Summer bass fishing can be both challenging and rewarding. As temperatures rise, bass behavior changes, requiring anglers to adapt their strategies and choose the right lures. Understanding the best lures to use during the summer months can significantly increase your chances of landing a big one. Here are the top five lures that every bass angler should have in their tackle box during the summer.

1. Topwater Lures: Frogs, Poppers, and Walking Baits

Topwater lures are a thrilling and effective option for summer bass fishing. These lures excel during the early morning and late evening hours when bass are more likely to feed near the surface.

Frogs: Frogs are excellent for fishing in areas with heavy vegetation, such as lily pads and weed beds. Their weedless design allows them to be retrieved through thick cover without getting snagged. The key to using frogs is to mimic the erratic movements of a real frog, with frequent pauses to entice strikes.

Poppers: Poppers create a commotion on the water’s surface, mimicking injured baitfish. This noise and splash attract bass from a distance. A steady retrieve with intermittent pauses can trigger aggressive strikes.

Walking Baits: Walking baits are designed to glide back and forth across the surface, a technique known as “walking the dog.” This erratic movement can provoke reaction strikes from bass that are hunting near the surface.

2. Plastic Worms: Texas Rigged, or Carolina Rigged

Plastic worms are a staple in bass fishing due to their versatility and effectiveness in various conditions. They can be particularly effective during summer when bass move deeper or into heavy cover to escape the heat.

Texas Rigged: The Texas rig is perfect for fishing in heavy cover like submerged vegetation or brush piles. The weedless setup allows you to work the worm through thick cover without getting hung up. Slowly dragging or hopping the worm along the bottom can mimic the movements of a natural prey, enticing bass to strike. Pay attention during the initial drop, too. Many times bass will strike before the worm hits the bottom, a favorite technique for bass hiding in ambush in thick cover.

Carolina Rigged: The Carolina rig is ideal for deeper water fishing. It consists of a plastic worm rigged with a weight and a swivel that allows the bait to move freely. This setup works well for fishing along ledges, drop-offs, and points where bass are likely to be holding.

3. Crankbaits: Shallow and Medium Divers

Crankbaits are another excellent choice for summer bass fishing, particularly when you need to cover a lot of water to locate active fish. These lures are designed to dive to specific depths, making them versatile for different fishing conditions.

Shallow Divers: Shallow-diving crankbaits are ideal for targeting bass in shallow water, especially around rocks, stumps, and submerged vegetation. A steady retrieve with occasional pauses can make these lures dart and wobble, mimicking injured baitfish.

Medium Divers: Medium-diving crankbaits are perfect for probing deeper structures such as ledges, drop-offs, and submerged humps. These lures can reach depths where bass are likely to be suspended during the hotter parts of the day. Varying your retrieve speed and incorporating pauses can help trigger strikes.

4. Spinnerbaits

Spinnerbaits are a versatile and effective lure for summer bass fishing, particularly in murky water or around cover such as grass, timber, and stumps. Their design allows them to be fished in a variety of conditions without getting snagged.

Blade Configuration: The blades on spinnerbaits create vibration and flash that attract bass even in low visibility conditions. The combination of a steady retrieve and the spinning blades can mimic the movements of a school of baitfish.

Retrieval Techniques: Varying your retrieval speed and direction can make spinnerbaits even more effective. Slow-rolling a spinnerbait along the bottom or burning it beneath the surface can be productive techniques.

5. Jigs: Football Head Jigs and Flipping Jigs

Jigs are known for their ability to catch big bass, especially during the summer when fish are holding tight to cover or deep structure.

Football Head Jigs: These jigs are designed for dragging along the bottom, making them ideal for fishing rocky areas, ledges, and points. The unique shape of the head helps prevent snags while maintaining contact with the bottom.

Flipping Jigs: Flipping jigs are perfect for targeting bass in heavy cover. Their weedless design and heavy head allow them to penetrate thick vegetation and reach the fish hiding underneath. Pairing them with a craw or creature bait trailer can enhance their appeal.

By understanding when and how to use these lures effectively, you can increase your chances of success and enjoy the thrill of landing big summer bass. Remember to experiment with different retrieval techniques and pay attention to the behavior of the fish to find what works best on any given day. If you see a particular lure is attracting bass, but they are not willing to commit, trying a different size/color combination can often be the difference you and the bass were looking for.