Catching bass on lures is potentially one of the most exciting styles of angling the UK has to offer, made even better when you're armed with the best lures. Arriving at the sea on a summer dawn morning with nobody else around and the anticipation of what could be out there really gets the adrenaline going. The solitude and peace this style of angling can present, with just the angler against nature, is what fishing is really all about, and I can't get enough of it!
You will get moments of sheer excitement when your lure is smashed by a hungry bass, with size becoming irrelevant as they all hit with the same ferocity and power. It doesn’t matter how many times you get this sensation, it’s as exhilarating as it was the first time you get hit. A hard-fighting, incredible-looking fish that will have you experiencing some of the best coastlines in the UK, bass fishing with lures really does take some beating, and is why many anglers, like myself, dedicate their lives to catching them.
The best lures for bass fishing at a glance
They are generally very aggressive fish, feeding on all manners of prey, and as such you can catch bass on many different lures, in fact, you can even catch them on the fly. Surface lures, shads, diving plugs you name it, bass can and will be caught on all of them. As with all angling, however, some are just more effective than others. Here is a guide to some of the best lures available I have found to use when bass fishing, get out there and give them a try…
How I tested the best bass fishing lures
These bass fishing lures were tested by experienced members of the Angling Times team. We have been using and abusing lures like these for decades and have probably used most, if not all of them during our time on the bank, so we know the best from the rest!
Tackle tester, Aidan Bordiuk has been using a variety of lures in varying scenarios to ensure they perform how they are supposed to for the given method they were designed! Whether it be beach fishing, fishing from rocky marks, harbours and estuaries or trying to tempt a bass off the top, these lures have been thoroughly tested so we can give a rounded review!
Our decision process of what makes the best lures for bass fishing takes into account various factors including price point, how well they cast and perform, build quality and usability to ensure we can give you the best advice on factors that will make an actual different to your angling.
The following list includes a mixture of our favourites for all types of bass fishing you are likely to encounter! Find out how we test our gear, HERE.
When it comes to soft plastic baits, the Fiiish Minnow really does take some beating. The action the lure has and the endless colours that it's available in just seem to prove irresistible to bass and anglers find themselves using them time and time again.
Of all the soft plastic lures I have used, I find myself coming back to this lure, it is awesome! It can be fished in a multitude of scenarios and with different techniques and I would say if you are fishing for bass for the first time or are really struggling to tempt them, the Fish Minnow should be your go to lure. The black and pink varieties are my personal favourites and just seem to get you a fish when everything else fails!
The lures have a detachable head so you can swap the bodies for a different colour or if they get damaged, and the weedless design ensures you won’t get snagged up, making them ideal for rougher ground. The jig head comes in six styles depending on the depth of water you’re fishing in, and weights from 6g-190g. If I am fishing from the shore I find the no2 and no3 versions the best sizes as they will catch bass of all sizes and cast quite well too, couples with a 10g shore bighead is usually a banker combo!
The lure bodies come in 19 colours from Fluoro varieties to the infamous and ever faithful Black Minnow, a colour which seems to take more bass than any other. These lures work best on a slower, constant retrieve and are a must have if you fish soft plastic baits.
Pros
- Very realistic swimming action
- Weedless design reduces snagging up
Cons
- They are soft plastic, so they are prone to being destroyed, although they are very tough
The Xorus Patchinko has cemented itself as one of, if not the best surface lure currently available for bass fishing in the UK. Its sweeping side-to-side action just seems too much to resist for bass, and you wouldn’t be wrong in saying this lure accounts for more bass off the surface than any other.
I have found these lures to be incredibly effective and although they are eye-wateringly expensive compared to many other lures, they are worth the investment as they are simply better and you will forget about the price when you hook the bass of a lifetime! The lures are tail-weighted and with their streamlined body, even the lighter versions cast like bullets and with a low diameter braid it still surprises me how you can punch them out.
The lure sits upright and can be retrieved just by reeling, but opting for a flick of the rop tip will impart loads of action into the lure, and this seems to drive the bass crazy. However I have found varying the retrieve really helps and don't be tempted to strike, as hard as it is, when a bass hits, as often they are stunning the lure with their flank and they will hit it again shortly after. A steady reel is often all that is need to set the hook.
Available in various sizes from 7cm to 14cm and in various weights, the most productive seems to be the 10cm-12.5cm sizes, and you will catch bass from 12oz to 12lb on them. There are lots of colours in the range, as expected with most lures these days, all working on their day, but anglers seem to favour the white (Blanc) versions or the more silver/natural colours.
As with all surface lures, you should opt to use the Rapala Knot as this will greatly improve the movement of the lure!
Pros
- Fantastic action
- Long cast design
Cons
- The treble can wrap around the line occasionally, changing to singles can help prevent this
Best suspending lure for bass fishing
No lure guide would be complete without a world-famous Rapala lure included. Their reputation and longevity has come from making lures that do what they are meant to…catch fish, and they certainly do that!
The Rapala X-Rap Saltwater is a lure built for the harshest environments and hardest-hitting fish imaginable, so you can be sure this lure will last the test of time. The lure is a suspending bait, meaning it doesn’t sink or float, once you have wound it down to the desired depth, just flicking the tip with a very slow retrieve will cause the lure to roll and twitch at that depth.
The advantage of a lure like this is if you only have a small area the bass are holding up in you can keep the lure working in their eye lines for as long as possible to try to induce a take. The X-Rap is available in 8cm, 10cm, 12cm, and 14cm and comes in an array of lifelike colours, this lure is great for shallow water when the bass aren’t willing to take a surface lure.
Pros
- Suspending design offers something different
- Very durable lures
Cons
- Can take a while to get used to how to use them
When the bass are chasing small baitfish and sandeels, it can really pay to put a lure on with a slim profile as it emulates exactly what the bass are eating. The fish can get so fixated on a certain size at times, and this is when the Savage Gear Sandeel V2 Weedless really excels.
Sandeels don’t swim erratically, so this lure is designed to be fished on a steady retrieve, allowing the paddle tail to kick naturally, while the built-in rattle helps stimulate the fish into taking the lure. The slim profile helps the lure cast really well, and the weedless design means it won't get snagged up easily, allowing you to fish the lure how it's intended.
This lure also excels when you fish it slowly along the bottom. By allowing the jig head to bury into the sand before lifting it off a few inches and allowing it to drop back down, it simulates normal sandeel behaviour which is how the bass would expect to see them, and on difficult days, I have found this is an excellent way to trick a wary fish or two!
The lures are available in 11.5cm and 13cm, with the standout colours being the Khaki and Green Silver. You can get this lure in a non-weedless version, but I would nearly always recommend them in weedless as our coastlines are very often littered with snags, floating weed and I have never found the hit-to-hook ratio reduced compared to a lure with the hook showing!
Pros
- Ideal choice when bass are preoccupied on small baitfish
- Weedless design allows you to work the lure close to the bottom
Cons
- Body can rip quite easily
One type of lure that has taken bass fishing by storm in recent years is the creature bait, and the Westin CreCraw versions are among the best on the market.
Often overlooked in the past, it makes perfect sense that these lures would be excellent for bass and as myself and many other anglers across the country have found when experimenting with them, our thoughts are correct...bass love them.
When worked slowly along the bottom, these lures excel when bass are feeding on crabs, shrimps, and other bottom-dwelling crustaceans. They really need to be retrieved close to the seabed, where bass actively forage by turning over rocks, probing crevices, and searching between weed beds for anything hiding beneath.
The amount of times we work lures above the bass on days when they are hard on the bottom doesn't bear thinking about, but these lures help us cover that area with a lure that mimics exactly what they are hunting for! I have found the natural green or red version to be particular effective and when fished in estuaries or areas that are prolific with crabs, they are really hard to beat.
The only thing is, even when fishing them weedless, you are likely to loose a few in snags, but if you aren't getting snagged occasionally, you're not fishing close enough to where the fish are!
Pros
- Perfect for catching bass that are feeding on the bottom
- Resemble things like crabs and shrimps
Cons
- The claws can be ripped off
A relatively new addition to the Momolures range is the Momolures Salty Skimmer and they really are excellent surface lures. Most surface lures work on creating lots of commotion to imitate a stressed bait fish to attract the bass to hit the lure, however, there are days when this will have the opposite effect and spook the fish.
Enter the Salty Skimmer, this lure has a great snaking action, but as it has a rounded nose, it will skate and glide along the surface leaving the smallest of wakes behind it, imitating an injured/dying fish swimming on the surface as the bass would naturally see them in the wild.
They are perfect for those early morning sessions when the water is like glass and a normal topwater lure just seems to cause too much commotion. Whether you are fishing a lagoon, estuary or bay, if you want to catch bass off the top when they are being a little cagey, I wouldn't hesitate to get this lure on!
The lures have the option of a built-in rattle or just a lure for ultimate stealth. They come in a range of colours, our favourite being the White Pearl or Mackerel versions, sizes vary but aim for the 11cm version as it just seems to be the sweet spot.
Pros
- Superb lure for calm water.
- Great when the bass are wary.
Cons
- Not the best in rough conditions.
Some days, the bass aren’t willing to come to within normal casting range, and that is when the IMA Hound 125f Glide is the lure I often turn to. The Hound was designed for optimum casting, with the weight loaded towards the tail of the lure and a streamlined profile, this lure really does fly, on the right tackle it’s been cast over 70m, extraordinary. I can't claim to have chucked one that far, but let me tell you, they really do fly and they aren't all cast no action as they look very realistic when they are retrieved.
TheIMA Hound is a floating/diving lure and will dive to around 1.5m, so it allows you to search out the depths of the shoreline to find where the bass are. The small vane prevents it diving too deep and gives the lure a nice rolling action to keep from veering off course, which is important on long retrievals. Perfect for using in estuaries, over rough ground and weedy bays without getting snagged.
The lure is 12.5cm long and comes in wide array of patterns.
Pros
- Can be cast extreme distances
- Has a lovely rolling action
Cons
- The lure has two sets of trebles, so be careful
The Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow really capitulates everything a diving plug needs to be successful at catching bass. Its vibrant, realistic colours, insane action and durable body make it a go-to lure when the bass are feeding below the surface or in shallow water.
The holographic glint makes these lures particularly deadly when used in low light periods, and I would say this lure has been more successful for me at dawn/dusk than any other lure I have used. The lure needs absolute minimal light to reflect and sparkle, coupled with the wobbling action just produces bass time and time again.
This lure works best on a slow retrieve, pausing and allowing the lure to hold in the water before a sharp flick of the rod causes the lure to roll and wobble erratically, this is usually when you will get that heart-stopping thump from a bass.
Available in 9cm, 11cm and 13cm. Colours are never-ending, but the more natural colours seem to score best, although on its day, the classic red head and white body can be devastating.
Pros
- Holographic finish makes them deadly in low light conditions
- Very erratic action, it can't go unnoticed
Cons
- Not suitable for deep water spots
Best for rough conditions
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There are some days when it's too rough for your standard lures, but remember, it's rarely ever too rough for the bass, just be careful in these conditions! Instead of turning around and heading home, I usually reach for the Savage Gear Surf Seeker. These metal lures cut through the wind and cast like bullets, helping you get beyond the first breakers to where the bass are patiently waiting for disoriented baitfish.
These lures are very basic, so a cast out and wind back is about all you can really do with them. You can vary the speed of the retrieve, but I have found when conditions are rough, bass are usually charged up and don't have time to follow a lure so they will hit it out of instinct and often it won't matter what you chuck at them, along as you can get to them, which the Surf Seeker allows.
The lures come with a single hook, something I am beginning to change a lot of my lures over to now, but that is entirely personal preference if you want to swap the treble out.
These lures are also great for beginners due to their simplicity, and you’ll often catch the odd mackerel or pollock on them too.
Pros
- Heavy, and casts like a dream, cutting through any wind and surf
- Shimmers and rotates as you wind
- Perfect for beginners
Cons
- A fairly basic lure
What to look for in a bass lure for shorefishing
Bass can be found in nearly all coastline habitats, shallow water beaches, estuaries and rocky marks, they have even been caught over double figures on stretches further up the Hampshire Avon. If there is something for the bass to eat, they won't be far away. Due to the diverse nature of where bass feed, it is well worth carrying a selection of lures to make sure you can adapt to the conditions and how the bass are behaving. Some days you'll see bass chasing fry and hitting everything is sight, other days the bass feed more cautiously and a more refined approach is needed.
On calm days in shallow water there is nothing more exciting than catching bass with surface lures, not only do you witness the heart stopping moment a bass hits the lure, you also benefit from the lure missing all the weed and rocks below. When the bass can be seen attacking baitfish on the surface, a fast retrieve with violent sweeps of the rod will make the lure dance and make loads of commotion, attracting the bass. If the fish can't be seen, then a more gentle retrieve generally gets the best results.
If the water is deeper or the conditions are rougher, a soft plastic, metal or diving lure is generally the best option. If you know your chosen mark has rougher ground, then a weedless version of a soft plastic would be an ideal choice, as the bass will be feeding around the bottom and that will be where you need to work the lure, the weedless versions just help reduce the lure snagging up when retrieving.
Alternatively, a floating/diving lure can be worked above the bottom, these lures can be fished however you want and offer more versatility than a soft plastic that sinks. Colours in all lures can make a difference, it is worth carrying a few options from the brightest to the most natural. You will find you favour certain ones, but some days changing to the lure you rarely use could just catch the attention of the fish of a lifetime.
Glossary
Soft plastic lure: A lure that has a soft, rubberised body designed to feel more natural when the fish take it.
Floating/diving lure: A hard plastic lure that will float on the surface but, when retrieved, will dive under the surface thanks to a plastic vein on the front.
Rough ground: A name given to a fishing mark where the bottom is made up of rocks, boulders, weed and other items you're likely to snag up on.
Weedless: A lure design, where the hook point is buried in the lure to prevent it getting caught up, the hook is exposed when the fish bites down on the body of the lure.
Jig head: The metal weight, generally with a hook attached that is used to mount a soft plastic lure on to give it the weight to cast and sink to the bottom.
Paddle tail: A flat, rounded section at the back of a lure that causes drag in the water causing it to kick erratically.
Rattle: Some lures have a hollow internal compartment that is filled with ball bearings that knock together when retrieved to create a rattling sound.
Diving vein: A thin, rounded plastic or metal plate mounted on the front of a lure. When retrieved it causes drag that forces the lure downwards.
Walk the dog: A method of retrieving a surface lure to make it look as natural as possible. By maintaining a constant retrieve and flicking the rod tip, the lure will snake from side to side, looking like an injured fish.
Lure action: This refers to the way a lure moves when it is retrieved by the angler.
Frequently asked questions on bass fishing lures
What size lure is best for bass?
This is a tough one, and all depends on the day. Don't always think a bigger lure means bigger fish, some of the biggest bass get caught on small lures and we've seen bass less than 8oz taken on some ridiculously big lures. If we had to state a good size to start on, then a lure between 10cm and 13cm seems to be the most consistent size, but always carry a range and keep the changes coming.
What is the best time of year to fish for bass?
Generally, bass are associated as a summer species, and as the water begins to warm, the bass will come inshore. The summer is also associated with calmer water, meaning the sea will be clearer, so the fish will be able to see your lures much easier, as such you will tend to be more successful. The best months are May until October, but don't be surprised to catch fish outside of these months too.
What are the best spots to fish for bass?
Bass frequent most of the UK coastline, so whichever part of the coast is closest to you will have bass to be caught. Anywhere prey is found, bass are found. Good spots include harbours, estuaries and rocky areas. If you have a lagoon or shallow beach, they can also be great places to catch bass.
Is there a season for bass and can I take them?
Yes, you can keep bass you catch in the UK, but there are restrictions on what you can keep and what time of year it is. Between December and February 2023, bass fishing is catch and release only. March and November you can keep two bass over 42cm per day. This is due to change from December 2023 when the catch and release season will run from February 1st until 31st March 2024, outside of these dates recreational anglers may take two fish over 42cm per day. Find out about the latest guidelines.
What tackle do I need to fish for bass?
Tackle for bass couldn't be simpler, and a lot of it crosses over with coarse fishing gear. A small spinning reel between 2500 and 4000 in size and a spinning rod between 7ft and 11ft is ample, with a casting weight between 15 and 50g. Load the reel with a 12-18lb braid, and you'll be ready to fish. A fluorocarbon leader is always advised to stop the braid, putting the fish off taking.
What is the best knot for attaching bass lures
When it comes to topwater or surface lures, the Rapala Knot is the single best knot to tie as the little loop formed allows the lure to move freely so it can perform to its full potential.
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Author Aidan Bordiuk is an enthusiastic angler who enjoys all fishing disciplines from match fishing to beach casting. He is currently occupying the position of Digital Editor at Angling Times.__