A “Tip” for Largemouth Bass Lures

Many times a lure works great, right out of the package. However, avid bass anglers in particular, seem to be a creative lot that like to “tweak” their fishing lures a bit to give their casting presentation a little something special. One of these ways is to “tip” (add a trailer) to a lure. Soft plastic grubs and swimbaits work well, especially now that pork rind baits are no longer in production.

Here are some largemouth bass lures that can be “tipped :”
 

1. Spinnerbaits. Normally set up with a pulsing colored rubber skirt, these traditional favorites can take on a new look with a soft plastic hanging off the back hook. At the recent Bassmaster Classic on Grand Lake in Oklahoma, bass fishing pro Jason Christie threw a spinnerbait paired with a medium swimbait trailer for almost every cast in the 3 day event and finished 2nd. A small grub tail can give a spinnerbait that has lost its skirt new life, without complicating the lure action.
2. Spoons. This versatile lure has a great wobble and flash on its own. However, tipping the treble hook with a small white grub tail gives it a whole new look. It will run a little shallower and connect with weeds less. And although the action becomes less aggressive, the hits aren’t!
3. Chatterbaits. This vibrating jig has a metal lip at the front which adds a crankbait-like look and feel. By adding your choice of a soft plastic trailer to this lure or any jig for that matter, you can show big bass a lure that they’ve probably never seen.

Tipping or adding a trailer won’t work on some bass lures like crankbaits because it can foul the action or complicate casting. However, that collection of small soft plastics on the bottom of your tackle box can revitalize some beaten up lures and create a unique offering that largemouth bass will appreciate. There are dozens of different types of freshwater fishing lures. To brush up on the basics, check out this freshwater fishing lures overview.

Andy Whitcomb

Andy is an outdoor writer (http://www.justkeepreeling.com/) and stressed-out Dad has contributed over 380 blogs to takemefishing.org since 2011. Born in Florida, but raised on banks of Oklahoma farm ponds, he now chases pike, smallmouth bass, and steelhead in Pennsylvania. After earning a B.S. in Zoology from OSU, he worked in fish hatcheries and as a fisheries research technician at OSU, Iowa State, and Michigan State.