The most versatile bass lure

[Mobasser]

Most of us carry way more lures than we end up using in a typical bass fishing trip. Many of the baits we use can be fished several different ways through different depths, speeds etc. My own most versatile lure through the season is the simple plastic worm. It can be fished at any depth, mid water, or on top. It can be rigged Texas style, shakey head, ball head jig, split shot, slider head, wacky, or weightless. All can work at different times. It can also be trimmed down or modified easily in the field to for any situation, and comes through cover better than any bait I carry. What is your most versatile bass lure? One that comes close to a do it all bait?

[j bab]

I agree, except I might choose a plastic craw

[Catt]

Mister Twister 6" Phenom Curly Tail Worm ?

[fin]

Fluke. Not necessarily just Zoom brand, but that's my go-to. There are many different good manufacturers/styles.

 

With a worm or craw, I have come up with a favorite method and I only fish them one way. I have a favorite method with the fluke too, but I sometimes rig them differently and keep experimenting.

 

I usually work worms and craws the same - bouncing them along the bottom. With flukes, I'm constantly trying different levels in the water column, in addition to bouncing them along the bottom.

 

The worm catches most fish for me though.

[The Bassman]

I agree with OP. Would add to that Yamamoto Fat Ika. It's been a real eye opener this season. You can even fish it in slop like a frog

[Hammer 4]

If I could only have 1 bait to fish with, it would be a 6" roboworm..

[scaleface]

I  pick a plastic lizard , that way I could buzz it on top also .  

[WRB]

"The Lowly Worm"

Tom

[snake95]

Zman Shroomz 1/15 oz with 3" Yum grub, ideally brown or green pumpkin.

 

Not for catching big ones, but the most reliable producer in any condition.

[tracker01]

Me and my tube. Green pumpkin of course.

[Wizzlebiz]

Brand new still but so far I have to say a jig has been the lure I use the most in different ways. Drag, hop, swim, let sit still, with a trailer without a trailer, bladed or non, sometimes a swimbait trailer and other times a chunk or a craw type trailer. 

 

It can be used so many dang ways. Im sure I will find other lures are easier as I move along but for now this is my thing.

[Log Catcher]

I would agree with you about the worm. I would pick the Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Worm.

[813basstard]

Jig and spinnerbait need to be up there as well.  

Anything with a skirt is versatile.

[TnRiver46]

Wow I was gonna say plastic worm but everyone else already did! 

[papajoe222]

One bait that you can fish top to bottom, without altering it, is a spinner bait. Yes, you can fish a worm, or jig at any depth, but only by changing the weight. Doesn't that change it to a different lure?

If not, I go with the worm, too.

[greentrout]

[GreenPig]

Zoom Super Fluke in glimmer blue. Especially in a herring lake. I can fish at any depth, slow, fast, and change the ROF just by changing hooks. 

[JustJames]

4” senko.

[Deleted account]

Pretty much with everyone else above, a t-rig, a spinnerbait, and a jig will catch fish in most situations.

[Mobasser]

17 hours ago, Catt said:

Mister Twister 6" Phenom Curly Tail Worm ?

Catt, it's funny you mentioned this one. These have been a sleeper for me this summer. I found 3 bags in my stash of old plastics. I've been using them all summer now. My local tackle shops don't even carry them anymore. I'm going to order some for next season. Motor oil has been especially good. Kind of like the Ditto Gator tail. Another older worm I quit using for some reason. Still one of the best. The 6" Phenom is hard to beat

[Brad Reid]

Worms are hard to beat as are many other of our great standards. But, I can count on one hand the number of bass I have caught over the years reeling a worm in very fast to re-cast. I love them for bottom contact, for sure, find them of no use up higher in the water column unless they attract a bass on the fall.

 

For me, if by versatile you mean the most circumstances for something to work, I have the most luck with a 4" Keitech Shad Impact (other shad and flukes will work, too) typically fished weedless and weightless, else a very tiny bit of lead pinched on about 6" up from the hook to help it sink a bit faster on a light wire 1/0 EWG hook. 

 

Why? You can use it:

 

1) as a soft jerk bait,

2) fish it on the bottom like a worm,

3) fish it across all depths as a moving lure,

4) toss it as a top water beyond schooling and feeding bass and drag it over the surface,

5) and, it isn't seasonal, works at all times over a year at least down here in Texas.

 

I don't ever go out without this set up. Often, it is the only thing I take out. 8 caught in 2 hours two late afternoons ago, then a half dozen yesterday. Every single bass was caught on this set up. This, one of several from yesterday.

 

Brad

 

 

 

 

[Shimano_1]

Yum dinger

[crypt]

worm...............

 

[Todd2]

21 hours ago, Mobasser said:

My own most versatile lure through the season is the simple plastic worm. It can be fished at any depth, mid water, or on top. 

Yeah, the worm is my #1. I catch most of mine along the bottom or on the fall in wood cover. Do you catch a lot of largemouth swimming it mid depth? I try it some but don't have a lot of luck. I hear it works better for Smallies and/or swimming above grass..which I have little of both where I normally fish.

[Catt]

2 hours ago, Mobasser said:

Motor oil has been especially good

 

Do Not! Under any circumstance dip the tail in chartreuse Dip-N-Glo Garlic!