Bass behavior changes with water temperature, food availability, and seasonal patterns — so the best lure is always the one that matches what bass are feeding on right now. This guide shows exactly which lures to throw in each season, how to work them, and what adjustments make the biggest difference.
Whether you’re a weekend angler, a tournament fisherman, or teaching someone new to fish, this seasonal approach will increase your consistency and catch quality.
Bass Priority: Recover from winter + fuel up before spawning
Behavior: Slow metabolism early → aggressive feeding as temps rise
| Lure | Why it Works in Spring | How to Fish It |
|---|---|---|
| Twister Tad | Bass actively feed on real tadpoles this time of year | 1.Slow hop & pause along the bottom 2.pull and pause. bass hit on the fall. |
| Squirm | Mimics dying baitfish and easy calories | Drag or jig slowly across bottom |
| 16″ snake | looks like a big easy meal for bass getting ready for the spawn. | 1.Slow bottom bouncing with weight (very effective early). 2. weightless work slow to look like a snake. |
| XL Tadpole | Big, easy meal during pre-spawn feeding | Cast near staging areas and secondary points. use as a jerk bait. |
Early spring is not about speed — it’s about matching vulnerable prey.
The 16″ snake and Twister Tad look exactly like what bass are already hunting in shallow warming water.
Bass Priority: Recover, regain strength, selective feeding
Behavior: Bass rest near shade and vegetation edges
| Lure | Why | How to Fish |
|---|---|---|
| 6″ Weedless Worms & 6” 3-Hook Worms | Classic slow “confidence bait” | Texas rig → slow steady retrieve |
| Twister Tail | Year-round bass staple | Swim it or hop it depending on cover |
| Bass Witch (Summer Mode) | Provides an action nobody else is throwing | 1.Increase retrieve speed — triggers reaction bites 2. wacky rig the unrigged version this time of year. |
Increase lure movement speed as the water warms. In summer, presentation style matters more than shape.
Bass Priority: Ambush feeding + energy conservation
Behavior: Topwater window opens — vegetation becomes key
| Lure | Best Use | How to Work It |
|---|---|---|
| 16″ Snake (weightless) | Work weedlines, pads, shallow grass | Glide → stall → twitch — bass crush the pause |
| Twin Tail | Can cross heavy vegetation where most baits fail | Drag across pads, let fall into holes |
| Dragonfly | When topwater bite is active | Slow flutter retrieve → pause → flutter |
| Weedless Tadpole | When weeds are too thick for the twister tad. | Swim or hop through vegetation pockets |
The key in summer is vertical movement.
The best bites happen when the lure falls into openings in pads and grass.
Bass Priority: Gain weight before winter
Behavior: Aggressive chase feeding
| Lure | Why It Works | Retrieve Style |
|---|---|---|
| Twister Tail | Matches minnows & shad schools | Fast retrieve + occasional drop |
| Bass Bucktails | Covers water fast + triggers chase response | Steady retrieve in open water |
| XL Tadpole / Squirm | Big easy meals when bass bulk up | Drag, hop, or swim slow along bottom |
Fall is the search-and-trigger season.
Use the bucktail to find active fish, then switch to Squirm or Tadpole to boat the heavier ones.drink coffee not energy drinks! check out the killshot guide on is coffee better than energy drinks?
Not sure which color works best in your lake or water conditions?
Check out our Soft Plastic Color Selection Guide to match lure color to clarity and light conditions.need more help with your set up?
We’ll recommend exact lure + color + retrieve settings based on what anglers have told us from around the country. just email at sales@delonglures.com or call 234-788-9308 with any questions.
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
It depends on water temperature, clarity, and bass activity — but a good rule is to evaluate every 2–4 weeks. Use a season guide like this to pick lures suited for each phase: early-spring finesse plastics, summer reaction baits, fall shallow-water swimbaits, and deep-water winter jigs.
Rinse off salt, dirt, and debris, then dry thoroughly. Store soft plastics in hard cases or resealable boxes with ventilation. Keep skirts and spinners separated from soft plastics to preserve shape and avoid chemical reactions. Rotate lures seasonally to keep inventory fresh.
Yes — water clarity, light conditions, and substrate color vary by region and lake. Use darker, more natural colors in clear water or low light; brighter or more contrasty colors in stained water or bright sun. Seasonal guides often recommend color shifts along with lure type.
It changes with the season — spring and fall often produce best early morning or late afternoon; summer may be better at dawn, dusk, or nighttime due to heat; winter often calls for midday when water is warmest. Use lure size and action to match these windows.
It’s smart to stock a variety — anglers often fish year-round. Having lures suited for spring, summer, fall, and winter maximizes your store’s appeal and sales.
Email: Sales@delonglures.com
Phone: 234 -788-9308
Address: 2381 Locust St
Canal Fulton, Ohio 44614
