Best Bass Lures for Beginners: 6 Lures and How to Fish Them
Updated October 2026 · 4 min read
Quick answer
Start with a soft plastic stick worm, a spinnerbait, a square-bill crankbait, and a topwater popper. Together they cover shallow and mid-depth water in every season. Add a jig and a bladed jig once you're comfortable.
Bass lure aisles are overwhelming, but a handful of lure types catch most bass across the country. Each one below is easy to learn, and together they let you fish the top, the middle, and the bottom of the water. For each lure you'll learn when to use it and exactly how to fish it.
The 6 lures at a glance
| Lure | Depth | Difficulty | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft plastic stick worm | Any | Very easy | All year |
| Spinnerbait | Shallow–mid | Very easy | Spring, fall, windy or stained water |
| Square-bill crankbait | 1–6 ft | Easy | Spring, fall, around cover |
| Topwater popper | Surface | Easy | Early morning, evening, summer |
| Jig | Bottom | Medium | All year, especially cold water |
| Bladed jig (chatterbait) | Shallow–mid | Easy | Spring through fall, grass |
1. Soft plastic stick worm
If you only buy one bass lure, buy a pack of 5-inch stick worms. They look like nothing special, but they sink slowly with a natural shimmy that bass can't ignore.
- Wacky rig: hook the worm through the middle on a small hook and let it fall on slack line. Easiest rig in fishing.
- Texas rig: hook it weedless with an offset worm hook and a small bullet weight to fish through weeds and wood.
- How to fish it: cast, let it sink, lift the rod tip slowly, and let it fall again. Most bites come on the fall — watch your line.
2. Spinnerbait
A spinnerbait has metal blades that flash and thump, and it rarely snags, so you can run it past logs, docks, and weeds. It's one of the best lures for windy days and stained water.
How to fish it: cast past your target and reel at a steady speed so the blades spin just below the surface, or let it sink and slow-roll it deeper. See best spinnerbaits.
3. Square-bill crankbait
A square-bill crankbait dives a few feet and wobbles hard. The square lip helps it bounce off rocks and wood instead of snagging — and those bounces often trigger bites.
How to fish it: cast and reel steadily so it digs down and knocks into cover. Pause for a second after it hits something. A moderate-action rod helps the treble hooks stay in — see rod length and power.
4. Topwater popper
Nothing beats watching a bass blow up on a surface lure. A popper has a cupped face that spits water when you twitch it, and it's the easiest topwater lure to learn.
How to fish it: cast, let the rings fade, then give a short sharp twitch. Pause, and repeat. Wait until you feel the fish before you set the hook — don't react to the splash alone. Fish it early, late, and on cloudy days.
5. Jig
A jig is a weighted hook with a skirt, usually paired with a soft plastic trailer that looks like a crawfish. It catches some of the biggest bass, especially in cold water and around heavy cover.
How to fish it: drop it near cover, let it hit bottom, then hop or drag it slowly. Bites often feel like a light tick or the line moving sideways — reel down and set the hook hard. A medium-heavy rod and fluorocarbon or braid help here; see braid vs mono vs fluorocarbon.
6. Bladed jig (chatterbait)
A bladed jig has a metal blade in front of a jig head that makes it vibrate hard. It's a top choice around grass and in stained water, and it's as easy to fish as a spinnerbait.
How to fish it: cast and reel steadily, fast enough to feel the vibration. Rip it free when it touches grass — that's when many strikes happen.
What color lures should you buy?
| Water | Good colors |
|---|---|
| Clear | Natural: green pumpkin, watermelon, shad, translucent |
| Stained | Brighter: chartreuse, white, firetiger |
| Muddy or night | Dark, solid: black, black and blue |
Which lure for each season
- Spring: spinnerbaits, square-bills, and stick worms as bass move shallow.
- Summer: topwater early and late, worms and jigs near deep cover midday.
- Fall: crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and bladed jigs where baitfish gather.
- Winter: slow jigs and worms near the bottom — fish slowly.
Compare our picks in best bass lures, and set up the right line with our line size chart.
Ready to buy?
Our recommended guides
Best SpinnerbaitsEasy, snag-resistant lures for beginners.
Our #1 pick: BOOYAH Pond Magic Spinnerbait
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best bass lure for beginners?
A soft plastic stick worm on a wacky or Texas rig. It is cheap, easy to fish, and catches bass in almost any water and season.
What color lure is best for bass?
Natural colors like green pumpkin in clear water, bright colors like chartreuse or white in stained water, and dark colors like black and blue in muddy water or at night.
What time of day is best for bass fishing?
Early morning and evening are usually best, especially in summer. Cloudy days can be good all day.
Do I need a baitcasting reel for bass lures?
No. A medium-power spinning rod handles stick worms, small crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and poppers. Baitcasters help with heavy jigs and thick cover.
How many lures does a beginner need?
Four to six types in a couple of colors each is plenty to start. Learn to fish them well before buying more.