How to Fish Every Bass Lure

How to Fish Every Bass Lure

Every bass lure has a job to do, and it only does that job well if you fish it the way it was designed to be fished. A crankbait that gets reeled in a straight line without ever touching bottom is just an expensive way to troll for nothing. A jig dragged too fast looks nothing like a crawfish. This guide breaks down the core lure categories that catch bass season after season, how each one behaves in the water, and the specific retrieves, gear, and situations that make them produce. Think of it as the reference you come back to before you tie on something new.

What this guide covers

  • Crankbaits: casting angles, deflection off cover, and matching diving depth to the depth of the fish
  • Jerkbaits and glide baits: cadence, pause length, and cold-water versus warm-water presentations
  • Topwater lures: poppers, walking baits, and buzzbaits for low-light and calm-water bites
  • Soft plastics and jigs: Texas rigging, drop shotting, and skipping jigs under docks
  • Swimbaits: paddle tails, jointed swimbaits, and when a slow roll beats a burn
  • Lipless crankbaits: yo-yo retrieves through grass and matching the rip to the cover
  • Seasonal lure selection: what to throw as water temperature and bass behavior change
  • Rod, reel, and line pairings for each lure category

How to Fish a Crankbait

Crankbaits are search baits. Their whole purpose is to cover water fast and bump into things, because bass relate to cover and a lure that deflects off wood, rock, or a stump triggers reaction strikes that a slow-moving bait never will. The biggest mistake anglers make is fishing a crankbait like a retrieval exercise, cast out, reel straight back in. A crankbait should be making contact with something on nearly every cast, whether that is bottom, a rock, a laydown, or the edge of a grass line.

Start by matching the bait to the depth you are fishing. A crankbait's dive depth is printed on the package for a reason, and it is almost always based on 10 to 12 pound line on a moderate action rod. Braid or heavier line will keep the bait shallower, lighter fluorocarbon will let it dive deeper. If bass are holding on a 6 foot flat, you want a bait that dives to 6 to 8 feet, not one that maxes out at 15 and spends the whole retrieve well above the fish. Squarebill crankbaits are the go-to choice for shallow cover and rocky banks 1 to 5 feet deep, while deep diving crankbaits earn their keep on points, ledges, and deep grass lines.

Casting angle matters as much as retrieve speed. Cast so the bait's path will actually intersect cover, not run parallel to it. If you're fishing a rip-rap bank, cast at an angle that lets the bait grind across the rocks for several feet rather than just skimming past the edge. On a stump flat, cast so your retrieve path runs directly over or beside visible wood.

Here is the step-by-step approach that works on nearly any body of water:

  • Pick a crankbait whose running depth matches the depth of the cover or the fish you're targeting.
  • Cast at an angle that puts your retrieve path directly through or alongside cover, not around it.
  • Reel steadily until you feel the bait make contact, whether that's bottom, rock, or wood.
  • The instant you feel contact, pause for half a second or snap the rod tip to deflect the bait sideways. This change in direction is what triggers strikes.
  • After deflecting off cover, resume a steady retrieve. Most bites come in the two seconds right after the bait bounces off something.
  • Vary retrieve speed between casts. A slow grinding retrieve works better in cold water or on pressured fish, while a faster burn triggers reaction bites in warmer water.
  • Use a rod with some parabolic bend, either fiberglass or a composite, so fish don't tear the trebles free on the strike.

Crankbaits shine from early spring through fall, but they are especially deadly in prespawn and postspawn when bass are shallow and aggressive, and again in fall when baitfish push into creek arms and bass feed heavily before winter. Keep a rotation of colors on hand, natural shad patterns for clear water and bright chartreuse or firetiger patterns for stained water, and don't be afraid to burn through the full crankbaits lineup until you find the depth and action that gets bit that day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best all-around bass lure for beginners?

A soft plastic Texas-rigged worm is the easiest bait to learn because it forgives slow retrieves and works in cover, open water, and around structure. Pair it with a 3/0 or 4/0 hook and a 1/8 to 3/16 oz bullet weight for most situations. Once you get a feel for that, a spinnerbait is a good second lure since it covers water fast and rarely snags.

When should I fish a crankbait versus a jig?

Crankbaits work best when bass are actively feeding and chasing, especially in warmer water or around schooling fish, since the moving bait triggers reaction strikes. Jigs shine in colder water or when bass are holding tight to cover like wood, rock, or grass, because you can slow down and work the bait through tight spots without hanging up as much. If fish are following but not committing to a crankbait, switching to a jig often closes the deal.

Do topwater lures only work at certain times of day?

Topwater lures are most productive during low light, so early morning, late evening, and overcast days give you the longest windows. That said, bass will still blow up on topwater during midday in summer if there is shad activity near the surface or heavy shade. Calm water usually outperforms choppy conditions since bass can see and track the bait better.

Does Glenmore ship bass lures internationally and is shipping really free?

Yes, we ship to the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, and New Zealand with free shipping on every order, no minimum purchase required. Delivery times vary by destination, typically 5 to 12 business days depending on customs processing in your country. All lures, hooks, and terminal tackle are packed to survive international transit without hooks bending or packaging crushing.