| Most lures designed to be worked on the surface | | | | crankbaits are a good choice when the water is |
| can be divided into sub-groups, including Chuggers | | | | around 60 degrees in the spring. Deep crankbaits |
| (has a concave mouth that spits water when | | | | work good in early summer when bass are moving |
| chugged), Splash Baits (plain, cigar shaped lures for | | | | to deeper offshore structure like weedlines, midlake |
| dog walking), Prop-Baits (usually with propellers fore | | | | humps and drop offs. I have a couple shallow divers ( |
| and aft), Twitch Baits (slender minnow-shaped lures | | | | less than 5 feet ) and a couple deep divers ( 10 to |
| with a small diving lip) and BuzzBaits (has a churning | | | | 14 feet ). I carry the basic colors in each category - |
| blade over a skirted body). | | | | a shad pattern for clear to dingy water and a bluegill |
| Except for Buzzbaits, topwater lures are designed to | | | | sunfish pattern with chartreuse on it. |
| imitate an injured baitfish. A Buzzbait is an exciter or | | | | Lipless Rattle Lures |
| agitator lure. Surface baits have the potential of | | | | These vibrating lures have a internal rattle that |
| catching bass anytime the water temperature is | | | | produces a lot of noise. Sinking rattle baits can be fish |
| above the mid-50's. Topwater lures are also effective | | | | at almost any depth. In cold water, bump the bottom |
| anytime bass are in shallow water or when bass are | | | | during the retrieve like a jig. I've also fish these lures |
| shadowing baitfish schools near the surface over | | | | over submerged weedbeds during the late spring and |
| deep water. Personally, my favorite topwater lures | | | | summer or cast them to surface schooling bass. I |
| are the Chugger, a Splashbait and a buzzbait. | | | | carry a chrome/blue colored lure. |
| JerkBaits | | | | Spinnerbaits |
| Hard-bodied jerkbaits also imitate injured baitfish, only | | | | Spinnerbaits feature a Y shaped wire with a skirted |
| they do it a few feet under the water surface. They | | | | leadhead and revolving blades. The hook is protected |
| are similar in body style as a twitch bait, jerkbaits | | | | by the overhead wire which makes it rather |
| have a slightly large lip so it can dive 4 to 8 feet and | | | | snag-resistant lure that can be fished through |
| are often weighted to suspend during pauses in the | | | | vegetation, wood and rock cover. |
| retrieve. | | | | Spinnerbaits can be slow-rolled at middepths or used |
| Jerkbaits are directed at moderately active bass that | | | | as a bottom bumper. Depending on how and where it |
| can be teased into striking. Deep jerkbaits are very | | | | is presented, a spinnerbait can produce in any water |
| effective in water temperatures as low as 45 | | | | temperature. Spinnerbaits are so versatile, anglers |
| degrees using a slow pull-pause retrieve. I carry ones | | | | tend to acquire large numbers of them. A couple |
| with a baitfish pattern. | | | | basic spinnerbaits will take care of most fishing |
| CrankBaits | | | | situations. I recommend choosing a spinnerbait with a |
| These hard-bodied lures with a diving-swimming lip are | | | | Colorado-blade model for maximum vibration and a |
| designed to be retrieved steadily. How deep it runs | | | | willow-leaf model for maximum flash. |
| depends on the size and shape of the lip. Shallow | | | | |