or both ends. Propbaits can be worked fast or slow, quiet or loud, but stop and go retrieves are best. The bass will let you know what is best so vary your retrieve. Be sure to experiment, propbaits are dynamite around sunken logs, lily pads, and shallow cover. Be sure the blades on the lure run freely,

Wobblers and Crawlers, these baits are particularly best at night or early morning, Examples of these are the Jitterbug or the Crazy Crawler. They make a loud plopping sound when retrieved steadily. Use a steady slow retrieve for the best results with this bass bait.

Buzzbaits are a little like spinnerbaits desingned to be fished on the surface. There are two types, the opposite wire types, with the blade above the hook, and the inline type with everything on one shaft. Excellent for clear water, and pick up less weeds. Again experiment with your working of this bait, twitching and vary speeds to create different noises.

Weedless Spoons are also in this category, designed to be fished in dense cover, either through the thickest weeds, lily pads, or grass. They go through the toughest cover you can find. Fishing with weedless spoons for bass you will want to be using heavy fishing tackle, rods and reels. I like to point my rod tip at the lure on my retrieve, and again here be patient and allow the bass to take the lure.

Now just remember, get out there enjoy nature, fresh air and let's go fishing. When using these tips you will improve your results and of course have more fun.

Jack Phillips has been fishing Canada coast to coast for over 50 years. Fishing fun provides solid advice for walleye, bass fishing, pike, muskie, a variety of trout and more. Ideas on when and where to go on your next trip to Canada. Ice fishing tips. Delicious fish recipes to boot!