NJ Bass Lure Suggestions

[Jigman13]

Senkos, spinnerbaits and frogs... heavy line, big hooks. Unless you're in clear water.

[HighHook94]

Depends on the time of the year. But there's one bait that is good all year long... a fake worm. Doesn't matter what brand, just a basic worm in a natural color like green pumpkin. Senkos and zoom trick worms are my favorite, but seriously any cheap worm will do. Ponds you want to go small, maybe a 4-5 inch worm. Lakes you can go a little bigger. Here are the main things you'll need for largemouth bass, don't waste your money on a bunch of fancy garbage that doesn't work (like I did). Here is the list and how to fish them:
-fake worms in natural colors. Regular worms use a texas rig (look it up), and senko type baits use a wacky rig (look it up). Keep in mind you need wide gap hooks for a texas rig. In water less than 10 feet deep, cast it out with no weight and let it slowly fall to the bottom. Once it hits bottom, jig it up a couple feet and let it slowly fall back down. Repeat until you bring the bait all the way in.
-spinnerbaits in either white or chartreuse (preferably white). Don't get anything too big, I prefer small, single bladed ones for ponds, heavier double bladed ones for lakes. Cast and reel just under the water surface.
-popper, preferably in white and relatively small. Bass pro shops makes an awesome popper that is super cheap. Best used in the summer. Cast out and jerk the rod so the popper makes a popping sound on the surface. Watch some youtube videos on it. Set the hook when you feel the weight of the fish. This is my favorite method of catching largemouth.
-small rapala jerk bait. Cast and jerk it in. When water is cold, do a jerk and pause. In summer, you can jerk and reel pretty quick.
-Honestly, those are the only baits i use now. I have a huge box full of expensive lures, but these three never fail me. But as a beginner, don't be afraid to use live bait. Live bait will catch you the most fish, guaranteed. You can catch your own bait for free.
-I do mostly saltwater fishing, but i do enjoy freshwater every once in awhile in streams and for ice fishing in the winter. Most of my fishing is in streams for smallmouth and trout because they fight more than largemouth, but i do have a few ponds near me that have great bass action. Speaking of that, don't underestimate small ponds by your house. They will produce much more than big lakes which can be tricky. I'm 21 years old, and have been fishing literally my entire life. It takes A LOT of time and patience to get the hang of it. Hang in there, you'll get it. It's an addicting sport. And if you have the chance, try saltwater fishing once you get decent. It's way more fun in my opinion.

[phil]

Originally Posted by HighHook94

Depends on the time of the year. But there's one bait that is good all year long... a fake worm. Doesn't matter what brand, just a basic worm in a natural color like green pumpkin. Senkos and zoom trick worms are my favorite, but seriously any cheap worm will do. Ponds you want to go small, maybe a 4-5 inch worm. Lakes you can go a little bigger. Here are the main things you'll need for largemouth bass, don't waste your money on a bunch of fancy garbage that doesn't work (like I did). Here is the list and how to fish them:
-fake worms in natural colors. Regular worms use a texas rig (look it up), and senko type baits use a wacky rig (look it up). Keep in mind you need wide gap hooks for a texas rig. In water less than 10 feet deep, cast it out with no weight and let it slowly fall to the bottom. Once it hits bottom, jig it up a couple feet and let it slowly fall back down. Repeat until you bring the bait all the way in.
-spinnerbaits in either white or chartreuse (preferably white). Don't get anything too big, I prefer small, single bladed ones for ponds, heavier double bladed ones for lakes. Cast and reel just under the water surface.
-popper, preferably in white and relatively small. Bass pro shops makes an awesome popper that is super cheap. Best used in the summer. Cast out and jerk the rod so the popper makes a popping sound on the surface. Watch some youtube videos on it. Set the hook when you feel the weight of the fish. This is my favorite method of catching largemouth.
-small rapala jerk bait. Cast and jerk it in. When water is cold, do a jerk and pause. In summer, you can jerk and reel pretty quick.
-Honestly, those are the only baits i use now. I have a huge box full of expensive lures, but these three never fail me. But as a beginner, don't be afraid to use live bait. Live bait will catch you the most fish, guaranteed. You can catch your own bait for free.
-I do mostly saltwater fishing, but i do enjoy freshwater every once in awhile in streams and for ice fishing in the winter. Most of my fishing is in streams for smallmouth and trout because they fight more than largemouth, but i do have a few ponds near me that have great bass action. Speaking of that, don't underestimate small ponds by your house. They will produce much more than big lakes which can be tricky. I'm 21 years old, and have been fishing literally my entire life. It takes A LOT of time and patience to get the hang of it. Hang in there, you'll get it. It's an addicting sport. And if you have the chance, try saltwater fishing once you get decent. It's way more fun in my opinion.

I agree with all this, some great info here, but you gotta add FROGS to your arsenal! especially if you are fishing pads and the water is sloppy in the summer. ill fish frogs all day and catch less fish then I would with other methods because its so damn fun.