Bass sport fishing is among the most popular summertime sporting events all across the United States. Amateurs and professionals alike enter bass fishing tournaments as well as simply enjoy a bass fishing weekend or a visit to a favorite lake.

Besides being a significant sporting event, bass fishing is considered an art. To be successful, it is essential to be able to choose the best bass fishing lures to use based on the behavior of the fish, water temperature, seasonal movements, and water conditions.

In any region where bass exist, there are many types of freshwater bass fishing lures that are used. This is because there are many types of bass, including large and small-mouthed bass, spotted, stripped, peacock, and white bass. Each of these varieties requires using a different type and size lure. Following are the most common bass fishing lures:

Swimbaits - these bass fishing lures are sectioned and streamlined in order to closely approximate the movement of a minnow when swimming. Usually, they possess coloration such as the fish used for bait in the area; and, for most bass fishing, the shad colors are very often appreciated. The swimbait offers options. It can have a single hook, a treble hook or a series of hooks.

Topwater baits - these lures are used on the water's surface. They are made to move across the water and float in order to attract bass that are feeding directly under the surface. Topbaits may be buzzbaits or rattlebaits that cause their movement through the water to make a vibration or sound to attract bass, or they may have little propellers that are there to produce a splashing sound when breaking the water's surface.

Crankbait - these bass fishing lures may be used at any water depth including deep, mid-level, or very close to the top. Crankbaits come with or without a lip, which is dependent on the depth at which they are used and the action that the fisherman desires to get from them. Crankbaits are most often shaped to resemble thick minnows and they attract fish when they move through the water while the lure is being reeled in.

Topwater baits - these particular bass fishing lures are used on the water's surface. They float and are moved in order to attract bass feeding just below the surface. Topbaits are usually rattlebaits or buzzbaits and actually utilize the movement along the surface of the water to produce a sound or vibration that helps attract bass. Or, they may have small propellers to make a splashing sound when they are cutting through the surface of the water.

Additionally, bass fishing baits may include live bait fish, worms, and trolling baits. More often than not, the bass fishing lures will be brightly colored for fishing in the deeper waters and bright conditions and more naturally colored when fishing in the shallow and cloudier water found close to shore.