Versatile baits?

[11tenwma]

Looking to expand or maybe simplify my tackle lure selection. I know the Ultra-vibe speed craw is a versatile bait that can be fished on the surface, in the middle water column or on the  bottom, but what are some other baits that are as versatile as the speed craw. Lipless cranks and jigs are pretty good as well. I want to know what you guys think of when I say versatile.

[j bab]

Most plastics are versatile. You can throw a lot of stuff weightless wacky or weighted wacky or weightless tx rig or light tx rig or heavy tx rig or light carolina rig or heavy carolina rig or split shot rig or neko rig or nail weighted or weighted hook, you get my point . You can work em fast on top (constant reel or soft jerkbait style depending on the lure), work em fast or slow on bottom, constant reel through the middle/bottom or slow crawl on bottom.

 

For this I'm thinking pretty much any curl tail or rage tail. So that's rage tail craw/shad/space monkey, zoom ultravibe's equivalents, etc.

[jr231]

The stickbait may possibly be the most versatile lure on the market 

[ww2farmer]

11 minutes ago, Yeajray231 said:

The stickbait may possibly be the most versatile lure on the market 

 

What he said. There is almost nothing you can't do with a 4" or 5" stick bait. I have even caught fish on them dragging them around on mats and pads as a top water.

 

[Smallieseeker]

I'm a big fan of 2-5 inch paddle tail swimbaits. There isn't a whole lot that they can't do. You can strait retrieve them fast slow on the bottom or on top and every where in between through all types of cover. Also can be used on a drop shot and as trailers for multiple styles of baits such as spinnerbaits buzzbaits and jigs.

[Raul]

Well, I can catch bass anywhere in the planet with a 5" curly tail grub, it's just a matter of picking the rigging and terminal tackle depending upon needs.

[Turkey sandwich]

For versatility, it's very hard to be old classics like 3-5" grubs, 5-7" plastic worms, 3.5" tubes, and inline spinners.  

[chattooga_ basser]

The Zoom Trick worm in black gets my vote. I've caught bass from top to bottom and year round with that one .

[scaleface]

I even use soft plastics like buzzbaits . Lightly weighted 5 inch grubs and lizards have worked well . My all time favorite for this was the old Ditto Gator Tail worms .

 

 A short armed spinnerbait , when all the components are just right can be bubbled across the surface .  This is really cool but   difficult to achieve for long distances .  Colorado or a Turtle Back blades work .

 

 My best Bubbling spinnerbait 3/8 ounce .

[A-Jay]

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

 

All great response so far.  You're getting the benefit of a TON of bass fishing experience. 

 

I'd have to agree that there are a lot of different ways to present soft plastics and which one you chose is often just a matter of personal preference.

 

"Lure Versatility"  is handy I suppose, but I want as many effective tools in the box as it will hold, Versatile or not.

Being proficient with them all is also quite beneficial.

 

A-Jay

[kbeeb374]

I would have to agree again with the stick bait choice as the most versatile lure.  If that was the only thing you brought with you, I think you could cover almost if not all presentations needed to catch a bass.

["hamma"]

4" grub,..or whatever "you" can employ as versatile. Because if you think about it,...anything can be versatile depending on how "you" manipulate it.

[WRB]

Soft plastic worm has caught more bass than all other lures combined and without question the most versitile lure.

Over looked versitile lures; spoons.

Most obvious, jigs.

Tom

[Turkey sandwich]

Surprised no one asked, what are you targeting and where are you? Are you fishing mostly largemouth/smallmouth/spots/mixed species? Where are you fishing? Are you fishing rivers, lakes, farm ponds, etc?

[Raul]

57 minutes ago, Turkey sandwich said:

Surprised no one asked, what are you targeting and where are you? Are you fishing mostly largemouth/smallmouth/spots/mixed species? Where are you fishing? Are you fishing rivers, lakes, farm ponds, etc?

 

I can catch bass anywhere in the planet with a 5" grub .....

[everythingthatswims]

Keitech 4.3" Fat is a nice size for many approaches and you can do a whole lot of different things with that bait.

[CTBassin860]

Nobody said Pit Boss yet?? T-rig it,swim it on a jig or any style jig head.Flip it pitch it.I've heard drop shot on the 3".Heck sometimes even I eat them.