In addition to being a very popular sporting event, bass fishing is also considered an art. For success, it is critical to choose the best bass fishing lures to use by thinking about the behavior of the fish, water temperature, water conditions and seasonal movements.

In any region where bass exist, there are many types of freshwater bass fishing lures that are used. This is because there are many types of bass, including large and small-mouthed bass, spotted, stripped, peacock, and white bass. Each of these varieties requires using a different type and size lure. Following are the most common bass fishing lures:

Topwater baits - these lures are used on the surface of the water. They are designed to float and move across the water in order to attract bass that are feeding right below the surface. Topbaits may be buzzbaits or rattlebaits that utilize their movement through the water to make a vibration or sound to attract bass, or they may have tiny propellers that are there to make a splashing sound when breaking the surface of the water.

Topwater baits - these lures are used on the water's surface. They are made to move across the water and float in order to attract bass that are feeding directly under the surface. Topbaits may be buzzbaits or rattlebaits that cause their movement through the water to make a vibration or sound to attract bass, or they may have little propellers that are there to produce a splashing sound when breaking the water's surface.

Swimbaits - these bass fishing lures are quite streamlined and sectioned throughout the body in order to nearly duplicate the movement of a swimming minnow. Typically, they have colors like the fish used for bait in the area; and, for most bass fishing, the shad colors are widely preferred. The swimbait can have a single hook, a treble hook or a series of hooks.

Jerkbaits - these are also shaped like minnows, but they are usually heavier than swimbaits. However, the jerkbait is not designed for smooth retrieval as the other lures are. Instead, they move irregularly and act as an injured bait fish would when swimming.

Additionally, bass fishing baits may include live bait fish, worms, and trolling baits. More often than not, the bass fishing lures will be brightly colored for fishing in the deeper waters and bright conditions and more naturally colored when fishing in the shallow and cloudier water found close to shore.