How to Fish Every Bass Lure
Bass respond differently to a crankbait grinding through cover than they do to a jig worked slowly along the bottom, and knowing which presentation fits a given day separates anglers who catch a few fish from those who put together consistent limits. This section breaks down every major bass lure category on its own terms, covering the mechanics, retrieve styles, and situations where each one earns its place on the deck. Whether you're a weekend angler building confidence with a new bait or a tournament competitor refining details, these guides get into the specifics that actually move the needle.
Start with whatever lure is already tied on, or work through the section to understand how different baits complement each other across water clarity, cover, and season. Each guide stands alone, so use it as a reference before you hit the water or a refresher when a technique isn't producing the way it should.
Guides in this section
- How to Fish a Squarebill Crankbait. Deflect it off rock and wood for reaction strikes in shallow water.
- How to Fish a Jerkbait for Bass. Twitch and pause a suspending minnow to draw cold or clear-water bass.
- How to Fish a Lipless Crankbait. Cover water fast and rip it out of grass.
- How to Fish a Deep Diving Crankbait. Reach bass holding on offshore structure.
- How to Fish a Topwater Popper. Spit and pause it around cover for explosive strikes.
- How to Fish a Walking Bait (Walk the Dog). Zig-zag a pencil bait across the surface.
- How to Fish a Hollow Body Frog. Work it over pads and thick grass.
- How to Fish a Buzzbait. A steady surface wake that calls bass up.
- How to Fish a Spinnerbait. A weedless search bait for stained water and wind.
- How to Fish a Chatterbait (Bladed Jig). A hard-thumping bait for grass and dirty water.
- How to Fish a Paddle Tail Swimbait. A simple swim that imitates baitfish.
- How to Fish a Glide Bait. A big-fish bait with an S-glide.
- How to Fish a Swim Jig. Swim it through grass and around cover.
- How to Fish a Football Jig. Drag it on rock and offshore structure.
- How to Fish a Flipping Jig. Pitch it into heavy cover for big bites.
- How to Fish a Soft Plastic Worm. The most reliable bass bait there is.
- How to Fish a Senko (Stick Bait). Let the fall do the work.
- How to Fish a Craw or Creature Bait. Flip it into cover as a jig trailer or solo.
Ready to gear up? Shop all bass tackle or go back to all guides.