Topwater plugs
Topwater plugs work when they fool bass into thinking they are an injured fish, a struggling frog or some other type of creature that bass feast on. Use these lures when the water is calm so bass will have the best chance to take notice of the ripples and splashes they create. These lures perform well under low-light conditions, such as dawn, dusk and nighttime. When in doubt, choose a black topwater lure because it stands out no matter the color of the water.
Spinner lures
In-line spinners
The movement and vibrations that the blades of spinner baits emit will attract bass. However, in-line spinners will twist the line unless they're rigged on a ball-bearing swivel. Bass experts target submerged weed beds with in-line spinners, hoping the bass will rise out of the cover to grab the lure. The treble hooks on these lures hook the bass, making it unnecessary to employ a violent hookset. Buzzbaits, which have blades that function as propellers, have to stay on top of the water. Below the surface, buzzbaits tend to lose their effectiveness, so start reeling them in well before they touch down on the water. This makes the buzzbait stay on top rather than sink, with the propellers keeping the lure on the surface.
Weedless spoons
One of the oldest bass lures is the fishing spoon, dating to the middle of the 19th century. Use a weedless spoon to penetrate surface and underwater vegetation. Cast it beyond a weedy portion of a pond or river, then retrieve it so that it wobbles as it comes in. You can vary the rate of retrieval according to how the bass react to the spoon. Some anglers throw one of these spoons into an opening in the weeds and let it flutter down before jerking the rod tip and making the lure dance, trying to get a reaction strike from a bass. The weed guards on the spoon prevent the hook from snagging, allowing you to retrieve it past brush and logs. Tipping the point of the hook with a pork rind is a popular method for making bass bite these lures.
Plastic frogs
A soft plastic frog fished near lily pads can provide some exciting bass action. Fish this lure as slowly as possible. After the frog lands on the surface of the water, let it sit; a bass may have its eye on the lure. Do not move the plastic frog until all the ripples from the splashdown have ceased. Then jerk your rod tip and make the frog move forward as little as a foot before letting it sit for another prolonged period. All the while, observe the frog and the area around it, waiting for a bass to come from below and take the lure in its mouth.
