The Best Striper Lures and Baits to Catch Huge Striped Bass: Reviews and Ratings

Everyone and their brother seem to make lures these days, so it’s challenging to separate the winners from the worthless.

In this guide, I’ll share my tested mix of classics and newcomers that consistently put stripers in the boat.

Last updated: January 17th, 2025

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Best Overall: Cotton Cordell Pencil Poppers

Why I Chose It

I’ve never encountered a lure that worked so well, and so many anglers couldn’t explain why.

At under $10, the 6-7 inch Cotton Cordell Pencil Popper proves you don’t need expensive lures to catch fish consistently.

The Pencil Popper’s weighted tail lets you cast long distances well beyond the breaking waves where big stripers feed. It creates a beautiful presentation with sound that triggers aggressive strikes without much effort.

While it’s too large for inshore fishing, I found the Popper perfect for surf casting and offshore applications where bigger bait presentations shine.

Runner-Up: Creek Chub Striper Strike

I keep it in my tackle box for those specific conditions where I’ll need something with more muscle.

Best for Beginners: Facikono Jig Head Soft Swimbait

If you’re fishing for striper for the first time, the Facikono Jig Head Soft Swimbait is a must-have!

Here’s why – this swimbait takes the guesswork out of striper fishing. Its brilliant presentation through lifelike tail movement and built-in fish scent does most of the work for you.

You also get a lead block jig built into the tail with a treble hook hanging from the bottom. You can fish these almost anywhere stripers hang out. Just cast and retrieve – no fancy techniques needed.

I admit that they do not seem to be the most durable lures out there. However, at this price point (about $10), you get six chances (they come in a pack of six) to hook into your first striped bass.

Best Surface Plug: Stan Gibbs Danny Surface Swimmer

The 2¼-ounce Stan Gibbs Lures Danny Surface Swimmer is what I reach for when I need a topwater lure with some heft. I love surface plugs and this one made this list for a few reasons.

It comes in over 5 different colors, although I have only highlighted the black one here.

I particularly like how the Danny’s reflective lip creates both noise and flash if you are fishing during the day.

The only consideration is the weight which makes it too heavy for many anglers. That is why I only use it as a secondary option.

Runner-Up Surface Plug: Dr. Fish Saltwater GT Popper

The Dr. Fish Saltwater GT Popper earned its spot on this list mainly due to its realistic and highly detailed look. With holographic laser scaling, this lure really comes alive at night.

I also appreciate the cup mouth design – it creates an aggressive popping action that striped bass find difficult to resist.

The internal rattling ball is a smart touch, improving both casting distance and accuracy.

The combination of ABS material and stainless steel wire means you can use this lure for both salt and freshwater conditions. Coming in at around $10, it won’t break the bank either.

Best Spoon: Acme Kastmaster with BuckTail Hook

Why I Chose It

When most people think of casting spoons, they often turn their attention to Acme Kastmaster Single-Hook Bucktail. After testing it, I can say that it has earned its reputation.

This solid brass spoon is machined for durability and worked well especially when I targeted big stripers.

I feel the shiny presentation combined with the bucktail hook creates a deadly combination. At 3 ounces, it’s also got the weight you need for proper casting.

The only downside is that it’s pricey at about $15, which can hurt if you lose a lot of lures (and we all do).

Runner-Up Spoon: Last Cast Tackle Silver Spoon Lure

Why I Chose It

In my conversations with fellow anglers, the Last Cast Tackle Silver Spoon keeps coming up as a solid value choice. The feedback is that it is easy to use and just plain works.

As with all good spoons, the Silver Spoon’s shiny finish creates a nice presentation.

This lure comes in a variety of sizes from 1/8 to 1.5 ounces. I don’t recommend going any larger than one ounce (the larger sizes are great for Mackerel!).

Note that some anglers have reported receiving scratched spoons so you may want to double-check yours when they arrive.

That said, at less than $4 per spoon (under $15 for the pack), it’s a budget-friendly option. It is a great alternative for those who aren’t ready to spend on the Acme Kastmaster yet.

Best Lipped Minnow: Rapala X-Rap

Why I Chose It

As I mention in many of my articles, I’m a big believer in lipped minnows like the Rapala X-Rap.

It stands out mainly because it does a great job of creating a natural presentation while throwing enough noise through the water to draw attention.

The aggressive darting action makes it an ideal choice around inshore cover where stripers hang out.

This lure is available in nearly 25 colors and 5 different sizes and weights, so you can easily match your local baitfish patterns. At around $15, I find it to be a reasonable investment.

Runner-Up Lipped Minnow: Yo-Zuri Crystal 3D Floating Minnow

Why I Chose It

As a runner-up, the Yo-Zuri Crystal 3D Floating Minnow isn’t second best – I’ll count it more of a perfect partner to the Rapala X-Rap.

In my opinion, this lure’s quick-diving action and light-reflecting design make it especially effective during bright, sunny conditions.

It comes in 7 different colors and I keep a few of these so that I can match the local bait.

I suggest switching to this lure during morning and early afternoon fishing and swap to the X-Rap for overcast days and evenings. It is priced similarly to the X-Rap at under $15.

Best Inshore Minnow: Lucky Craft Flash Minnow

Why I Chose It

The Lucky Craft SW Flash Minnow has an interesting history – it was originally developed for California inshore fishing around the Bay Area. I’ve found it to be equally effective in Florida and South Carolina waters though.

At 0.64 ounces, this suspending minnow shines around rocky inshore areas, making it perfect for striper haunts. Its solid construction means it can take a beating when banging off rocks.

Tip: Some versions come with treble hooks while others require separate hook purchases. You may want to keep this in mind when ordering.

Unlike the other minnows covered above, this one comes in only one size. Also, at around $20, it’s on the expensive side.

Runner-Up Inshore Minnow: Calissa Offshore Suspending Minnow

Why I Chose It

I was immediately curious when I saw that the Calissa Offshore Tackle Inshore Minnow came with a 12-month warranty – that’s pretty rare in fishing gear.

This lure is purpose-built for striped bass, and it’s evident from its design.

At ⅝ ounce, it’s definitely on the lighter side, and I found it tricky to cast on a windy day. However, on another one when the conditions were normal, I found the minnow’s presentation to be smooth and natural. It does a great job inshore.

You can get this Calissa Offshore minnow in a single pack or choose the five-pack option which includes a mix of colors (my choice). Either way, you’ll end up paying about $15 each for this lure – not bad considering the value that you get.

Best Soft Plastic: EliasVFishing Extreme Swim Shad

Why I Chose It

If you’re a fan of soft plastics like I am, the EliasVFishing Extreme Paddletail Shad swimbaits deserve a close look. At 5.5 inches long, these ultra-soft shads create exceptional action.

I paired one with a two-ounce jig head – the combo helped maintain my presentation when I was working through thick weeds.

While they seem a bit less durable than I’d prefer, you get eight in a pack which helps offset this issue.

For around $20 for the pack, I found it to be an affordable option that works in most situations.

Runner-Up Soft Plastic: EliasVFishing Extreme Whiptail Shad

Why I Chose It

I chose the EliasVFishing Extreme Whiptail Shad as a runner-up because it’s lighter than what you typically want for stripers. While you can choose your jig head size, going too heavy will mess with the presentation.

I found that this lure works best with a lighter jig head and regular rod tip action which will get that tail wagging in the water.

It’s a great choice when fishing inshore around marshes and wetlands. Just be prepared to get some bluefish – this lure tends to attract them too.

At under $20 for eight lures, it costs the same as the Extreme Swim Shad.

Best Trolling Lure: Bay State Tackle Trolling Tube

Why I Chose It

The Bay State Tackle Trolling Tube is one lure that many anglers may not have seen yet. It imitates a saltwater worm, and I’ve been impressed with how well it delivers.

What makes this lure special is that the water’s motion does all the work in creating its life-like presentation. It’s built tough too, with a 135 lb flexible thru-wire that can handle pressure.

The only downside is that I think the 6/0 hook could have been a bit larger.

That said, I found it to be a unique and effective lure. It is available in 7 different colors and 4 sizes so you can choose the one that might work best for your fishing conditions.

For better results, I recommend going with the 12-inch version and adding some powerbait worm scent.

This trolling tube lure is priced in the $15 – $20 range. Considering that it’s designed to last through multiple hookups, I think it offers great value for your money.

Best Crankbait: SteelShad XL Lipless Crankbait

I love how the SteelShad XL Lipless Crankbait combines features of crankbaits, jerkbaits, and spoons all in one.

This 0.75-ounce blade is impressive in how it can work multiple depths – from 2 to 60 feet down.

It’s designed to create a throbbing action in the water that makes a lot of vibrations to get attention. The reflective surface of the lure shines on sunny days, making it effective in bright conditions

The only thing that I didn’t like as much about this lure is that the eyes aren’t quite lifelike. It also takes some time to master all its features.

This SteelShad lure comes in 6 colors and is priced under $14. You can also use it for trout, salmon, pike, and other types of fish.

Best Bucktail: Dr. Fish Bucktail Jig Fluke

Why I Chose It

As an inshore angler who loves finesse fishing, I’ve found the Dr. Fish Bucktail Jig Fluke to be a perfect match for my style. Even when targeting bigger stripers, I prefer a smaller and more technical approach, and these 2-ounce jigs deliver exactly what I need.

The primary reason why I like them is their lifelike scaled body and 3D eyes which create a convincing presentation, especially when bottom jigging.

While they’re not suited for offshore fishing, I use them in smaller inshore situations.

You can get these in packs of three, either in matching colors or a multicolor mix. I usually go for the multicolor pack in 1- or 2-ounce sizes which runs under $20.

How to Catch More Striped Bass

Now that you know the best striper lures let’s talk about how, where, and when to locate this saltwater bass.

Tip #1: Where to Look

To catch striped bass, you need to know where to look. This species originated in the Northeast area of the country around the Chesapeake and Cape Cod.

They’ve gradually spread around the entire coast from there. If you’re fishing for striper, you’ll want to fish around structures.

Look for bridge pilings, docks, marina buildings, and anything else that could act as cover.

Tip #2: When to Look

As with most fish, their habits change based on the season and water temperature. Even though these bass roam the salt, their habits are the same.

In early spring through early summer, you’ll want to look around rocky ledges and grassy shallows.

When the water temperature rises, they make their way out into deep water.

Final Thoughts

The best lures for striped bass can only get you so far, never forget that. Don’t dwell too much on not knowing what lures to use.

Understanding the best bass fishing tips and techniques is important too. If you’re unsure, grab a couple of my favorites and try them all out.

Make sure you give the lure enough time to do its job and research how you should present it to the bass as well.

Good luck!