Few fish species draw more scrutiny in terms of fishing techniques and lure selection than Largemouth Bass. From obsessed amateur anglers to tournament pros, innovation and technical fishing are driven by the pursuit of Bass.
The fishing lures used for Largemouth Bass are immense, as are the number of rigging styles. You can go down a serious rabbit hole with complicated rigs and tactics or you can stick to some proven winners. In this article, we’ll dive into the common and trusted lures that consistently catch Bass across North America. Many of these translate well into other members of the Bass family like Peacock and Smallmouth Bass as well. Let’s get to it!
A Discussion on Largemouth Bass Habits
Before we cover the best lures for Largemouth Bass, it’s important to understand the food sources and behaviors associated with the species. Bass, in general, are sensitive to temperature and they have a forage-based diet that ranges from insects to other fish and even mammals. In other words, find the best temperature zone and habitat, and present a realistic food source to catch more Bass.
But what does that mean in practice?
Temperature
You’ll find Bass living in surprisingly cold regions but Largemouth are really a warm-water species. In my home state of Montana, we have them in sloughs and ponds but they grow relatively slowly, as the optimal temperature ranges only arrive for a few months. This is why Bass thrive in the Midwest and South where water temperatures in the 80s are common. As water temperatures dip below 60 degrees, Bass become increasingly lethargic. You can catch them in cold temperatures and even through the ice, but they’re far more active in warmer water conditions.
Preferred Habitats
As ambush predators, Largemouth Bass rely on camouflage to hide and wait for unsuspecting prey. Although they often suspend in open water, it’s more common to find them on rock outcroppings, docks, weed beds, logs, and other natural or artificial structures.
Largemouth Bass Diet
Largemouths are opportunistic feeders and they’ll eat crayfish, worms, insects, and forage fish, along with minnows, mice, and even birds! It’s important to know what food sources are present in a given fishery. You can imitate herring, shiners, and other color schemes from native forage. That said, plenty of Bass are caught on imitations that don’t represent anything in the ecosystem as well.
The Best Fishing Lures for Largemouth Bass
The number of lures that work for Largemouth Bass are nearly limitless. Standard spinners and spoons will catch fish, alongside just about anything off the shelf. But half the battle is knowing where to find fish and focus your efforts. The following list constitutes many of the top lures for Largemouth Bass.
Spinnerbaits
You’ll see spinnerbaits come up as top lure options for numerous different species. That’s because they’re versatile and excellent for trolling and casting. They’re especially nice while Bass fishing because the design doesn’t hang up in weeds. You can fish them shallow or deep while using a straight retrieve or a retrieve with extra motion imparted on the rod. Trust me, every Largemouth angler should have a few spinnerbaits in their box.
Chatterbaits
These lures look similar to spinnerbaits but they use a plate against the hook eye to create action and sound. The lure style is excellent in shallow water when Bass are feeding aggressively but it also works in most conditions. Fish tend to strike hard when a chatterbait crosses the strike zone, so hold on tight!
Soft Plastics
This general category includes a large array of plastic lure styles. Basic worms, crayfish, and bait fish are common and they work when integrated with jigs, Texas rigs, or Carolina rigs. Rigging on a wide gap hook will catch plenty of Bass. Soft plastics are ideal for everything from finesse tactics to aggressive jerks and heavy action.
Swimbaits
Another great option when Largemouth Bass are targeting bait fish is a hard or soft body swimbait. The imitation is realistic and the jointed hard body style has a ton of action. Soft bodies work great on jig hooks where they can swim freely while making diving motions. If you’re looking for an aggressive strike, consider fishing a swimbait for big Bass.
Jerkbaits, Crankbaits, and Stickbaits
Hard-bodied lures with lips that help to control depth while imparting action make for some of the most consistent Bass action. Jerkbaits and stickbaits are excellent for fishing shallow to mid-water depths, while crankbaits have the ability to dive deep without losing action. All three styles are favorites for cast-and-retrieve techniques as well as trolling.
Techniques for Largemouth Bass Lure Fishing
Fishing for Largemouth Bass is a game of precision and persistence. Find likely holding spots and work them efficiently to catch fish. Hit weed beds, log jams, and structure as starting points. Play with depth and make adjustments based on temperature as well.
Many of the top tournament winners excel at hitting such holding areas with amazing efficiency. They cast, retrieve, and repeat with little downtime, hitting every likely inch of water in the area. After hitting everything, they move to the next spot and continue this methodical approach throughout the day.
In terms of general approaches, there are three primary methodologies. Every angler has their own style with variations of these that develop naturally as well….
- Finesse Fishing. Largemouth Bass are predators but they aren’t always ready for an explosive strike. Some days call for a more subtle approach to catch them. Suspending a worm under a float is one great passive method of fishing. Light jig heads, vertical presentations, and slow retrieves also work really well under tough conditions.
- Action Fishing. When the bite is on, add action to the lure to draw out the big fish. Move the rod tip in a bouncing or sweeping motion to add extra movement to the lure. The aggressive nature of fishing is very compatible with crankbaits and jerkbaits.
- Flat Fishing. Sometimes, a smooth retrieve is your best producer. This is often true for spinnerbaits and chatterbaits that offer plenty of natural motion without adding any from the rod. Make your cast and simply retrieve at a steady pace. Trolling also has a similar effect.
Where to Find Great Bass Fishing
Largemouth Bass live across pretty much all of North America but they have strongholds in specific regions. Look for temperate climates and areas with large reservoir systems to find some of the best fishing around…
- Canada. They say everything is bigger in Texas but I think Canada is the country for big fish in many cases. Look to the southern border region with proximity to the Great Lakes for the best opportunities. Surprisingly, British Columbia also has reservoirs and lakes where Bass reach exceptional sizes.
- Western US. California really takes the cake in the West. The nice climate zones in north and central California create ideal conditions, while the San Diego region also has some great fishing. My best Largemouth experience came from a private lake near Redding where the fishing was truly spectacular. If you look hard, the mountain states also have some great fishing. The Southwest offers mild climate zones and anglers should look to Arizona for Bass, too.
- Midwest. As with most warm water species, the Midwest is the land of opportunity. This extends into the eastern region as well, with Largemouth in the Great Lakes and into upstate New York. Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, and the heart of the Midwest are great places to explore Bass.
- South. The entire south is loaded with Bass fishing and it’s the biggest Bass scene in the United States. Florida is fantastic and some very large Largemouth are caught here each year. Texas, Georgia, and anywhere with a reservoir system is prime for Bass fishing in the South.
- Northern Mexico. Mexico has some of the best Bass fisheries in the world. The Nayarit region has huge reservoirs with low fishing pressure and some of the biggest Largemouth Bass you will ever catch. Access isn’t always easy and you’ll want to make arrangements in advance, but you might catch a world record in this region!
Largemouth Bass Fishing FAQs
Where will you target a trophy Largemouth Bass?
Bass anglers are secretive and for good reason. Asking an experienced angler to share their spots is practically taboo and this means you need to do some exploring. Go out and hit the popular reservoirs but also look for lower pressured zones to find your own secret honey holes!
Are you a connoisseur of Largemouth Bass? We’d love to learn about your most productive lures. Share away in the comments below!
