10 Best Fishing Lures for Largemouth Bass (2025 Pro Guide)

We've all been there. You're on a lake full of Largemouth Bass, yet you can't seem to buy a bite. For years, I blamed bad luck, but the hard truth was simpler: I wasn't using the right gear. My frustrating journey led me to obsessively figure out what the best fishing lures for largemouth bass actually are, a process that ultimately inspired me to create riversiderelics.com. This guide is the playbook I wish I had back then—the result of countless skunked trips, designed to help you crack the code and start putting more fish in the boat.

The Golden Rule: Target Largemouth Behavior, Not Generic "Bass"

The first step in learning how to fish for largemouth bass is understanding that their behavior is completely different from their Smallmouth cousin. This knowledge directly dictates your lure choice. Here's the essential breakdown:

They Ambush from Heavy Cover 

A Largemouth lives in the thickest available cover (weeds, wood, docks) and won't chase a lure over long distances. Your strategy must be to use weedless presentations that can get right in front of them. Prioritize a heavy Jig, a streamlined Texas Rig, or a hollow-body Frog.

They Want a Big, Easy Meal

Their large mouth is built for eating substantial prey like bluegills and crawfish, not tiny minnows. To trigger this feeding instinct, you must choose lures with a bigger, bulkier profile. A fat-bodied crankbait, a Jig with a chunky trailer, or a large topwater plug will get the job done.

The Top 10 "Go-To" Lures for Largemouth Bass

1. The Jig

Often called the "king" for a reason, the jig isn't just effective for largemouth; it's a foundational tool and a non-negotiable staple on any credible list of the best lures for bass in general. For the largemouth angler specifically, it's the perfect combination of a bulky profile (when paired with a trailer) and a head design that allows it to penetrate thick cover flawlessly, mimicking a defensive crawfish-a meal no big bass can refuse.

• Specific sub-types: Flipping/Pitching Jig, Football Jig, Finesse Jig, Swim Jig.
• Common weights & sizes: 3/8 oz and 1/2 oz are the most versatile.
• Go-to colors: You can't go wrong with these three: Green Pumpkin, Black/Blue, and PB&J (Peanut Butter & Jelly).
• The technique: A slow drag across the bottom, short hops, or stroking it off the bottom and letting it fall on a slack line.
• The trailer: Always pair your jig with a soft plastic trailer like a craw or creature bait to add bulk and secondary action.
• Specific product recommendations: Strike King Hack Attack Jig, Z-Man CrossEyeZ Flippin' Jig.
• The recommended setup: A 7'2" - 7'6" Medium-Heavy power, Fast action casting rod, a 7.x:1 gear ratio baitcaster, and 17lb Fluorocarbon line.

2. The Texas Rig

The most versatile and weedless technique in bass fishing. A Texas-rigged soft plastic can be thrown anywhere - into thick brush, grass, or wood with minimal snagging, making it a cornerstone of the "heavy cover" principle.

• Key plastic types: Stick Baits (like the Senko), Ribbon Tail Worms, Craws, and Creature Baits.
• Common weights & sizes: The weight is a bullet sinker, typically 1/4 oz to 3/8 oz. Popular lure sizes are 5" for stick baits and 7-10" for worms.
• Go-to colors: Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Red, Black/Blue.
• The technique: A slow drag across the bottom, short hops, or "dead-sticking"-letting it sit motionless for several seconds.
• Pairing: A glass bead between the weight and the hook can be added to create a "clicking" sound.
• Specific product recommendations: For the plastic: Gary Yamamoto Senko, Zoom Ol' Monster, Strike King Rage Craw.
• The recommended setup: A 7' to 7'3" Medium-Heavy power, Fast action casting rod, and 15-17lb Fluorocarbon line. Its versatility makes the Texas Rig a fundamental technique to master for anyone serious about using fishing lures for largemouth bass.

3. The Hollow Body Frog

The ultimate weapon for fishing over the thickest, most impenetrable cover like matted grass and lily pads. It perfectly mimics a large, easy meal.

• Specific sub-types: Walking Frog (standard pointed nose), Popping Frog (cupped mouth).
• Common weights & sizes: 1/2 oz to 5/8 oz are the most versatile sizes.
• Go-to colors: Black, White, Green/Brown.
• The technique: "Walk the dog" in open pockets between vegetation. Crucial Tip: After the explosion, wait 1-2 seconds to feel the fish's weight before setting the hook hard.
• Pairing: None needed.
• Specific product recommendations: SPRO Bronzeye Frog 65, Booyah Pad Crasher.The recommended setup: A 7'3" to 7'6" Heavy power, Fast action casting rod and mandatory 50-65 lb Braided line.

4. The Spinnerbait

A phenomenal tool for covering water quickly and triggering reaction strikes, especially on windy or overcast days.

• Specific sub-types: Blades define the type: Willow (speed/flash), Colorado (vibration/lift), Tandem (a mix of both).
• Common weights & sizes: 3/8 oz and 1/2 oz will cover most situations.
• Go-to colors: Chartreuse/White, Solid White, Bluegill patterns.
• The technique: A steady retrieve, known as "slow-rolling," making sure to bump it off cover.
• Pairing: Optional, but a soft plastic trailer like a small swimbait adds bulk and action.
• Specific product recommendations: War Eagle Spinnerbait, Strike King KVD Finesse Spinnerbait.
• The recommended setup: 7' Medium-Heavy power, Moderate-Fast action casting rod with 15-20lb Fluorocarbon line.

5. The Bladed Jig (aka "The ChatterBait")

Arguably the most dominant lure of the last decade, the bladed jig has earned its spot on every professional's list of the best fishing lures for largemouth bass. It combines the intense vibration of a crankbait with the profile of a jig, making it an irresistible offering.

• Specific sub-types: Standard Bladed Jig, Finesse Bladed Jig.
• Common weights & sizes: 3/8 oz and 1/2 oz are the go-to choices.
• Go-to colors: Green Pumpkin, Black/Blue, White.
• The technique: Primarily a straight, steady retrieve. The magic happens when you vary the speed or give the rod a sharp twitch, causing the bait to hunt erratically.
• Pairing: Essential. A swimbait trailer or a craw-style trailer is a must-have.
• Specific product recommendations: Z-Man ChatterBait Jack Hammer, Z-Man ChatterBait Elite EVO.
• The recommended setup: 7'3" Medium-Heavy power, Fast action casting rod with 17-20 lb Fluorocarbon line.

6. The Squarebill Crankbait

Designed to be fished in shallow water and crashed into hard cover like laydowns, stumps, and rocks.

• Specific sub-types: Models are defined by diving depth (e.g., 1.5, 2.5). Material: Balsa wood vs. Plastic.
• Common weights & sizes: The "1.5" size (3-6 feet depth) is the most popular.
• Go-to colors: Shad patterns, Chartreuse with a Black Back, Red/Crawfish patterns.
• The technique: The key is deflection. Unlike many other fishing lures for largemouth bass that you try to keep clean, the squarebill is designed to be crashed into cover. The erratic action after it deflects is the strike trigger.
• Pairing: None needed.
• Specific product recommendations: Strike King KVD 1.5, Rapala BX Brat.
• The recommended setup: A 7' Medium power, Moderate action casting rod, preferably made of fiberglass, with 12-15 lb Fluorocarbon line.

7. The Topwater Walking Bait

Responsible for some of the most exciting explosions in fishing, perfect for calling fish up on calm mornings and evenings.

• Specific sub-types: Classic "Spook" style, Pencil Poppers.
• Common weights & sizes: A 4.5-inch model is a great starting point.
• Go-to colors: Bone, Chrome, Clear, Black.
• The technique: "Walk the Dog," a rhythm of rod twitches on a semi-slack line causing the lure to glide side-to-side.
• Pairing: None needed.
• Specific product recommendations: Heddon Zara Spook, Evergreen Shower Blows.
• The recommended setup: 6'8" to 7' Medium power, Fast action casting rod with 15-20 lb Monofilament line.

8. The Creature Bait

A bulky soft plastic with numerous appendages designed to create a large profile and a lot of subtle movement.

• Specific sub-types: Brush Hog style, Beaver style (compact for flipping), Rage style (aggressive kicking action).
• Common weights & sizes: 4 to 5 inches is the sweet spot.
• Go-To Colors: Green Pumpkin, Black/Blue, Watermelon Candy.
• The technique: Used as a trailer for a jig or rigged on a Texas Rig for flipping and pitching into heavy cover.
• Pairing: It is the trailer or the main lure on a rig.
• Specific product recommendations:  Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver, Strike King Rage Bug.
• The recommended setup: A 7'3"+ Medium-Heavy or Heavy power casting rod with 17-20 lb Fluorocarbon or 50lb Braid.

9. The Jerkbait

While many anglers focus on bottom-contact baits, the suspending jerkbait is a secret weapon that solidifies its place among the best fishing lures for largemouth bass, especially for cold water or when fish are suspended.

• Specific sub-types: Suspending (most popular), Floating, Sinking.
• Common weights & sizes: The 110mm size is the industry standard.
• Go-to colors: Natural and translucent shad/minnow patterns.
• The technique: The cadence is everything: Twitch-Twitch-PAUSE. The strike almost always occurs during the PAUSE.
• Pairing: None needed.
• Specific product recommendations: Megabass Vision 110, Rapala Shadow Rap.
• The recommended setup: 6'8" to 7' Medium power, Fast action casting rod with 10-12 lb Fluorocarbon line.

10. The Punching Rig

A heavy-duty, specialized technique designed to penetrate the thickest overhead cover to reach giant bass hiding below.

• Specific sub-types: A component system: heavy tungsten weight, bobber stop, punch skirt, heavy-duty flipping hook, and a compact soft plastic.
• Common weights & sizes: The weight is key: 1 oz to 2 oz tungsten is standard.
• Go-to colors: Dark colors for maximum silhouette: Black/Blue, Green Pumpkin.
• The technique: Pitch or flip the rig onto matted vegetation. The heavy weight will "punch" through the canopy. Yo-yo the bait a few times and repeat.
• Pairing: The compact soft plastic is the primary lure component.
• Specific product recommendations: (Components) VMC Tungsten Worm Weights, Owner Heavy Duty Flipping Hook, Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver.
• The recommended setup: A 7'6" to 8' Heavy or Extra-Heavy power casting rod and 65 lb+ Braided line are mandatory.