Shad Bait

Shad Bait

When it comes to fishing for smallmouth bass there are many different types of bait available. As a matter of fact there are thousands of different baits that can be used to catch smallmouth bass. In this article I'm going to explore some of the most effective baits to use when fishing for these bronze colored beauties.

The 'best bait' is most certainly hard to determine, and is largely up to personal preference, but the baits listed in this article are among the best and most effective baits that can be used to catch smallmouth bass. The final decision as to the best bait for smallmouth bass is up to you, and the only way to find out for yourself which is your favorite is to get out on the water and put these baits into practice.

So, let's get down to business, shall we?

1. Crawdads - Live and synthetic crawdads are arguably the most effective bait for smallmouth bass. As an angler there are two choices: Use lures that mimic crawdads or use live crawdads. Live crawdads are an extremely effective smallmouth bait, but can be difficult to fish with. Crawdad imitations are not as effective as their live cousins, but work very well nonetheless. The bottom line is that these fish love "freshwater lobsters", and they are among the best baits for these bass.
2. Hellgrammites - If you've never seen a hellgrammite it looks like something out of an alien movie, but is an incredibly effective bass bait. The problem is that these little buggers are hard to find. Artificial versions are hard to find as well, unless of course you're a fly fisherman. The bottom line is that hellgrammites are an extremely bait for smallmouth bass.
3. Bait Fish - Bait fish such as minnows, shad, and sculpins are very effective baits for bronze backs. Just as with crawdads, bait fish can be used live or as artificial lures. Live are more effective, but more difficult to use. Artificial bait fish (lures) are much easier to use. When it comes to the best bait for smallmouth the KickTail minnow is as realistic a fishing lure as I've ever seen. Some others would include the Rapala, the Zara Spook, and the Wally Diver.
4. Worms - Worms are one of the most popular and effective baits for all fish and smallmouth bass are included in this list. Live worms, when rigged on a set of gang hooks, are amazingly effective as a smallmouth bait. Artificial and synthetic worms are also very effective. Berkley's "Gulp" and "Power" products are every bit as effective as live worms when fishing for smallmouth bass. These worms can be rigged on gang hooks just like live worms, and the natural presentation is hard for the bass to resist.

The best bait for smallmouth bass is among the four just mentioned. Now it's up to you to get out there and figure out the most effective for you. Any or all of the above baits will serve you well in you smallmouth bass endeavors.

Gang Hooks Tied & Ready To Fish: http://www.jrwfishing.com/gang_hooks.asp

Shad $16.99 Zachary Alexander Shad - Art Print

KickTail XL5 Multi-Color 3 Set Green Shad - Rainbow Shad - Golden Shad $34.95 Patented KickTail® is the only hard bait that swims like a real fish - with its tail! It out-fished other bait 19 to 4 in Florida bass contest. Uses aerospace technology to mimic a real fish.

Allis Shad and Twaite Shad $19.99 A.f. Lydon Allis Shad and Twaite Shad - Premium Poster

KickTail XL-7 Chocolate Shad Diver/Floater $29.95 NEW! KICKTAIL® XL-7! is the only hard bait that swims like a real fish - with its tail! It out-fished other bait 19 to 4 in Florida bass contest. Uses aerospace technology to mimic a real fish.

KickTail XL-7 Natural Shad Diver/Floater $29.95 NEW! KICKTAIL® XL-7! is the only hard bait that swims like a real fish - with its tail! It out-fished other bait 19 to 4 in Florida bass contest. Uses aerospace technology to mimic a real fish.

Shad Bush $9.99 Shad Bush - Art Print

Walking Worm 30 Pack - Red Shad/Green Fleck $24.95 Patented lure out-fishes live bait 3 to 1; could be banned.

Good Bait $9.99 Good Bait

Squirrel Bait $11.99 Squirrel Bait

Whistle Bait $47.98 Whistle Bait

Live Bait $14.99 Live Bait

Bait $10.9 Ex-Flying Squad cop Jake Moore's career was cut short by a bullet; ten years on, he runs a game fishing business that is about to go to the wall. But old habits die hard, and when cerebral Mombasa detective Daniel Jouma - seemingly the only good policeman in a city where corruption is king - asks for his help in solving a baffling murder case, he cannot help but become involved. The mangled body of a street criminal has been washed up on the beach and a fishing boat skipper and his bait boy have blown up in the water. When Jake and Jouma look closer, they discover that not only are the murders linked, but the conspiracy surrounding them stretches far beyond the reaches of Africa - and has deadly implications for everyone concerned. This gripping crime thriller strips away Kenya's tourist glitz and exposes the country's dark and treacherous underbelly beneath.

KickTail XL5 Natural Shad Single Color 3 Set $34.95 Patented KickTail® is the only hard bait that swims like a real fish - with its tail! It out-fished other bait 19 to 4 in Florida bass contest. Uses aerospace technology to mimic a real fish.

KickTail XL5 Chocolate Shad Single Color 3 Set $34.95 Patented KickTail® is the only hard bait that swims like a real fish - with its tail! It out-fished other bait 19 to 4 in Florida bass contest. Uses aerospace technology to mimic a real fish.

Bait A Hook $6 Bait A Hook - Justin Moore

Bait (Chorus) $6 Bait (Chorus) - Wale

Cougar Bait $21.99 Cougar Bait - T-Shirt

Spoon Bait $24.99 Spoon Bait - Photographic Print

Jail Bait $12.49 Jail Bait - Masterprint