Having or not having bass lures in hand can decide to wither you’ll have a great day fishing or just a stellar day on the water. But when comes to choosing a quality fishing lure, we can literally spend an eternity discussing the buying factors. So, what to do?
If you’re surfing around the web on bass lures for the first time, here is the basic definition- A Bass Lure or Fishing Lure is a little artificial trick to catch the fish’s attention more than a typical fishing bait. They are used instead of baits and looks like artificial flies, small fishes, insects, small rodents and many more.
So, it’s so easy to get confused among these 100s of choices and make a wrong buying decision. But if you have an expert on your side, that would be a relief.
If you’ve gone through my other reviews on fishing kits, you might have known that I am a crazy lover of fishing. Therefore, today I have picked up top ten bass lures in the present market and divided them in two different price range. This will surely come to your benefit in case of buying bass fishing lures. In addition, I have a guideline of buying the best bass lure for you.
So, let’s start-
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Top 10 Best Bass Lures Comparison Chart
Product | Length | Interested? |
---|---|---|
Strike King Red Eye Shad Bait | --- | |
Rebel Pop-R | 7 Inch | |
Rapala Ultra-Light Crank | 1-1/2 Inch | |
Spro BBZ-1 Rat | 4-5 Inch | |
Heddon Sonar Lure | 1-7 Inch | |
Lucky Craft Pointer | 3 Inch | |
Jackall Bros. Soul Shad | 48mm | |
River2Sea Dahlberg Clackin' Crayfish 90 | 5 Inch | |
Southern Lure Scum Frog | ½-2 Inch | |
Gary Yamamoto Tate' Pencil Bait | 3-4 Inch |
Buying Guide of High-Quality Bass Lures
Like I said before, it’s so easy to get confused among 100’s of lures in any market. So before proceeding to the review section, I thought it’s necessary to explain the basics on how do we define a good bass lure.
What is a Bass Lure?
The bass lures, also known as fishing lures, are artificial baits. They are used to attract the fishes you want to catch. Because of the variations of colors, sizes, and shapes, also for performance, the fishes get attracted to the lures easily.
Talking about early ages of lures, Chinese people made and used the first bass lures a long time ago. It was not commercial at that time. They used to make their own bass lure using bronze. The Egyptians also used this method. But the Americans made it commercial later. Although it was commercial the purpose was the same.
But in the early 1900s, it had become commercial. The Americans started to do the business of fishing products so they made the bass fishing lures commercially. This is how the bass lures got into the market.
There are some important features that defines a quality bass lure-
- A bass lure uses various colors so it can attract a wide variety of fishes.
- Vibrating is another important feature for the bass lures. Because of vibrations, the fish can sense the position of the bass lure.
- The contain noise-making technology with it so that the fish can be attracted.
- The more lifelike a bass lure is the better performance you get from one. So the manufacturers make them look lifelike.
The first time Chinese created the product for catching fish easily. It was not commercial at that time. They used to make their own bass lure using bronze. The Egyptians also used this method. But the Americans made it commercial later. Although it was commercial the purpose was the same.
Bass Lures for Beginners
There are several types of bass lures on the market. These types are based on the water condition, the price of the lures etc. So you can choose one according to your need. You can choose one after judging your skill yourself as well. So let’s find out about the types of lures.
Soft Baits
Soft baits are very common bass lures. The name says it all. It is used for soft fishes. So for a beginner, this is just the right type of lure. The soft baits have many colors, shapes, and sizes. Because of these features, it is easy to choose one for a particular environment.
The price is also very reasonable. So you can buy a lot of baits at once and then experiment you fishing with them. You can use it in any weather condition and also in both saltwater and freshwater. Shallow water is applicable as well.
Crankbaits
Crankbaits are another type of fishing lure for a beginner. These are also known as plug baits. The main function of a crankbait is that it can run on water. So it reaches the prey itself. There is a bib under the head of the crankbaits. Because of this bib, it’s unstable. So it moves around all the time.
Crankbaits has either larger or smaller lips. The ones with the large mouth can go deeper. So choose it for deep-water fishing. As for the topwater bait, you can choose the one with smaller lips.
Jigs
Jigs are popular among the amateur fishers because it is very easy to use. There is a sharp tip on it and in the opposite, there is a lead head. For saltwater fishing, deep water jigs are used because they usually have more weight than the normal.
The body of the jig is a metal body. Usually, lead or tungsten is used to make the body so they are small in size but has good weight. Because of the weight, it sinks down more than other baits. So it’s good for deep water fishing.
Bass Lures for Professionals
Well, if you are a professional, you are in the right place. Here are few guidelines to choose your bass lures in an easy way. Just read and follow these instructions to get your best one.
Surface Lures
The surface lures are also known as stick baits, poppers or topwater lures. They can float on the surface of the water. So the other fishes notice that and come to it and fall into the trap.
These lures can also make noises or buzzing sounds. Because of the sounds, the fishes are attracted to the lures. They are a little difficult to use. So the professionals use these types of lures.
Spinnerbaits
Spinnerbaits are actually wires bent at an angle so that it can contain a hook below it. It also contains a flashy spinner on the top of it. These are for the professional fishers to use as they help to catch bigger and stronger fishes.
Larger spinnerbaits can spin faster in the water. So they are a handful if you use it warm water. Because of the quick motion, you can use it in mud as well. In case of cold water, smaller spinnerbaits are helpful.
There are different types of blades for a spinnerbait. You have to choose one according to the water condition you are fishing in. A good feature of this bait is that you can swap between smaller and larger blades whenever you want. So for a professional, this is one handy bait.
Benefits of Having a Bass Lure
Using a bass lure has a lot to offer you in your fishing experience. You can get a lot of benefits in your fishing if you use a bass lure.
- Bass lures attract many fishes so you can catch them easily.
- Fishing lures are helpful for fishing business as they can make you catch more fish than normal.
- The hooks in the lures are designed professionally. So if you use a fishing lure then there is less probability of a fish going away.
- A bass lure can imitate real life bugs and animals like frogs or other fishes. So this helps you attract bigger fishes.
- Moreover, it is very fun and exciting to use a bass lure because of its colors, shapes and the movements.
Buying Advice (Things to look out for)
Before buying a bass fishing lure try to fix a budget of your own. Because there are many products out there but you need the one that suits you the most. Try to choose cheaper once if you are not a professional. If you have a high budget buy the cheap ones so that you can buy more. Then practice with those.
After you become a professional you can buy the higher price lures. Simple lures are a great way to start. Experiment with different lures. Because by doing that you will find out which one goes best with your fishing condition.
Top 10 Best Bass Lures Reviews
We know that choosing the best product can be difficult. So to help you get rid of this problem we have researched and gathered the top 10 bass lures for you. We have categorized the products into two price ranges. So this will help you to find the perfect product for you easily. So let’s get started.
#01 Strike King Red Eye Shad Bait
The Strike King Red Eye Shad Bait is a lipless bass lure. But it is one of the best bass lures because of its actions. It has features that will amaze you. Many fishers look for a hook with an amazing action feature. You may be looking for one as well. You can stop searching as The Strike King Red Eye Shad Bait is here to fulfill your need. Let’s see what this product has to offer you.
Technical Specifications
- Weight: 1 to 2 Oz
- Shipping Weight: 1.00 Pound
- Hooks: VMC Cone Cut Hooks
- Crankbait: Lipless
Strike King Red Eye Shad Bait Overview
The Strike King Red Eye Shad Bait is another amazing bass lure for you. This features as a lipless crankbait. But it comes with two hooks that are to your advantage. The Strike King Red Eye Shad Bait has some awesome actions for your benefit. Also, it has some amazing paint job. Because of these, you get a lifelike figure of the bass lure.
Not only there are two hooks but also the hooks are premium. So you can use it over and over for a long period of time. But it won’t get damaged that easy. The Strike King Red Eye Shad Bait also features 3D eyes. So your bass fishing lure will look more realistic. It will help you to attract more fishes.
It has a free-floating rattle. This will give you one of the best action in terms of fishing with lures. This feature will also give you a perfect sound to attract fishes. The free-falling action of the Strike King Red Eye Shad Bait is amazing. Its body is unique. Because it has a shade style. Also, the VMC hooks are an important feature for this bass lure.
The hooks are Vanadium Cone Cut. Because of this hook design, the target will stick to the lure more tightly. To have a walk-the-dog action you can choose this lure without any doubt.
#02 Rebel Pop-R
Looks of a bass lure matters for many fishers. People not only fish for money or as a game, fishing is for fun. Many people have a hobby of fishing as well. As the looks matter The Rebel Pop-R is here for you. It is one of the top bass lures because of its color and classic design. This lure is here to make your fishing experience more fun and excited. To find out more about it below.
Technical Specifications
- Dimensions: 7 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches
- Shipping Weight: 2.1 Ounces
- Weight: ½ to 1/8 Oz
- Surface Strikes: Explosive
Rebel Pop-R Overview
The Rebel Pop-R makes your fishing in topwater more excited and fun. Its topwater popper is very standard. So you find it comfortable while fishing on topwater. It is very effective in both fast and slow line-retrieve. So you can use it for both fast fishing as competition. Or slow fishing as an outside hobby.
This product offers very good looking colors. For a lifelike or amazing color pattern, you can definitely choose The Rebel Pop R. This product also produces surface strikes that are explosive. So this attracts the fishes you want to catch. It also offers internal rattle so that the fishes can be attracted.
The dimensioning of this product shows you that you can carry and use it easily with your fishing rod. It’s very light so you can throw it further than normal. This product is an old ticker so it’s a bass smashing bait for topwater. You can catch both largemouth and smallmouth fishes with The Rebel Pop-R.
The Rebel Pop-R has a classic design. So an innumerable amount of bass was duped by this product. It also contains an internal rattle and scoops lip. Because of these, the fishes get more attracted to the bait. The dressed rear treble also attracts the fishes. So, if you are looking for a good looking lure then this one is for you.
#03 Rapala Ultra-Light Crank
The size of the bait matters as much as the weight. For some fishers’ smaller baits are preferable. But smaller baits don’t always have a good weight. So the Rapala Ultra-Light Crank is considered one of the good bass lures for its size and weight proportion. It’s small in size but has a higher weight. So you can buy this product if you are looking for a smaller but heavier fishing lures. Now let’s learn the details about the product.
Technical Specifications
- Length: 1 to 1/2 Inch
- Weight: 1/8 Oz
- Trolling Depth: 4 to 8 Inch
- Lip Design: Diving
- Action: Wobbling/Rolling
- Hooks: Black Nickel VMC
- Shipping Weight: 1 Pound
Rapala Ultra-Light Crank Overview
The Rapala Ultra-Light Crank is designed in such a way that it offers large action in small baits. It can dive down to 8 feet. That makes the diving deeper than most other lures. The product delivers rolling and wobbling action. Because it has a size 3 body.
When paused it can easily back out the cover because of the buoyant body. The size of The Rapala Ultra-Light Crank is small but the weight is high. So it is suitable for small but stronger fishes. Because of the size weight proportion in can work as a lure that is two to three times bigger than this one.
The Rapala Ultra-Light Crank also has external body scale. Because of this feature, the product looks really lifelike. Also, it contains holographic eyes. So the product looks even more realistic. A combination of holographic eyes with external body scale is amazing in this product.
The hook is VMC and it is black nickel hook. So it catches and keeps the fish stick strongly in the hook. The product is also hand tuned so its working ability is pure. And you can be sure of the durability because the Rapala Ultra-Light Crank is tank tested. So you can buy this product to catch smaller but stronger fish.
#04 Spro BBZ-1 Rat
I had to go through quite stressful research to find out the number one of perfect bass lures. Eventually, among many quality models, I came up with The Spro BBZ-1 Rat.
For fishing with bass lures people often focus on the looks of the product as well as the quality. The Spro BBZ-1 Rat is one of the high-quality bass lures mostly because of its durability. It is a very strong yet lightweight bass lure that will help you to catch larger fishes with ease. Also, this product looks very lifelike. So, manipulating the fish to fall into the trap will be easier than ever.
Technical Specifications
- Length (Without Tail): 4 to 5 inch
- Length (With Tail): 5 to 6 inch
- Weight: 1 to 2 Oz
- OAL: 6 to 10 inch
- Hooks: Sticky Sharp Gamakatsu
Spro BBZ-1 Rat Overview
The Spro BBZ-1 Rat has recently won the best lure award in the hardest lure category. It is perfect for fishing larger and stronger fishes. Its surface strike is amazing. The Spro BBZ-1 Rat can trigger the instinctive reaction that the larger fishes are looking for.
The length is suitable for throwing the bait at a right angle. It’s neither too large nor too small. Also, the weight is very comforting for you. When you have a heavier bass fishing lure you will find it uncomforting yourself. So the weight of The Spro BBZ-1 Rat is just perfect for you.
You can make The Spro BBZ-1 Rat work in many ways. You can V-walk it, bugle it, pop it, any way you like, you can do. The placement of the hook is also amazing because of the placement the hookup ratio is incredible.
The Spro BBZ-1 Rat provokes topwater strikes. So you can call it a topwater lure as well. You can use it in both freshwater and saltwater. This product will provide walk-the-dog action because it has single-joint profile. It will also provide a popping action that will trigger the fish to strike. This happens because of the durable square bill deliver.
The construction of this product is very sturdy. So you can throw it in the water again and again without damaging it. The tail gives a realistic look that helps to attract fish. So you can choose to buy the Spro BBZ-1 Rat bass fishing lure for its durability and quality.
#05 Heddon Sonar Lure
The Heddon Sonar Lure offers you an adjustable feature. This makes it one of the cheap bass lures. Sometimes you may want to fish in deep water and other times you may not. What if you could adjust your lure depending on your mood? The Heddon Sonar Lure will give you this opportunity. So let’s find out more about this amazing lure below.
Technical Specifications
- Length: 1 to 7 Inch
- Weight: 1 to 4 Oz
- Shipping Weight: 1 Pound
- Holes: Three Adjustment Holes
Heddon Sonar Lure Overview
The Heddon Sonar Lure is an adjustable action lure. Because you can adjust the position of the hook. You can also adjust the position of the place where you want to tie the knot. It has three holes where you can tie the hook or the knot. You can adjust the knot so that you can set it for going deep. Or adjust it to stay close to the surface of the water.
The lure can be jigged if you use the center hole. The vibration action of the Heddon Sonar Lure is perfect. Because of this, you can entice many clear water fishes. You can do this into the rod-busting strike. The lure will drop very fast. But if you want to drop it slowly then you can adjust it as well. Lowest you can go is 2 feet deep. Medium depth is 3 feet and the highest you will have is 4 feet.
As the lure drops quickly so it helps you to catch fish quickly. But sometimes it may fail to do so. But that is not a problem as you have the adjustable function with you. Other than that its length and weight is very user-friendly. So it helps you in every condition. So now you know all the basics about the Heddon Sonar Lure. You can choose it for your fishing if you want to have the benefit of adjusting your lure.
#06 Lucky Craft Pointer
For a professional Fisher, the center of the gravity of a bass lure doesn’t matter much. But for a beginner, it matters. It can be difficult for a beginner to fish with a lure that has a heavy center of gravity. The Lucky Craft Pointer is one of the good bass lures as it offers a low center of gravity. So it is just the right product for a beginner. Let’s find out more about this product below.
Technical Specifications
- Length: 3 inch
- Weight: 3 to 8 Oz
- Depth: 4 to 5 feet
- Type: Slow Suspending
- Hook Size: VMC #6
Lucky Craft Pointer Overview
The Lucky Craft Pointer has a very low center of gravity. Because it uses a special brass weight. When the retrieve motion of the lure stops this product starts to vibrate and wobble because it has the low center of gravity. It can go down to 4-5 feet.
The Lucky Craft Pointer can create intriguing bass-calling vibration. The vibration can be created even when the lure is in a suspended state. So that is very helpful for your fishing. It can generate the walk-the-dog action under water. Because it has a short twitch.
As you can see the length of this product is 3 inches. This makes the product suitable for fishing medium or larger fishes. If the product was too small it would be difficult for you to fish larger fishes. The weight of the Lucky Craft Pointer is user-friendly as well. Because it’s not that heavy.
The Lucky Craft Pointer is usable for surf fishing as well. It dives like a real-life fish. Also, it darts like one. You can choose the one you like most because it offers various colors. All the colors are life-like and look realistic. So you don’t have to worry about the looks. You can choose this product because it will help you to fish with more comfort.
#07 Jackall Bros Soul Shad
For a Fisher, the soul presentation of a bass lure is very important. Because it helps to attract the fishes. The more realistic the presentation is the better it is for you. So you may be thinking of buying a bass lure that has super realistic shad. Well, stop searching because The Jackall Bros. Soul shad is one of the quality bass lures for having this feature. Not only this the color variety is also an amazing feature of this product. Let’s take a look at this more below.
Technical Specifications
- Type: Suspend
- Shipping Weight: 2.7 gram
- Shad Presentation: Super Realistic
- Weight Moving System: Magnetic
- Color: Ghost ayu.
- Lure length: 48mm
Jackall Bros. Soul shad Overview
The Jackall Bros. Soul shad has the reward of world’s one of the best bass anglers. This product has soul presentation that looks super realistic. So when you tend to catch fish with this lure this will allow you to attract fish better. Because when the fishes school up it uses the tough fall bites.
It has the ability to outcast a competition. Because this product contains magnetic weight moving system. The system is for multipurpose as well. Because it also ensures suspend perfectly what happens when you pause. The depth range allows you fish deep inside a pond.
You can make a long throw with the Jackall Bros. Soul Shad. Then retrieve it back slowly. If you want you can retrieve it quickly as well. It supports both the retrieve speed. After retrieving you can even deadstick it. The Jackall Soul Bros. Shad is also available in an attractive color for you.
The product is a great combination of light and dark color. Not only it will help attracting the fishes due to its realistic presentation, but also it won’t look weary and dirty after use.
#08 River2Sea Dahlberg Clackin’ Crayfish 90
Many fishing lures have a lifelike visual. But it is rare to find a bass lure that actually moves as if it’s alive. Well, we are here to help you find this easily. The River2Sea Dahlberg Clackin’ Crayfish 90 is one of the greatest bass lures as it has lifelike moving feature. The colors are realistic as well. Because of which it attracts more fishes. So now let’s learn more about this product.
Technical Specifications
- Length: 5 inch
- Weight: 1 Oz
- Color: Blue-Olive
- Clc: 130 to 06
River2Sea Dahlberg Clackin’ Crayfish 90 Overview
The River2Sea Dahlberg Clackin’ Crayfish 90 has very detail color work on it. So it looks very realistic. On the water, it swims great because of its shape. When bottom crawling it you will notice that the product looks incredible. The hook of this product is sharp. So catching fish is easier and more comfortable for you.
It comes in various colors so you can choose one according to your need. The color can fade after rough use so you have to take care of it properly. You can put some clear nail polish on it so the colors don’t fade away. The best part of this product is that it has a lifelike movement or motion.
The movements of this product make it so real that it can easily fool the fishes you want to catch. The lips are hinged so they move just like real ones. The crawl of the product also moves when you drown it in water. So the fishes you are about to catch cannot resist coming to the bait.
The River2Sea Dahlberg Clackin’ Crayfish 90 is a suitable bass lure in a muddy place as well. Freshwater or saltwater is not an issue in this case. But what makes it special is that it even works on muddy water. This is an amazing feature. So you can choose the River2Sea Dahlberg Clackin’ Crayfish 90 if you are looking for a lure that moves as if it’s alive.
#09 Southern Lure Scum Frog Popper
Fishing in the ponds is very common. But ponds have a defect while you fish. They are filled with muds or weed beds. So, how can you fish there with a fishing lure? Do not worry. Because The Southern Lure Scum Frog Popper is here for you. The ability to work properly in an unsuitable condition makes it one of the top bass lures. You can learn more about The Southern Lure Scum Frog Popper below.
Technical Specifications
- Length: ½ to 2 Inch
- Weight: 3/8 to 5/8 Oz
- Hook: 4/0 to 6/0
- Shipping Weight: 0.2 Ounces
Southern Lure Scum Frog Popper Overview
The Southern Lure Scum Frog will help you to fish in a pond filled with weed beds or lily pads etc. It can pop and gurgle effortlessly. So the fishes you want to catch hears the gurgle and falls into your trap. So you can easily catch your prey.
It makes more noise than most other bass fishing lures. The noise is very helpful in case of your fishing. Because the noise makes the fishes come to your trap.
Another wonderful feature of The Southern Lure Scum Frog Popper is that it can access difficult areas. Many bass fishing lures cannot access areas that are filled with muds or weed beds etc. But The Southern Lure Scum Frog Popper can access those areas as well. So you can feel comfortable while fishing in a rough area.
The Southern Lure Scum Frog Popper will not catch moss or mud on its body. Because it is designed in such a way to ignore the muds. This product is wheedled. But it has a soft body. So you can have plenty of catch power with it. In heavy cover, you can fish fast or slow with The Southern Lure Scum Frog Popper. So this can be a perfect fishing lure for you to fish in a muddy pond or in a pond full of weed beds.
#10 Gary Yamamoto Tate’ Pencil Bait
Fishing is always a fun thing to do. That’s why we make it our hobby. But sitting on the shore and waiting for a prey to come is always a boring job to do. So if there is a product that can entertain you while fishing would you not love to have that? The Gary Yamamoto Tate’ Pencil Bait is that kind of product. It is one the good bass lures because of its ability to dance on the water. The feature is actually for attracting prey but it gives you entertainment at the same times. Let’s find out more about the product below.
Technical Specifications
- Length: 3 to 4 Inch
- Weight: 7/16 to 9/16 Oz
- Hook: Mustad Triple Grip
Gary Yamamoto Tate’ Pencil Bait Overview
“Tate” means “Dance” in Japanese. So this product is made in such a way that it can dance on the surface of the water if you can make it work properly.
It is a walk-the-dog classic topwater bait. Mustad triple grip is used as the hook. Because of this hook, you can throw it further. Therefore, long-distance fishing is applicable to this awesome bass fishing lure. It has lifelike acoustic footprints. So it looks very real.
This product also features the 3D holographic foil which is also a feature because of which it looks real. Custom tunes action makes you can tune the action by yourself. But the classic walk-the-dog action is also available here. You can make it sashay even by the novices in place.
Experienced anglers can use The Gary Yamamoto Tate’ Pencil Bait and make it dance on water as well. You can also make it imitate the wounded prey as well. The Gary Yamamoto Tate’ Pencil Bait is deadly on surface water. But it can also be deadly in deep water.
The Gary Yamamoto Tate’ Pencil Bait can attract even the most uninterested preys. Because its visuals and performance cannot be resisted. So you can choose this product for its ability for attracting fishes.
Final Verdict
As long as you’re not aware of all the pros and cons of a product you are desiring to buy, you’re probably investing your money in vain. No offense, but this is what actually happening now in the market.
But as you are in the last section of this review, I have a pretty confident that you’re not one of such customers. With a complete knowledge on the best bass lures of present market, you’ll easily find your best match.
Just one little advice before I finish. Don’t judge any lure just on its design and price. Make sure it’s manipulating enough for the big catches on the lake.
Good luck with your fishing!
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