Stop throwing the wrong lure. After 15 years on the water, I can tell you first-hand these 7 lures produce when others fail.
Last updated: November 25th, 2024
Video Review
If you prefer video format then take a look at our video on Youtube where Wesley takes them out on the water and walks you through how, and where to use each lure.
Strike King Square Bill Crankbait
Want to know the one crankbait design that changed bass fishing forever? The Strike King Square Bill has become legendary for a reason most anglers completely overlook.
This tank of a crankbait is built differently from your standard rounded lip cranks. Its square lip design isn’t just for show – it’s engineered to deflect off cover without snagging, creating erratic movements that trigger aggressive strikes.
While other cranks might give you that predictable wobble, the Square Bill’s random bouncing action mimics a disoriented baitfish that bass can’t resist.
Available in weights from 3/8oz to 2.5oz, its purposefully silent design (no internal rattles) makes it deadly effective in pressured waters. The build quality is exceptional, with premium hooks and a durable lip that can take a beating. The only real drawback?
The eyes tend to pop off, but that rarely affects its fish-catching ability. At its price point, you can afford to stock up on multiple colors and sizes for different conditions.
Rebel Pop R Triple Threat
The morning I discovered why bass anglers call the Pop-R “heart attack bait” changed my entire approach to topwater fishing.
After three decades on the market, this little surface disturber still triggers the kind of explosive strikes that make you drop your rod.
The Rebel Pop-R Triple Threat pack comes with three deadly color patterns (Foxy Mama, Foxy Shad, and Foxy Lady) that cover every condition you’ll face.
Each 2½-inch, ¼-ounce popper creates that perfect “bloop” sound that draws bass from a distance. While other topwater lures lock you into one retrieve speed, the Pop-R shines whether you’re walking it fast like a panicked baitfish or working it painfully slow.
The only real downside is the somewhat brittle construction, but at this price point, the Triple Threat pack lets you stock up on the three most proven color patterns without breaking the bank. Each one serves a specific purpose – from clear water to stained, sunny days to overcast.
Strike King Finesse KVD Spinnerbait
The secret weapon that Kevin VanDam used to win three consecutive tournaments almost never made it to market.
This uniquely-shaped spinnerbait creates an action that other pros have spent years trying to replicate.
The KVD spinnerbait’s curved base and flat top isn’t just for looks – it creates a perfectly balanced wobble that tracks true in any retrieve speed.
What really sets it apart is its compact profile and lighter wire, which trigger strikes from those pressured bass that ignore standard spinnerbaits. Available in both Double Willow and Colorado Willow configurations, it comes in 10 proven color patterns.
Booyah Boo Jig
The day I watched a veteran bass guide outfish an entire tournament field with a single jig changed my understanding of finesse fishing forever. The Booyah Boo Jig isn’t just another finesse jig – it’s the reason some anglers never throw anything else.
Coming in ¼ to ⅜ ounce sizes, this jig’s razor-sharp platinum nickel hook and precision-cut weed guard create the perfect balance between snag resistance and hook-setting power.
While other finesse jigs might hang up in thick cover, the Boo Jig’s streamlined head design slices through vegetation like a knife. Available in six strategic colors, it’s perfectly matched with a compact creature bait for those pressured shoreline bass.
Rapala X-Rap
This isn’t just another jerkbait – it’s the reason some pros dedicate entire tackle boxes to a single lure pattern.
The X-Rap’s aggressive darting action mimics a dying baitfish with uncanny realism, suspending perfectly in that critical 3-8 foot strike zone. While other jerkbaits float up or sink during the pause, this 0.43-ounce precision tool holds its depth like it’s frozen in place. With 10 natural color patterns and internal rattles that call fish from a distance, it’s lethal in clear to slightly stained water.
Its long-casting system lets you cover more water, but here’s the key: work it slow in cold water, speed it up in warm. The only limitation? Skip it on heavily overcast days when visibility is poor. In the right conditions, though, this is the one bait I won’t leave shore without.
PowerBait Swimmer
Your standard swimbait might look like a baitfish, but tournament pros know there are three hidden triggers in the Power Swimmer that make it absolutely irresistible to bass. The difference is so dramatic that some anglers have completely stopped throwing traditional soft plastic worms.
The PowerBait swimmer combines a ribbed body that throws off fish-calling vibrations with Berkeley’s proven scent technology.
While other swimbaits rely purely on visual appeal, this bait’s taste-enhanced formula keeps bass holding on longer – crucial for converting those short strikes into solid hookups.
Available in multiple proven patterns (with Rainbow Shad being a standout), it’s as close to throwing live bait as you can get.
The natural gliding action and scent dispersion work together to draw strikes in any condition. There’s a reason I can’t find a single drawback with these baits – they simply produce when other lures won’t.
Yamamoto Senko Bait
The simple trick that Japanese anglers used to revolutionize American bass fishing sits right in your tackle shop, hiding in plain sight.
The Yamamoto Senko might look like just another plastic worm, but there’s a reason it’s been called “the greatest bass lure ever invented.”
Available in 3 to 6-inch lengths, this scent-infused soft plastic creates a hypnotic horizontal fall that triggers strikes when nothing else will.
While other worms require complex retrieves, the Senko’s natural shimmy does all the work for you. Rig it weedless, wacky-style, or Texas-rigged – it’s equally deadly on both largemouth and smallmouth.
The only trade-off? They’re soft so it means they tear easily. But most pros will tell you that’s actually why they work so well – that subtle, vulnerability in their action is exactly what makes them irresistible to bass.
How to Choose the Best Lure for Bass
There are some criteria to keep in mind when shopping around for bass lures.
The Season
The time of year is a huge factor because bass breed in the Spring and they slow down during the Fall and Winter months. The Spring is a huge feeding time because there very active and if you fish in the morning and evening during the Summer, you’ll find active bass as well.
These factors matter because they determine the size and color of your lure. It’s not as simple as just picking a type of lure based on what you want to catch, you have to pay attention to how large it is and what color it is.
For example, during the late Spring, you might use a neon green 1/4 ounce spinnerbait and catch smallmouth bass all day long. That same bait wouldn’t perform as well during the fall.
Water Conditions
Another important consideration is the water. Stick something down into the water and if you can’t see it past one or two feet, you’ve got murky conditions and you need specific lures to work with in that situation.
The water is usually the murkiest during the Spring when there is a lot of rain or if there is snow runoff. When the snow melts, it drags a lot of dirt and mud into the water as it runs down. This causes low visibility which makes it harder for the bass to see your lures.
So, now is when you need something that makes a lot of noise, reflects light, or is bright enough to draw attention. In murky conditions I would use a bass popper or a chugger because they make a lot of noise.
Fishing Style
How do you like to fish? Do you want something that requires a lot of attention? Like a stickbait or jig?
Or, would you prefer something like a frog or swimbait that does all the work for you? Are you using a spinning reel or casting reel? Do you prefer trolling, fishing the bottom, topwaters, or cranks?
There are many questions to ask yourself and that’s why I believe you should have a lot of different tackle. If I could recommend anything, I would suggest getting one of each lure from this review so you have some options.
Live Bait vs Artificial Lures
For the most part, live bait is a great option for bass fishing, or for any game fish for that matter. Bass are carnivores and their natural prey are other small fish, worms, insects, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates like crawfish, so naturally, the most effective bait is live bait.
Using live bait doesn’t require any special rod or reel techniques, except having a slow reel action.
So, they are also good for beginners. The two biggest cons with live bait are the mess and making sure to get the bait to the right depth.
Artificial lures are also a good option for bass fishing and one I’ve always preferred because I like to be in control.
Artificial lures like plastic worms, finesse worms, swim jigs, and craws require the angler to know how to “work” the lure to make it attractive to bass.
Each lure is intended to mimic a particular prey animal, so you need to use your rod and reel to create the movements of these living creatures in a metal or plastic lure.
If you are new to bass fishing, this can be a big con to artificial lures so you might want to start with live bait.
Conclusion
For everyday bass fishing, the Rapala X-Rap delivers unmatched versatility and proven performance. Its perfect suspend depth and natural action make it a go-to choice in most conditions. If you’re buying just one premium bass lure, this is it.
Those just starting out or fishing on a budget should grab a pack of Yamamoto Senkos. While they may lack flash, their simple effectiveness and ease of use make them perfect for learning bass behavior. They’re the most reliable way to start catching fish consistently.
For anglers wanting the absolute best finesse presentation, the Berkley PowerBait Power Swimmer is worth every penny. Its combination of scent, action, and durability simply produces more bites than standard soft plastics.
Have a specific question about which lure to use in your local waters? Drop a comment below with your conditions and target species. I respond to every comment.
