Bass Fishing Tips - Is There a Best Bait For Bass?

Have you ever wondered if there is a "best bait" when it comes to bass fishing? In this article I'm going to list some of the more popular and effective baits used for bass fishing. These baits all catch bass and which one is best depends largely on personal preference.

I will also provide some bass fishing tips that will help you be more effective when using these bass baits. I know, I know, bass fishing tips are much like bellybuttons. Every body seems to have one, but with any luck some of the bass fishing tips in this article will work for you.

What do you say we get down to business and list these effective bass baits?

1. Jitterbugs - One of the most popular top water bass lures of all time is the Jitterbug. The manufacturer of these wonderful top water bass baits also makes a jointed variety, which is also quite effective. The key to fishing a jitterbug, whether jointed or traditional, is to fish it very slowly in water that's as flat as possible. When retrieving these bass baits you want to hear the melodic "gurgle" that these baits emit from the lip on the front.

2. Live Bait - Live bait has always been considered a great bass fishing bait. Large shiners or shad are quite effective when fished under a float. I personally live to use slip bobbers as a float when fishing live shiners or shad for bass. Large baitfish (the size of your hand or a bit smaller) should be hooked right below the dorsal fin with a circle hook. Smaller baitfish should be hooked through the lips using a set of gang hooks. Both of these methods seem to be the best at keeping your live bait alive.

3. Synthetic Worms/Grubs - Plastic worms have long been known as a great bait for bass, but the introduction of synthetic worms and grubs has changed the game a bit. Synthetic worms such as Berkley's Gulp and Power Worms are extremely effective bass baits. This might be one of the best bass fishing tips that you get today. These bass baits have been impregnated with fish attracting scents, so ditch your soft plastics for their synthetic cousins.

4. Realistic Shad Imitations - One of a basses favorite meals is a shad, so realistic shad imitations are a very effective bass bait. The key when using shad imitations is that they are as realistic as possible. You want your lure to look as much like a real shad as possible. I realize that this sounds obvious, but it nonetheless needs to be mentioned. All too often bass anglers try to save a few bucks on their bass lures and compromise realism without realizing it. Don't skimp, especially when it comes to shad imitations.

These bass baits are among the most effective that you will find. Are they the only options? Certainly not, but one of them might just become your best bass bait and catch you a trophy.

By Trevor Kugler