The 10 Best Bass Lures for Spring Fishing (2025 Guide)

Spring is the most exciting season for bass fishing, but it can also be the most confusing. Finding the best fishing lures for spring bass can feel overwhelming, but it's the key to turning a slow day into an unforgettable one. Stop wasting your time and money on gimmicks.

As a long-time angler, I've tested countless lures and have ruthlessly culled the ones that don't perform. This guide will show you the proven winners. If you want a deeper dive into how to fish for bass in spring, check out my in-depth guide to spring bass behavior. Otherwise, let's get straight to the weapons that will get you bit.

This blog in riversiderelics.com is broken into three groups: Search Baits (to find active fish fast), Cover Baits (for specific types of structure), and Finesse Baits (when the bite gets tough).

Search Baits - The Best Lures for Springtime Bass Fishing

Use these to cover water quickly and locate active schools of fish.

1. Lipless Crankbait

A noise and vibration machine designed to wake fish up from a distance.

• The Golden Window: Mid-spring (the pre-spawn stage), when water temps are around 50-60°F (10-15°C). Ideal for fishing over submerged grass flats or large, flat points.
• Why It Works: In this phase, bass are roaming and feeding aggressively. The loud rattles and hard vibration of a lipless crankbait allow fish to hone in on it from far away, triggering a reaction strike.
• Recommended Gear Setup: Rod: 7'0"-7'4", Medium Power, Moderate Action; Reel: Baitcasting, 7.x:1; Line: 15lb Fluorocarbon.
• My Go-To Picks: Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap, Rapala Rippin' Rap.

2. Spinnerbait

The perfect blend of flash and vibration, a must-have in any collection of spring bass fishing lures. In fact, its sheer versatility solidifies its place on nearly any list of the best bass fishing lures for year-round success.

• The Golden Window: Mid-spring, especially on windy or overcast days that reduce water clarity and make bass less wary.
• Why It Works: Wind and clouds provide cover for bass. The spinnerbait's blades create a flash that mimics baitfish scales, while the body provides a "thump" that appeals to the bass's lateral line.
• Recommended Gear Setup: Rod: 6'10"-7'2", Medium-Heavy Power, Fast Action; Reel: Baitcasting, 6.x:1; Line: 17lb Fluorocarbon or Monofilament.
• My Go-To Picks: War Eagle Screaming Eagle, Booyah Pond Magic.

3. Chatterbait (Bladed Jig) 

An intense vibration machine that has quickly become the best lure for spring bass fishing in grassy lakes for many pros.

• The Golden Window: The heart of the pre-spawn stage (55-65°F / 12-18°C), when bass are aggressive and looking for a substantial meal.
• Why It Works: The hexagonal blade on the front creates a violent side-to-side shake and intense vibration that is unlike any other lure. It imitates panicked prey, triggering a bass's predatory instinct to chase and kill.
• Recommended Gear Setup: Rod: 7'3", Medium-Heavy Power, Moderate-Fast Action; Reel: Baitcasting, 7.x:1; Line: 17-20lb Fluorocarbon.
• My Go-To Picks: Z-Man ChatterBait Jack Hammer, Z-Man Original ChatterBait.

4. Swimbait (Paddle Tail) 

The ultimate tool for realistically imitating baitfish and a key part of your bass fishing lures for spring arsenal.

• The Golden Window: All through spring, but it excels in clearer water where bass are feeding on shad or bluegill.
• Why It Works: Nothing looks more natural than a small fish swimming. A swimbait allows you to present a realistic imitation at any depth with a customized speed, fooling even the wisest bass.
• Recommended Gear Setup: Rod: 7'3", Medium-Heavy Power, Fast Action; Reel: Baitcasting or Spinning; Line: 15lb Fluorocarbon.
• My Go-To Picks: Keitech FAT Swing Impact (3.8") on a Keitech Super Round jig head.

Cover-Specific Baits

Once you've located fish holding tight to cover, use these to get your lure in their face.

5. Jig 

The master of picking apart cover and one of the most effective early spring bass fishing lures you can own.

• The Golden Window: Early spring (when bass need a big, slow meal) and during the spawn (when bass are holding tight to cover near their beds).
• Why It Works: Crawfish are a high-protein food source, critical for female bass developing their eggs. A jig represents a nutritious, easy meal that a sluggish bass doesn't want to pass up.
• Recommended Gear Setup: Rod: 7'2"-7'6", Heavy Power, Fast Action; Reel: Baitcasting, 7.x:1 or 8.x:1; Line: 17-20lb Fluorocarbon.
• My Go-To Picks: Strike King Bitsy Bug Jig, Z-Man CrossEyeZ Flipping Jig.

6. Squarebill Crankbait 

It works by deflecting erratically off cover, making it one of the best lures for bass that are territorial.

• The Golden Window: Mid-spring, when bass move into shallow areas (3-6 feet) with a lot of wood, rock, or laydowns.
• Why It Works: Bass are territorial. When a squarebill crankbait bangs into its "house" and deflects, it triggers an aggressive, protective instinct.
• Recommended Gear Setup: Rod: 7'0", Medium Power, Moderate Action; Reel: Baitcasting, 6.x:1; Line: 12-15lb Monofilament.
• My Go-To Picks: Strike King KVD 1.5, Lucky Craft 1.5.

7. Tube Bait 

Incredibly versatile, imitating both baitfish and crawfish with a unique spiral fall.

• The Golden Window: The spawning phase, for bed fishing.
• Why It Works: The spiraling fall of a tube looks like a nest-robbing creature (like a goby or crawfish), forcing the male bass to grab it and move it away.
• Recommended Gear Setup: Rod: 7'0", Medium Power, Fast Action (Spinning); Reel: Spinning, 2500 size; Line: 10lb Braid to an 8lb Fluorocarbon leader.
• My Go-To Picks: Strike King Coffee Tube, Dry Creek Tube.

Finesse Baits

When the bite gets tough, these are your secret weapons.

8. Senko/Stick Bait (Wacky & Texas Rig) 

Its natural, subtle action is something bass can't resist, making it one of the best bass lures for spring fishing when the bite gets tough and finesse is required.

• The Golden Window: The spawn and post-spawn periods, when bass are shallow and extremely wary.
• Why It Works: The slow, shimmying fall of a Senko is non-threatening; it looks like an easy meal and coaxes a natural feeding response from pressured fish.
• Recommended Gear Setup: Rod: 6'10", Medium-Light Power, Fast Action (Spinning); Reel: Spinning, 2500 size; Line: 8-10lb Braid to an 8lb Fluorocarbon leader.
• My Go-To Picks: Gary Yamamoto Senko (5-inch).

9. The Ned Rig 

The "get a bite" lure. When all else fails, the Ned Rig will save your day.

• The Golden Window: Anytime the bite is tough. It excels after cold fronts, on bright bluebird days, or on highly pressured lakes.
• Why It Works: It's small, non-threatening, and stands straight up on the bottom, looking like an effortless meal for a stressed-out bass.
• Recommended Gear Setup: Rod: 7'0", Medium-Light Power, Extra Fast Action (Spinning); Reel: Spinning, 2000-2500 size; Line: 8lb Braid to a 6-8lb Fluorocarbon leader.
• My Go-To Picks: Z-Man Finesse TRD (the plastic) on a Z-Man Finesse ShroomZ jig head.

10. Topwater Lures 

The most exciting way to catch bass, these are classic late spring bass fishing lures.

• The Golden Window: Late spring, when the water temperature is stable above 60°F (15°C). Ideal during calm mornings and evenings.
• Why It Works: After the spawn, bass feed aggressively to recover. A topwater lure imitating a struggling baitfish will trigger violent territorial and feeding strikes.
• Recommended Gear Setup (Walker): Rod: 6'8", Medium Power, Fast Action; Reel: Baitcasting, 7.x:1; Line: 12lb Monofilament.
• My Go-To Picks: Heddon Super Spook Jr. (Walker), Rebel Pop-R (Popper).