One of the most enjoyable things about fishing in freshwater is catching smallmouth bass lures.  Smallmouth bass are known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. Their behavior changes based on the season, the type of food they eat, and how clear the water is.  It’s important to pick the correct smallmouth bass lures if you want to catch them all the time.  Over the years, fishermen have tried out a lot of different baits, and a few have become must-haves for catching smallmouth bass in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs.

Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm – Best Drop Shot Lure

For smallmouth bass lures, the Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm has changed the way people fish with drop shots.  Its realistic shape and Berkley’s strong fragrance technology make it impossible for bass that are under a lot of pressure in clear water to resist.  This bait works well when smallmouth bass are suspended offshore or feeding slowly in deep water.  People who fish in the Great Lakes and other places use it as a tournament-winning bait that always works.

Great Lakes Finesse Juvy Craw – Best Tube Lure

The tube has been a classic for smallmouth bass for a long time. The Great Lakes Finesse Juvy Craw updates this classic bait.  It looks and moves like a baby crawfish, so it’s great for fishing in rivers and on stony lake bottoms where craws are a significant food source.  The Juvy Craw is different from other tubes in that it is both strong and delicate, so fishermen can catch more than one fish before they need to re-rig.

DUO Realis Spinbait80 – Best Spy Bait

The DUO Realis Spinbait80 is the lure that began it all, and spy baiting is now one of the best ways to fish in clear water.  The way it vibrates and rolls is much like a  smallmouth bass lures baitfish, which makes it great for catching smallmouth bass lures that are picky and hang out in mid-depth water.  It casts far, covers a lot of water quickly, and is especially dangerous when the water is calm and finesse presentations work best.

Z-Man Finesse TRD – Best Ned Rig Bait

The Z-Man Finesse TRD on a Ned rig has changed the way people fish for smallmouth bass lures more than any other lure.  This soft plastic stickbait is simple but very successful. It works on rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. The small size and shape of the Z-Man ElaZtech material make it appealing to both numbers and size. Plus, it lasts through repeated catches.  The Ned rig is still one of the best ways to catch smallmouth when the biting becomes tough.

Outkast Feider Fly – Best Hair Jig

The hair jig may look easy, but it is a legendary way to catch smallmouth bass, especially in cold water.  The Outkast Feider Fly was made by professional fisherman Seth Feider. It has natural marabou that makes a plume in the water that looks real. It glows in shallow water in the spring and fall when smallmouth bass swim along the shorelines eating a lot.  Anglers who want to catch big fish in clear water love it since it looks so subtle and isn’t scary.

Megabass Ito Vision 110 – Best Jerkbait

People say that the Megabass Ito Vision 110 is one of the best jerkbaits ever manufactured.  It genuinely looks like an injured baitfish since it moves in a strange way and can stay in one place.  Smallmouth bass lures are known for destroying jerkbaits, and the Vision 110 is still a popular choice.  It comes in dozens of hues that mimic the fish’s natural food, so it works in both sunny and cloudy weather all year long.

Keitech Swing Impact FAT – Best Swimbait

When it comes to emulating baitfish, swimbaits are the best, and the Keitech Swing Impact FAT is the best since it swims so naturally. Smallmouth bass lures can’t resist the way the body rolls and the tail kicks. Smallmouth love the smaller 2.8- and 3.8-inch sizes, whether they are rigged on a jighead, underspin, or drop shot.  This swimbait works well in a lot of different situations, from sluggish retrieves to scorching it high in the water.

Savage Gear Ned Craw – Realistic Crawfish Imitation

Smallmouth bass eat a lot of crawfish, and the Savage Gear Ned Craw is one of the most realistic copies you can buy.  Bass that are eating along rocky bottoms get hostile when they see its realistic claws and body shape.  Its sturdy design lets it take repeated hits, and its small size makes it perfect for Ned rigging.  This bait works really well in lakes where crawfish are the main food source.

Ark Topwater Blower Twitch – Best Topwater Lure

The Ark Blower Twitch gives you those heart-stopping strikes that make fishing so exciting when a smallmouth hits a topwater bait. This bait is made to be walked with and has great balance. It can bring fish up from deep water even when the weather is bad.  It has three treble hooks, one of which is feathered, which makes sure that it hooks up well.  It’s a good choice for warm-water months, whether you work rapidly or slowly.

Great Lakes Finesse Drop Minnow – Best Sonar-Friendly Lure

The Great Lakes Finesse Drop Minnow has changed the game as forward-facing sonar becomes increasingly widespread. It looks almost exactly like live baitfish because to its delicate tail movement and matte color patterns. When you use it on a jig head or drop shot, it’s great for catching suspended bass that you see on sonar.  This lure is gradually becoming a must-have for tournament anglers that need to be precise and accurate.

Smallmouth Bass Lure Categories

You may put the top smallmouth bass lures into a few main groups. Drop shot plastics work best in deep, clear water. Tubes and craw imitations are the most common types of bait on rocky bottoms and rivers.  Ned rigs work best when the going gets rough.  Jerkbaits and swimbaits are great for bass that are chasing baitfish. Hair jigs, spy baits, and topwater lures are all great to have on hand.  Anglers can securely go after smallmouth all year long if they cover all of these areas.

Best Lures for Rivers and Creeks

Smallmouth bass lures  in rivers are usually active but picky.  In flowing water, tubes, Ned rigs, and little swimbaits work quite well. A small popper or wandering bait can cause big strikes on the surface.  If you bring a spinning rod, a few jigheads, and some flexible plastics, you’ll be able to catch bass in smaller streams and creeks.

Conclusion: Building Confidence with Smallmouth Bass Lures

To catch smallmouth, you have to be able to change.  Some lures work best in the spring, while others work best in the summer or fall. The most important thing is to try different things until you find what makes fish bite in a certain situation.  These ten smallmouth bass lures have worked well in many different bodies of water and will still be good choices in 2024.  You may catch smallmouth fish in any body of water, from rivers to the Great Lakes, if you have a mix of finesse baits, swimbaits, tubes, and topwaters.