Let’s be honest—bass anglers love collecting lures. Tackleboxes get filled with every shape, size, and color, but when it comes down to actually catching fish, only a handful of baits really do the work. These are the ones that stay tied on, trip after trip. Whether you’re a bank angler or out on a boat, these 10 lures cover just about every situation you’ll run into.
Texas-Rigged Worm
Simple, cheap, and deadly. A soft plastic worm rigged Texas-style catches bass just about anywhere. It’s weedless, which means you can work it through brush, grass, or laydowns without snagging every cast.
It shines in tough conditions when fish won’t commit to flashy stuff. You don’t need a ton of colors—just something dark and something natural.
Jig with Trailer
Jigs have been catching big bass forever. Add a craw-style trailer, and now you’ve got a bait that mimics something a hungry bass would love to crush.
They work great around structure—think rocks, stumps, or docks. Flip it, drag it, hop it… doesn’t matter. It’s a “confidence bait” for a reason.
Lipless Crankbait
When you want to cover water fast, a lipless crank does the trick. Burn it across flats, rip it through grass, or yo-yo it off the bottom—it’s one of the most versatile baits out there.
They shine in cold water and pre-spawn conditions but can catch fish year-round. You’ll know when they hit. It’s not subtle.
Spinnerbait
Windy day? Slightly stained water? Tie on a spinnerbait. It gives off flash and thump that draws in fish from a distance, and the skirt adds a pulsing profile that looks alive.
It’s a go-to around cover like laydowns and grass. You can slow-roll it or burn it—either way, it works.
Squarebill Crankbait
The squarebill’s shape lets it deflect off cover without hanging up, which makes it perfect for shallow water, rocks, and laydowns. It triggers reaction strikes from bass hiding in ambush spots.
You don’t need a giant collection of them. A natural color and a chartreuse will get you through most situations.
Wacky Rig
Take a stickbait, hook it through the middle, and let it fall. That’s the whole deal. It’s painfully simple—and bass eat it like candy.
It’s especially good in clear water and around docks or grass edges. When they’re being picky, a wacky rig gets bites other lures won’t.
Topwater Walking Bait
There’s nothing like a topwater bite. A walk-the-dog style bait draws strikes when bass are hunting up high, especially in the early morning or on overcast days.
It takes a little practice to get the rhythm right, but once you do, the blowups are worth it. Keep it around when fish are active.
Bladed Jig (Chatterbait)
This one blurs the line between a spinnerbait and a jig. The vibrating blade adds flash and movement, and with a swimbait trailer, you’ve got a perfect reaction bait.
It’s great in stained or muddy water and works well around submerged grass. When fish aren’t hitting cranks or jigs, this can change the game.
Soft Plastic Swimbait
Rigged on a belly-weighted hook or jighead, a soft swimbait is a killer for covering water. It looks like a real baitfish and can be fished just about anywhere.
You don’t need to overthink the retrieve. Just steady swim it near structure or along weedlines and let it do the work.
Ned Rig
When the bite gets tough, the Ned rig comes out. It’s just a small soft plastic on a mushroom head jig, but it flat-out catches fish.
It’s great for finesse setups, cold water, or pressured lakes. It may not be flashy, but it’s one of the most dependable baits you can throw.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
