Bass fishing is a popular sport enjoyed by people all over the world. The thrill of catching a big, feisty fish is hard to beat, and for many anglers, it’s the highlight of their day on the water. But while there are many factors that contribute to a successful day of bass fishing – including local knowledge, technique, and experience – perhaps none is more important than lure selection.
Understanding the different types of lures, as well as the factors that influence which ones to choose for different fishing scenarios, can make the difference between a day of frustration and a stringer full of prized catches. In this article, we’ll explore the various types of lures available for bass fishing, examine the factors that affect which lures are most effective in different situations, and discuss the “matching the hatch” strategy, in which the angler attempts to mimic the natural food source of the bass. We’ll also look at some case studies of successful lure selection, to illustrate the principles we discuss.
The Different Types of Lures
Before we can delve into the intricacies of choosing the right lure, it’s important to understand the basic types of lures available to the bass angler. The four broad categories of lures commonly used in bass fishing are soft plastics, hardbaits, jigs, and spinnerbaits.
Soft plastics are the most popular type of bass fishing lure, and for good reason. They’re versatile, inexpensive, and – when used correctly – highly effective. Soft plastics come in an enormous variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, with some common shapes including worms, crawfish, minnows, and lizards. Soft plastics can be rigged in a variety of ways, including the Texas rig, Carolina rig, wacky rig, and drop shot rig. Some soft plastics are even designed to float, while others sink at varying rates. Common materials used in soft plastics include plastic, rubber, and silicone.
Hardbaits are another popular type of lure in bass fishing. These lures imitate various types of fish, including minnows, crawfish, and shad. They come in many sizes, colors, and shapes, and can be rigged in a variety of ways, including with treble hooks, single hooks, or no hooks at all (so-called “decoys”). Examples of hardbaits include crankbaits, jerkbaits, and topwater lures. Hardbaits are generally more expensive than soft plastics, but their durability can make them a better long-term investment.
Jigs are relatively simple fishing lures that consist of a hook with a weighted head. Jigs can be dressed with soft plastics, hair, or feathers, and can be used in a variety of ways, including casting, flipping, and jigging. Jigs are especially effective in heavy cover, as their weedless design allows them to be fished in areas where other lures would get snagged.
Spinnerbaits are a versatile type of lure that combine a metal blade that spins when retrieved with a skirted hook and often a soft plastic trailer. Spinnerbaits can be retrieved in a variety of ways, including steady retrieves, stop-and-go retrieves, and jerky retrieves. They’re especially effective in murky water, as the blade creates flash and vibration that can help attract bass.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Lure
Now that we have a basic understanding of the different types of lures available, let’s turn our attention to the factors that should influence our lure selection. These factors include depth and conditions of water being fished, time of day and season, weather and water temperature, and an angler’s strategy.
Depth and conditions of the water being fished are important factors to consider when selecting lures. Soft plastics are especially effective in shallow water, where their subtle movements can be seen by bass even in low light conditions. Hardbaits and spinnerbaits, on the other hand, are more effective in deeper water, where their flash and vibration can be seen and felt by bass from greater distances.
Time of day and season are also important considerations when selecting lures. For example, topwater lures are especially effective in the early morning and late evening, when bass are more likely to be feeding near the surface. In the middle of the day, when the sun is high and the water is warmer, a slow-moving soft plastic or a deep-diving crankbait might be more effective. In cooler water temperatures, a slower retrieve is generally more effective, as bass are less active in these conditions.
Weather and water temperature are two other factors that can influence lure selection. In hot weather, when water temperatures are higher, bass are more likely to be found in deeper, cooler water. Spinnerbaits and jigs are especially effective in these conditions, as they can be retrieved slowly and methodically through deeper water. In colder weather, on the other hand, bass are more likely to be found in shallower water with more cover. This is where soft plastics and shallow-running crankbaits can be especially effective.
Strategy is also an important consideration when selecting lures. For example, if an angler is looking to catch a lot of fish quickly, a soft plastic rigged on a drop shot or Carolina rig might be the best choice,
as it allows for a lot of quick casts and variations in presentation. Conversely, if an angler is trying to catch a trophy-sized bass, a slow-moving jig or a big, noisy topwater lure might be more likely to attract the desired fish.
Matching the Hatch
Another important consideration in lure selection is the concept of “matching the hatch”. This strategy involves choosing a lure that closely resembles the natural food source of the bass in a given waterway. By mimicking the size, shape, color, and movement of the bass’s preferred prey, an angler can increase the chances of enticing a strike.
To successfully match the hatch, an angler must first identify the natural food sources present in the waterway they’re fishing. This might involve observing the behavior of local birds and other wildlife, looking for signs of insect activity on the water’s surface, or even examining the stomach contents of recently caught bass. Once an angler has a good idea of what the bass are eating, they can choose a lure that closely resembles that prey. For example, if the bass in a given waterway are feeding heavily on crayfish, a rust-colored jig or soft plastic designed to simulate a crawdad might be an effective choice.
Case Studies
To illustrate the principles we’ve discussed, let’s look at a few case studies of successful lure selection in different situations.
Case study 1: Clearwater lake, early morning
In this scenario, an angler is fishing in a clear lake early in the morning. The water temperature is cool, and the skies are clear. In these conditions, the bass are likely to be feeding near the surface, so topwater lures are a good choice. The angler chooses a Zara Spook topwater lure in a shad pattern, and casts it towards the shoreline. After a few quick retrieves, a big bass explodes on the lure, and the angler quickly sets the hook. After a short fight, the bass is landed and released. In this case, the angler’s lure selection was based on the time of day and water conditions, as well as the bass’s natural feeding behavior.
Case study 2: Murky river, midday
In this scenario, an angler is fishing in a muddy river in the middle of the day. The water temperature is warm, and the skies are overcast. In these conditions, the bass are likely to be holding in deeper water, but still feeding. The angler chooses a spinnerbait in a chartreuse and white color pattern, and casts it towards a downed tree on the riverbank. After retrieving the spinnerbait slowly through the water column, the angler feels a heavy tug on the line, and quickly sets the hook. After a tough fight, a chunky bass is landed and released. In this case, the angler’s lure selection was based on water conditions and the natural feeding behavior of the bass.
Case study 3: Shallow pond, late afternoon
In this scenario, an angler is fishing in a shallow pond in the late afternoon. The water is warm, and there is a light breeze. In these conditions, the bass are likely to be feeding on small minnows and other baitfish. The angler chooses a small suspending jerkbait in a silver and black color pattern, and casts it towards the center of the pond. After giving the lure a few quick jerks, a big bass slams into the bait and the angler sets the hook. After a spirited fight, the bass is landed and released. In this case, the angler’s lure selection was based on the natural food source of the bass in the pond.
Conclusion
While there are many factors that contribute to a successful day of bass fishing, perhaps none is more important than lure selection. Understanding the different types of lures, as well as the factors that influence which ones are most effective in different situations, can make the difference between a frustrating day on the water and a stringer full of prized catches. By considering the depth and conditions of the water being fished, the time of day and season, weather and water temperature, and an angler’s strategy, as well as by matching the hatch, an angler can increase their chances of success on the water. With a little practice and a good understanding of lure selection, any angler can become a master of the art of bass fishing.
