For fishing enthusiasts, having the right equipment is just as important as going out to fish on the right day. If you’re an avid angler and you’re looking to up your fishing game today with the best bass lures for fishing rivers however, then you’ve come to the right place.
How to Pick the Best Bass Lures for Fishing Rivers
To pick out the best bass lures for fishing rivers, it’s always essential to know how these lures can help you attract the basses. Here, we’re going to discuss the types of bass lures in the market and why they excel in rivers.
Spinnerbaits
Spinnerbaits can act as draw baits, attracting basses to bite through the vibration of the lure and with the fluttering light thrown off of the blades. If you’re using spinnerbaits, it’s best to also remember to swap them out according to the season:
- In spring, spinnerbaits in bright red or orange are best used to swoop through muddy waters where the basses hide. Your spinnerbaits should ideally also feature thumb-sized blades and measure at 1/4 ounce.
- In summer, you should swap your spinnerbaits for a lure in yellow or green. This should be paired with a number 5 blade and measure at 3/8 ounce. This sizing can similarly be used in fall, although it should ideally be in white instead.
Crankbaits
Crankbaits are great lures to take along on your trip for fishing in the river. Some of its advantages include:
- Being made in a variety of sizes and colors. Crankbaits are often made to replicate shad or bluegill or even a bass favorite – the crawfish. This attracts them to bite, especially as they’re easier to spot in murky waters.
- Crankbaits are a great help in creating ripples in waters, triggering the bass’ predator instinct to attack what may seem like an injured fish. Separately, crankbaits are also easier to manipulate when you’re trying to make your line run shallow or deep.
- Finally, crankbaits provide the anglers with better control, so you can choose to have a tight or wide wiggle style of crankbait to suit your fishing habits.
Soft Plastic Baits
If you’re using soft baits or plastic crawfishes as a lure, it’s always best to hook them onto a light rig. This is especially right if you want to keep your lure bobbing by the surface of the water and in the line of sight of the basses.
Attaching the soft bait to a worm hook using the Texas-rigged method is our recommended way of setting up this lure up.
Skirted Jigs
Skirted jigs are ideal for use year-round and can easily be manipulated to suit any fishing styles. So, whether you’re looking to fish within the shallow waters or the deeper areas of the river, having a skirted jig will be just right in helping you snag a bass bite.
Best Bass Lures for Fishing Rivers
So, now that you know the differences in the lures you can use to catch bass when fishing rivers, how would you choose which is best?
Hence, we’ve looked out for the top 5 best river bass lures that you should have in your tackle box on your next bass catching trip in the rivers.
TRUSCEND Fishing Lures for Bass Trout Segmented Multi Jointed Swimbaits
TRUSCEND fishing lures tops comes with a 12-month warranty, assuring anglers of their quality and confidence in their fishing lures. Suitable for all types of water conditions, the TRUSCEND fishing lures come in a wide variety of styles to choose from.
Pros
- The lures are designed with a lifelike multi-jointed body. It features 6 segments, allowing the lure to sink slower and become more flexible in the water.
- The finishing on the lures is highly realistic to attract basses to bite.
- These fishing lures are equipped with a built-in rattle to emit vibrations when used. This attracts fishes in the water and encourages bites.
- The lures are made of a sturdy ABS material built while being highly affordable, ideal for both beginner fishermen and professional use.
Cons
- The hooks provided with the lures are easily bent and don’t grip to the fishes well.
- The lures may also look unnatural if you slow your reel too much, so it may not suit every fishing style.
BOOYAH Pond Magic Small-Water Spinner-Bait Bass Fishing Lure
The BOOYAH Pond Magic fishing lures are unique in that they are specifically made for fishing smaller bodies of water. They feature sharp and bright colored lures to attract the attention of fishes, making the lure ideal especially for pre-season fishing.
Pros
- Long-lasting and high quality small sized spinnerbait fishing lures. They’re ideal for smaller bodies of water but are still capable of hooking on large species of basses.
- Hooks are sharp and sturdy, allowing anglers to reel in fast or slow depending on their fishing styles.
- Hooks are easy to remove from the fishes, so anglers can get their lines back in the waters quicker after every bite.
- The lures a durable skirt of an ideal length to attract basses in all conditions.
- The blade set up on the lures doesn’t tangle easily, making it easy to pull through weeds in the waters.
Cons
- Due to its small size and lightweight, it could be hard to make the BOOYAH Pond Magic fishing lure run straight. It may take anglers some time to get used to it or adjust their lines accordingly.
- The clip swivel on the lure occasionally slides up the fishing rod when landing.
Heddon Super Spook Topwater Fishing Lure for Saltwater and Freshwater
Heddon fishing lures are the one the oldest lure companies in the world, having established themselves in 1894. They feature a range of versatile lures that are ideal for various water conditions and are made to last.
Pros
- Ideal if you’re an angler who enjoys using the “Walk the Dog” method in fishing as the lure holds well as a topwater fishing lure.
- Made of sturdy materials with 2 sharp hooks to withstand hard-charging fishes in the water. The lure is also made to be versatile enough to attract other types of fishes but is especially great with largemouth basses.
- The lure is heavy, making it easy to cast out and reel in during a fishing trip. It’s also good if you’re looking to cast your line out far. Ideal for use whether you’re a beginner or seasoned angler.
- The lure comes with a rattle, making it easy to spot even if you lose it in the waters.
Cons
- Front hooks run the risk of being tangled in the line when casting. You will have to be patient when de-tangling the hook or risk bending it if you’re not careful.
- The lure is heavy so it would best fit a lightweight fishing rod to avoid over exhausting the angler themselves.
- The paint tends to chip easily but this can be resolved with a little re-painting.
Berkley Gulp! Swimming Mullet Fishing Soft Bait
The Berkley Gulp! Swimming soft bait is our top pick when it comes to soft baits. It features a swimming tail action and disperses a long-range of scents to attract fishes in any body of water.
Pros
- A good alternative to live baits. These soft baits are reusable and attract a wide variety of fish.
- Reasonably priced for anglers looking to use soft baits.
Cons
- The swimming tail bit breaks off easily, eliminating the enticing part of the bait to attract fishes.
- They may harden if left out in the open, so you’ll have to watch where you keep your soft baits. You should also remove them from your hook when you’re done to prevent the soft baits from drying over your hook.
- Has a strong and unpleasant smell. If stored incorrectly, you may get some of the soft bait water spilling over.
Yakima Bait Wordens Original Rooster Tail Spinner Lure
The Yakima Bait spinner lure was designed in the 1950s by Howard Worden and has since been a favorite among anglers looking for a great spinner lure. It’s paired with a unique spinning action and comes in a variety of colors for every season.
Pros
- The Yakima Bait spinner lures are affordable, so anglers often purchase extras to keep in their tackle box.
- The shiny spinner action attracts fishes in murky water conditions to bite. There are a variety of colors to choose from, including a plain variant that’s ideal for anglers looking to paint personal preference of colors on the lure.
- The hooks that come with the Yakima Bait spinner lures are sharp, ideal for beginners and experienced fishermen to use. Hooks can also be re-sharpened for continuous use.
Cons
- It’s difficult to get the lure to spin the right way if you’re not familiar with the blade.
- It’s easy to lose these lures around weeds, so you may have to replace them more often.
- The lure may occasionally catch onto the line when casting, dragging your bait through the water.
