Fishing Guide

From the east coast of the United States to the west coast, sport fishing for bass is one of the most enjoyed summertime sporting events. Professionals and amateurs enter tournaments as well as simply having a bass fishing weekend or go on daily trips to a favorite lake.

In addition to being a very popular sporting event, bass fishing is also considered an art. For success, it is critical to choose the best bass fishing lures to use by thinking about the behavior of the fish, water temperature, water conditions and seasonal movements.

In any region where bass exist, there are many types of freshwater bass fishing lures that are used. This is because there are many types of bass, including large and small-mouthed bass, spotted, stripped, peacock, and white bass. Each of these varieties requires using a different type and size lure. Following are the most common bass fishing lures:

Swimbaits - these bass baits are streamlined and sectioned throughout the body to produce an almost exact duplicate of a minnow’s swimming movement. They are colored like the bait fish in the area; and, on the whole, the shad colors are the most popular. The swimbait can harbor one single hook, a treble hook or a series of hooks.

Crankbait - these bass fishing lures may be used at any water depth including deep, mid-level, or very close to the surface. Crankbaits may possess a lip or can be lipless, depending on the depth at which they are used and the action that the fisherman desires to get from it. Crankbaits are usually shaped like thick minnows and they cause the fish to become attracted when they move through the water while the lure is being “cranked” or reeled in.

Jerkbaits - these are also shaped like minnows, but are often heavier than swimbaits. The jerkbait is designed to have irregular movement and action as a wounded bait fish would have when swimming through the water. Thus, they are not designed to have a smooth retrieval like the other baits.

Jerkbaits - these are also shaped like minnows, but they are usually heavier than swimbaits. However, the jerkbait is not designed for smooth retrieval as the other lures are. Instead, they move irregularly and act as an injured bait fish would when swimming.

Bass fishing lures also may include live bait fish, trolling baits, and worms. Most often, the lures will be brightly colored for fishing in bright conditions and in deep waters. More naturally-colored lures are used for fishing in the typical shallow and the cloudy water near the shoreline.