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.

There are plenty of freshwater bass fishing lures that are customarily used in places where bass are known to concentrate. The many kinds of bass include small and large-mouthed bass, peacock, spotted, stripped and white bass. Each one of these types is approached by using a different size and style of lure. Bass fishing lures often include the following:

? Swimbaits ? these bass fishing lures are sectioned and streamlined in order to closely approximate the movement of a minnow when swimming. Usually, they possess coloration such as the fish used for bait in the area; and, for most bass fishing, the shad colors are very often appreciated. The swimbait offers options. It can have a single hook, a treble hook or a series of hooks.

? 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.

? Crankbait ? these bass fishing lures may be used at any water depth including deep, mid-level, or very close to the top. Crankbaits come with or without a lip, which is dependent on the depth at which they are used and the action that the fisherman desires to get from them. Crankbaits are most often shaped to resemble thick minnows and they attract fish when they move through the water while the lure is being reeled in.

? 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.

Bass fishing lures also may include live bait fish, trolling baits, and worms. Most often, the lures will be brightly colored for fishing in bright conditions and in deep waters. More naturally-colored lures are used for fishing in the typical shallow and the cloudy water near the shoreline.

Stop in at your favorite bait shop or sports equipment store and ask the sales person to show you the latest bass fishing lures on the market today. You can be sure that he'll be happy to give you a lesson on what's new in artificial baits.