For decades, the DeLong 16″ Snake has been one of the most talked-about — and misunderstood — topwater baits ever made. Some anglers see a 16-inch soft plastic snake and think, “No way a bass will hit that.” But the truth is, when conditions line up, big bass can’t help themselves.
Here’s the science behind why this legendary lure triggers monster strikes.

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1. 🧩 Bass Are Hard-Wired to Attack Surface Motion

Bass are ambush predators. Their brains are wired to detect movement, vibration, and surface disturbances that resemble wounded or fleeing prey.
A swimming snake gliding across the surface creates a signature S-shaped ripple pattern that few lures can mimic — a slow, rhythmic pulse that screams easy meal.
When your DeLong 16″ Snake slithers across the top, it perfectly imitates that movement, flipping the switch from curiosity to aggression.

🎣 Pro Tip: On calm mornings or just before sunset, twitch the lure with long pauses — you’ll often see the wake of a bass tracking it before it explodes.

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2. 💨 Size and Flexibility Signal “Big Meal Energy”

While most anglers throw 6–8″ worms, the 16″ Snake taps into a different instinct — energy reward.
Large bass prefer to expend effort on meals that deliver more calories. A snake represents a protein-packed meal that’s worth the chase.
The DeLong design combines a long, flexible body with hand-baked soft plastic that moves naturally in the water. That flexibility lets the lure twist, coil, and recover just like the real thing — without tearing apart after a few strikes.

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3. 🌿 The Weedless Advantage: Go Where the Big Ones Hide

Snakes glide across lily pads, reeds, and weed mats in nature — which is exactly where big bass wait.
The weedless rigging system of the DeLong Snake lets you pull it through dense cover without snagging, giving you access to untouched trophy territory.
Bass rarely see topwater baits that can move through heavy vegetation so cleanly — that’s why this lure consistently lands fish that others miss.

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4. 👃 The Scent Factor — Anise Oil for Realistic Attraction

Every DeLong lure is infused with anise scent, a natural fish attractant that masks human odor and leaves a subtle trail in the water.
To a bass’s sensitive lateral line and olfactory system, that scent means “real prey.” Combined with the lure’s lifelike action, it seals the deal when a fish is deciding whether to commit.

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5. 🧬 The Legacy of Proven Performance

The DeLong Snake isn’t a gimmick. It’s been catching tournament bass for over 70 years, with legends like Bill Murphy writing about its ability to tempt giants over 10 pounds.
Each lure is hand-poured in the USA using DeLong’s original molds, maintaining the same lifelike texture and action that made it famous in the 1950s.

🇺🇸 Proudly made in America since 1946 — one of the longest-running soft plastic lure companies in the world.

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6. ⚙️ When to Use the Snake

• Best Temperature: 70°F and above
• Ideal Conditions: Warm, shallow water with heavy vegetation
• Presentation: Steady retrieve across the surface or slow crawl along bottom structure
• Bonus Tip: Let it sit motionless for a few seconds after a strike miss — bass often circle back.

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🐍 Ready to Experience the Bite?

Big bass don’t just hit the DeLong 16″ Snake — they destroy it.
Hand-crafted, scented, and built to last, it’s one of the few lures that has stood the test of time and still out-fishes modern imitations.

👉 Shop the DeLong 16″ Snake Lure for Trophy Bass
👉 Read: How to Fish the DeLong 16″ Snake

If you’re heading out early for a hunt or fishing trip, check out Killshot Coffee’s Low-Acid Coffee Guide — it explains how to get smooth, stomach-friendly energy that won’t mess up your morning on the water or in the woods.

About the Author
Stephen Ziegler is an outdoor writer, entrepreneur, and owner of DeLong Lures—America’s oldest soft-plastic lure brand. He has published more than 500 articles on hunting, fishing, wildlife law, and public-lands policy, and his work has appeared in national outlets including Full Draw Magazine. Stephen also runs one of the largest hunting and fishing social-media networks in the country, reaching more than 300 million people per month.

➡ Read more from Stephen here: Stephen Ziegler – Author Page