25 Best Bait for Bass [Ranked]

The best bait for bass includes live bait like shad, bluegill, and crayfish and lures such as soft plastic worms, jigs, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits. Effectiveness depends on factors like water temperature, clarity, and depth. Experiment with different baits to find the most suitable option.

Live Bait

Shad

Using shad as bait for bass fishing is highly effective due to their natural presence in the bass diet, making them an attractive option for anglers. Both live shad and artificial shad lures, as well as cut bait shad, can be used effectively for bass fishing.

Typically, shad measuring 3-5 inches are suitable for most bass species, and it is essential to mimic the natural behavior of shad when presenting them as bait.

Techniques such as live shad with different hooking methods, artificial shad lures like swimbaits, crankbaits, and jerkbaits, and cut bait shad presented on a Carolina rig or drop shot rig can all be employed to entice bass.

Bluegill and Sunfish

Bluegill and sunfish are small, round, spiny-rayed fish that are often found in the same habitats as bass. They can be used as live bait or imitated using artificial lures, such as crankbaits or swimbaits.

These work well during the summer months when bass target them. Hook live bluegill/sunfish through the lips, dorsal fin, or back, and use a slow retrieve.

Crayfish

Crayfish are small, freshwater crustaceans that are a favorite food for bass. They can be used as live bait or imitated through soft plastic lures, such as craws or creature baits.

Best used in rocky areas or around cover, as bass target them year-round. Rig a soft plastic crayfish on a jig head or Texas rig, and use a slow, bouncing retrieve.

Nightcrawlers

Nightcrawlers are large, earthworms that are a natural prey for bass. They can be used as live bait or imitated using soft plastic worms or other soft baits.

They are effective throughout the year. Thread the nightcrawler onto a hook, leaving the tail dangling, and use a slow, bottom-bouncing technique.

Minnows

Minnows are small, slender fish that are a common food source for bass. They can be used as live bait or imitated through artificial lures, such as jerkbaits, swimbaits, or crankbaits.

Excellent for all seasons. Hook live minnows through the lips or back, and use a slow, erratic retrieve.

Hard Lures

Spinnerbaits

Spinnerbaits are wire-frame lures with one or more spinning blades, a weighted head, and a skirted hook. The spinning blades create vibration and flash, attracting bass from a distance.

Effective in murky water and around cover. Cast and retrieve with a steady, moderate pace.

Crankbaits

Crankbaits are hard-bodied lures with a lip or bill that controls their diving depth. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, and are designed to imitate baitfish or other prey.

Ideal for covering water quickly. Cast and retrieve with varying speeds and depths, depending on the crankbait type.

Topwater lures

Topwater lures are designed to float on the water’s surface, creating commotion and attracting bass from below. They come in various styles, such as poppers, walkers, and buzzbaits.

Best in warm months during early morning or late afternoon. Cast and retrieve with a variety of speeds and pauses.

Swimbaits

Swimbaits are soft or hard-bodied lures designed to imitate baitfish, with a realistic swimming action. They come in various sizes and styles, such as paddle tail or jointed swimbaits.

Effective in clear water or around suspended bass. Cast and retrieve with a steady, slow-rolling action.

Jerkbaits

Jerkbaits are hard-bodied lures with a slender profile and a slight lip, designed to imitate wounded baitfish. They are typically fished with erratic twitches and pauses, triggering aggressive strikes from bass.

Best in colder months. Cast and retrieve with erratic twitches and pauses.

Chatterbaits

Chatterbaits, also known as bladed jigs, combine a jig and a spinnerbait. They feature a weighted head, a skirted hook, and a metal blade that creates vibration and flash when retrieved.

Suitable for murky water and around vegetation. Cast and retrieve with a steady pace.

Spybaits

Spybaits are finesse hard bait featuring a slender profile, propellers at both ends, and a slow-sinking design. They are effective in clear water, where their subtle action and lifelike appearance can trigger bites from wary bass.

Effective in clear water. Cast and retrieve with a slow, steady pace.

Soft Lures

Soft plastic worms

Soft plastic worms are artificial baits made from soft plastic material, designed to imitate the look and movement of worms or other natural prey. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, and can be rigged in several ways, such as Texas, Carolina, or wacky rigs.

Best used in warmer months. Rig them on Texas or Carolina rigs and use a slow, dragging retrieve.

Finesse worms

Finesse worms are smaller, slender soft plastic worms ideal for pressured bass or finesse fishing situations. They can be rigged on drop-shot rigs, shaky heads, or Ned rigs and fished with a slow, twitching retrieve.

Ideal for pressured fish. Rig on a drop-shot, shaky head, or Ned rig and use a slow, twitching retrieve.

Tube baits

Tube baits are hollow, cylindrical soft plastic lures with a skirted tail. They can be rigged on a jig head or a Texas rig and are effective for imitating crayfish or other bottom-dwelling prey.

Effective around cover or rocky areas. Rig on a jig head or Texas rig and use a slow, dragging retrieve.

Grubs

Grubs are small, soft plastic lures with a curled tail, designed to imitate various prey, such as small baitfish or invertebrates. They are typically rigged on a jig head and fished with a slow, steady retrieve

Best in colder months. Rig on a jig head and use a slow, steady retrieve.

Soft plastic creature baits

Soft plastic creature baits are designed to imitate various natural prey, such as crawfish, insects, or amphibians. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, and can be rigged on Texas or Carolina rigs, jigs, or other presentations.

Effective around cover. Rig on Texas or Carolina rigs and use a slow, dragging retrieve.

Jigs and Rigs

Jigs

Jigs are weighted lures with a hook typically dressed with a soft plastic trailer or skirt. They are versatile and can be used in various fishing situations and depths.

Effective year-round, especially around cover. Use a slow, hopping retrieve.

Drop-shot rigs

Drop-shot rigs are finesse presentations that involve a weight at the end of the line and a soft plastic bait tied above it. They are effective for targeting bass suspended off the bottom or in deeper water and can be used with various soft plastic baits, such as worms or minnows.

Ideal for finesse fishing. Rig a soft plastic bait on the hook and slowly shake the rod tip while maintaining contact with the bottom.

Alabama rigs (umbrella rigs)

Alabama rigs (also known as umbrella rigs) are multi-arm wire rigs designed to imitate a school of baitfish. They can be rigged with multiple soft plastic swimbaits or other lures to attract bass in open water or near structure.

Best in cooler months. Cast and retrieve with a steady, moderate pace.

Hair jigs

Hair jigs are a jig lure that uses natural or synthetic hair or fibers as a dressing instead of a soft plastic trailer or skirt. They are effective in colder months when bass are less active, as the hair provides a subtle, lifelike action in the water.

Effective in colder months. Use a slow, hopping retrieve.