Spring and summer are prime time to get outside, slow down, and reconnect with nature. As the weather warms up, bass become more active, and having the right lure can mean the difference between a good day and a great one. At CarryCast™, we’re all about helping you travel light and fish more—whether you’re hiking to alpine lakes or pulling over at a backcountry pond.
Here are the top 5 bass fishing lures to keep in your tackle box for spring and summer. These picks will help you stay ready to cast anywhere your adventure takes you.
1. Crankbaits — Cover Water Fast
In both spring and summer, bass are feeding aggressively and chasing baitfish. Crankbaits are made for this moment. They help you cover lots of water fast and imitate injured baitfish with their tight wobble and vibrant flash. In early spring, go for deeper-diving crankbaits to reach fish still hanging low. As summer hits, shallow and medium-diving crankbaits shine when bass push closer to the surface and structure.
Why it works: Crankbaits mimic panicked prey and trigger reaction strikes from hungry bass—fast-paced and perfect for warm-water action.
2. Spinnerbaits — Versatile & Reliable
Spinnerbaits are your all-season workhorse. The flashing blades and pulsing skirt create vibration and visibility in all water conditions—from clear spring creeks to murky summer lakes. Toss them near submerged logs, grassy points, or rocky shorelines where bass hide and ambush.
Why it works: Spinnerbaits grab attention with vibration and flash, making them ideal when bass are holding near structure or murky water edges.
3. Jigs — Target Bass at Any Depth
Spring and summer both bring changing water temps and feeding patterns. That’s where jigs shine. They’re incredibly adaptable, letting you fish deep points, brush piles, or shallow structure. Add a craw or creature trailer to mimic natural forage like crawfish or baitfish. Swim them, drag them, or hop them along the bottom—jigs can do it all.
Why it works: Jigs offer a natural look with excellent control, helping you fish at any depth and adapt to changing conditions.
4. Topwater Lures — Explosive Action Up Top
Summer mornings and spring evenings are perfect for topwater fishing. As bass cruise the shallows to feed or spawn, topwater lures bring explosive, surface-level action. Try poppers for splashy strikes, walking baits for a zigzag “walk-the-dog” pattern, or hollow-body frogs for fishing through pads and thick cover.
Why it works: Topwater lures create commotion and draw vicious strikes—perfect for when bass are shallow and aggressive.
Poppers
Walk the dog baits
Topwater Jitterbugs
5. Soft Plastics — Subtle but Deadly
When bass get picky—especially during early spring or hot summer afternoons—soft plastics are the finesse solution. Think worms, craws, or creature baits rigged Texas- or wacky-style. They can be worked slowly across the bottom or flipped into heavy cover where big bass hide.
Why it works: Soft plastics offer a lifelike feel and slow presentation, ideal for sluggish fish or high-pressure days.
Final Cast
Whether you're exploring a new lake or returning to a familiar fishing hole, having the right lures can make your spring and summer bass fishing unforgettable. Each lure on this list helps you adapt to the conditions and fish more confidently wherever your adventure leads.
At CarryCast™, we build compact, travel-ready fishing gear designed to fit your lifestyle. Whether you're packing light for a backpacking trip or heading out for a weekend at the lake, our gear is built to go where you go.
Ready to land your biggest bass yet?
Order your CarryCast™ gear today and Take Your Fishing Anywhere.
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