SALTWATER BASS FISHING 101

Saltwater Bass Fishing

If you were to ask 100 saltwater bass fishermen to name the single most versatile lure in their tackle box, 95 of them would probably tell you that it's a swimbait.

Sounds reasonable, doesn't it?

After all, you can use swimbaits to target spotted bay bass, calico bass and sand bass. And by adjusting the size of the bait and lead-head, you can fish them at multiple depths. You can also use different styles of lead-heads that allow you to fish them in kelp, eelgrass or rocks. It's an extremely versatile bait to say the least.

The problem is that by the time you add in all the variations of sizes, styles and weights needed to cover every species and structure that bass fishermen encounter, you're not talking about a single bait, it's more like a dozen baits. Factor in all of the different colors you'll need and you're looking at hundreds of variations.

So, what is the one bait that you can tie on to fish along docks and grass beds for spotties, then head out of the harbor to fish calicos in the kelp and then drop down to fish sand bass on deep-water structure?

It's the 1-ounce chartreuse-and-white spinnerbait with double willow leaf blades.

You're probably shaking your head saying, “A spinnerbait? Yeah right!” After all, spinnerbaits are made for fishing green bass and spotties. Well, I can tell you without a doubt that the spinner bait is my top lure regardless of which species I'm targeting. It's my go-to bait when the fishing is tough and I need to put a fish in the boat.