Best Lure For Bass Fishing

I had a young fellow ask me a question here recently that was probably one of the most frequently asked questions I receive. This young man is relatively new to bass angling and he wanted my opinion on "What us the best lure to use for catching bass?"

I thought about his question for a few seconds and I considered many variables and answers. When I expressed my "opinion" to his question, I was not trying to avoid his question but I wanted to fully explain my answer.

I realize many bass anglers would argue the fact that the spinnerbait is the "best lure" because of it's versatility. You can cast a spinnerbait out and start your retrieve as soon as it hits the water and retrieve it quickly creating a wake on the surface and catch bass that are shallow. You can cast it out and use the "count down" method and retrieve it at mid-depths and sometimes catch fish that are suspended or, one of my favorite ways to fish a spinnerbait, is to cast it out and let it sink to the bottom and slow roll it back to catch the bass in deeper water.

Other bass anglers will state their preference for crankbaits. They are available in many colors and they can be used from extremely shallow to extra deep. Many crankbaits resemble shad, shiners and crawfish imitators. They also come with rattles in them to attract bass.

I know some anglers, including myself that would "sing the praises" of plastic worms. I have caught many limits of bass by simply slowly down and giving the bass a good look at a slower presentation. A worm can be fished on a Texas Rig, Carolina Rig, floating rig, wacky rig and a number of new rigs developing each day.

A jig and pig combination can be very effective and many tournaments are won using this combination. Normally, with a jig and pig combination, you will not catch as many bass as you will using a plastioc worm..but the fish you catch will normally be bigger bass.

In many instances, topwater lures will catch alot of bass. You must remember though that topwater fishing is normally more effective early in the morning and late in the evening and you have to make adjustments for the period of fishing in between those periods.

I know many anglers prefer to use jerkbaits and suspending baits. These are very effective also. I have taken bass on just about every conceivable lure made today.

To be perfectly honest with the young man, I told him " There is NO BEST LURE FOR BASS FISHING." Before you start stringing up the rope for me, let me explain why I made that statement.

Conditions change very often. Be it weather conditions, light conditions, water conditions like clarity, depth and temperature. Some times the weeds die out, boating and fishing pressure can also effect bass fishing. Baitfish can relocate and die off. There are many things that come into effect that will determine the BEST LURE.

You might go fishing this afternoon and the bass might jump all over your white spinnerbait and right away, that is the best lure for bass fishing. You go to work and brag to your fishing buddy about you success and you and he returns two days later and you throw that very same spinnerbait all day and ..NOTHING. Welcome to bass fishing my friend.

It normally helps to keep a log book and record information like weather conditions, water temperature, water clarity, time of day, etc. It could really make a huge differene in your fishing.

In my opinion, the best lure for bass fishing is..your CONFIDENCE BAIT. What is a confidence bait? That is the lure that always seems to produce for you.

For me, my confidence bait is a Texas Rig 4" or 7" Junebug Saturn Assault Worm from Jerry's Tournament Tackle in Spokane, Wa. I will have these dynamite worms close for tough conditions. I have soaked them in Kick'nBass Garlic formula and I know I can always catch fish on them.

I have won a number of tournaments this season and placed fairly high in others. That is what makes them my confidence bait.

When you fish a confidence bait, you will fish it more thoroughly and more often. You will also fish it in places you would not fish other lures and to catch bass. we all realize you have to keep your lure in the water and infront of bass.

In more than one tournament, I have started using a different lure and if the bass does not hit it very shortly, I become impatient and start looking for my "confidence lure." SInce it has produced bass for me in many different situations, I have the confidence in it and also in my abilkity to convince a bass he wants to strike it for an easy meal.

To me folks, the best lure for bass fishing is ..YOUR confidence lure. It is your decision what that particular lure will be. What works for me or other anglers may not work for you. It will take some time to experiment and decide your preference but you will eventually have your favorite and it will soon become the BEST LURE FOR BASS FISHING.