5 Best Bass Fishing Baits
Whether you’re up north chasing pre-spawn bass or fishing southern lakes with fish already on beds, the right bait can make all the difference.
During the spring-to-early-summer transition, bass are either feeding aggressively, guarding nests, or holding close to shallow cover.
If you’re targeting largemouth bass during these active periods, here are five of the most effective baits to throw.
1. Wacky Rig or Neko Rig
Nothing beats a soft stickbait in shallow water during the spawn or pre-spawn. Wacky- or Neko-rigged Senkos excel around docks, flats, isolated cover, and bedding areas. They’re subtle, slow-falling, and irresistible to cruising or nesting fish.
Top Picks:
- Yamamoto Senko – $7.99
- Colors: Green Pumpkin, Black and Blue, Baby Bass
- Rapala Crush City Pig Stick – $6.99
- Colors: Green Pumpkin, Black Blue, Plum
- Berkley MaxScent General – $9.99
- Colors: Green Pumpkin, Black Blue Fleck, Grn Pumpkin Watermelon
2. Big Swimbait or Glide Bait
Looking for bigger bites? Swimbaits and glide baits are proven producers when bass are feeding aggressively or patrolling shallow flats. Even fish that aren’t giants will still strike at a 6- or 7-inch swimbait.
Top Picks:
- Megabass Magdraft 6″ or 8″ – $17.99
- Colors: Albino Pearl Shad, Pro Blue Chart, Borealis Shad
- Berkley Nessie Soft Glide Bait 7″ – $12.99
- Colors: Burnt Bone, Perch, Shad
- Storm Arashi Glide Bait – $37.59
- Colors: Dirty Bone, Threadfin Shad, Bluegill
3. Swim Jig
The swim jig is a springtime staple and versatile enough to use throughout the spawn cycle. Great for covering water, mimicking shad or bluegill, and fishing around grass, wood, or shallow structure.
Top Picks:
- Toad Thumper Hydra HD Swim Jig – $5.49
- Outkast Tackle Pro Swim Jig – $5.99
- Core Tackle Swim Jig – $5.99
4. Topwater Baits
Once water temps rise and the bluegill spawn kicks off, topwater lures shine—especially walking baits and frogs. Whether you’re working open water or skipping into thick cover, topwater action can trigger aggressive strikes.
Top Picks:
- Evergreen SB Topwater Plug – $18.99
- Toad Thumper Swamper Frog – $9.99
- Colors: Bad Bone, Black, Bad Gill
5. Texas Rigged Creature Bait
Ideal for flipping into heavy cover or presenting to bedding bass, a Texas-rigged creature or craw is a proven producer. It’s a simple but effective presentation that catches bass before, during, and after the spawn.
Top Picks:
- Rapala Crush City Bronco Bug – $6.99
- Colors: Black & Blue Flake, Green Pumpkin Blue, Candy Bug
- Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Stank Bug – $8.99
- Colors: Green Pumpkin, Black Blue Fleck, Green Pumpkin Blue
- Rapala Crush City Cleanup Craw – $6.99
- Colors: Tilapia Magic, Green Pumpkin Blue, Bama Craw
