The Best Hard Baits For Bass Fishing - Shallow, Deep, Reaction (SPRING BUYER'S GUIDE 2026)

Today we're covering the best hard baits for Spring bass fishing! In our final Buyer's Guide of Spring, we're covering all the major categories for Spring Bass Fishing. From Blade baits to crankbaits, swimbaits to chatterbaits, these are the baits we personally fish in Spring. No matter what you face on the water, you can go confidently know exactly what we'd throw in your situation.

Spring is a great time to learn a new technique. Bass are moving shallow and you can target them with a variety of lures. Whether you're looking to dial in a technique, or you just want to fish with more confidence, these recommendations will save you a lot of time and money. These are our favorite baits from each major category we use in the Spring, so you don't have to second guess your choices when you're out fishing.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits discussed in the video, in the order they appeared. We've even included our favorite sizes and colors. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each.


TACTICALBASSIN GEAR...

•TacticalBassin Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz


PREVIOUS BUYER'S GUIDE...

•Budget Rods and Reels: https://youtu.be/3yxQzzPMxM0

•Bang For The Buck Rods and Reels: https://youtu.be/zSpUeryIBoE

•High End Rods And Reels: https://youtu.be/eN0jl8xIJR4

•Budget Baits: https://youtu.be/4_M0OoZK2Y8

•BFS Guide: https://youtu.be/BO3GbKkgobo

•Soft Baits: https://youtu.be/02vnmQ6dJzQ


JERKBAITS...

•Jackall Rerange 95: https://bit.ly/3JCi7f6

Colors: HL Silver Shad, SG Threadfin


•Duo Realis 100 SP: https://bit.ly/45LDkf7

Colors: AM Edge, Ghost Minnow, Prism Smelt


SHALLOW CRANKBAITS...

•Bill Lewis ATV 1.5: https://bit.ly/41o3ctj

Color: Fire Truck Craw, Red Glitter Craw, Tennessee Shad

•Rapala OG Rocco: https://bit.ly/3PHvNCI

Colors: Classic Craw, Red Crawdad, Bruised Citrus Shad


•Berkley Frittside 5 Clickin: https://bit.ly/4rV0Kah

Colors: Ghost Red Craw, Special Red Craw, Kentucky Blue


MID/DEEP DIVING CRANKBAITS...

•Rapala DT 12: https://bit.ly/4pSzbNU

Colors: Live River Shad, Crystal Craw, Citrus Shad


•R2S Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Color: DD Minnow, Metallic Shad, Ghost Minnow


LIPLESS CRANKBAIT...

•Nomad Swimtrex Max Series: https://bit.ly/3SjrDWD

Sizes: 1/2 oz, 3/4 oz

Colors: Red Craw, Threadfin Shad, Natural Threadfin


•Rapala Snare 50: https://bit.ly/47hD5sq

Colors: Classic Craw, Red Craw, Lemon Shad


SWIMBAITS...

•Jackall Gantarel: http://bit.ly/2adZI3R

Colors: RT Bluegill, RT Ghost Gill


•Bucca Brand 5" Bull Shad: https://bit.ly/4aYEpTm

Colors: Gizzard Magic, Matte Shad


•Bucca Brand 6" Trick Shad: https://bit.ly/4hFD5Go

Colors: Threadfintastic, Gizzard Magic, Matte Shad


•Savage Gear Scandal 200: https://bit.ly/48q7MNJ

Colors: Gizzard Shad, Rainbow Trout, Ghost Bone


SPY BAIT...

•Duo Realis Spinbait 80 (3/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3QE27YK

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Komochi Wakasagi


BLADE BAIT/TAIL SPIN...

•Damiki Vault (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Color: Black Holo, Real Shad


•Jackall Deracoup: http://bit.ly/2p8X4b0

Color: Dera Shad, Clear Shad, Silver


TOPWATER...

•Rapala PXR Jowler: https://bit.ly/3A3HDVs

Colors: Matte Shad, Pure Chrome


•Megabass Giant Dog X: https://bit.ly/2yU84eE

Colors: Bone Python, Spotlight Shad, Juvy Gill


•Megabass Karashi: https://bit.ly/3LwMGS7

Colors: Kasumi Ito, HT Ito Wakasagi, HT Moroko KS


•Megabass Karashi 80: https://bit.ly/4lgNFFK

Colors: STP, Kasumi Ito, Matte Shad


•Duo Realis Popper 64: https://bit.ly/4a1hoMQ

Colors: Ghost Gill, Ghost Minnow


•Nomad Chug Norris: https://bit.ly/3wn1zRJ

Colors: Shadow Boxer, Holo Ghost Shad


WIRE BAITS...

•Zman Evo Elite (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/3OAGB8y

Color: Electric Shad, Bama Bream, Bruised Green Pumpkin


Bluegill Trailer - Hog Farmer Spunk Shad 4.5: http://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Color: TW Sunfish Magic


•Dirty Jigs Compact Double Willow Spinnerbait: https://bit.ly/3OyxKDD

Colors: Tactical Shad, Alabama Bream


WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…


•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z


•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz


If you plan to shop, using these affiliate links before shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won't be able to see a difference but they'll know you're one of us!

2025 BUYER'S GUIDE: The Best Hardbaits For Bass Fishing (Crankbait, Topwater, Jerkbait, and More!)

Today's Buyer's Guide is all about hard baits! We're covering the best topwater, jerkbaits, crankbaits, and more! We're covering all the major categories and showing you our favorite baits! No matter what you face on the water, you can fish confidently, knowing exactly what we'd throw in your situation this year!

Whether you're looking to dial in a technique, or you just want to fish with more confidence, these recommendations will save you a lot of time and money. These are our favorite baits from each major category we use, so you don't have to second guess your choices when you're out fishing.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and equipment discussed in the video. We've included our favorite colors for each, as well as any specific components you need to fish them properly. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.


WALKING BAITS...

•Megabass Giant Dog X: https://bit.ly/2yU84eE

Colors: Bone Python, Juvy Gill, Ito Tennessee Shad


•Evergreen Showerblows SB105: https://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: Bone, Full Metal


•Heddon Super Spook: https://bit.ly/2diThgH

Color: Okie Shad


POPPERS...

•Megabass Pop Max: http://bit.ly/2qqfmm1

Colors: Mat Shad, Gill


•Lobina Rico: https://bit.ly/2RGNx4x

Colors: Absolute, Tennessee Shad


•Nomad Chug Norris: https://bit.ly/3wn1zRJ

Colors: Shadow Boxer, Holo Ghost Shad


SHALLOW CRANKBAITS...

•Bill Lewis ATV 1.5: https://bit.ly/41o3ctj

Color: Fire Truck Craw, Red Glitter Craw, Tennessee Shad


•Spro Little John: https://bit.ly/2dDfuqt

Colors: Blood Craw, Fire Craw, Matte Shad


•Rapala OG Rocco: https://bit.ly/3PHvNCI

Colors: Classic Craw, Red Crawdad, Bruised Citrus Shad


•Strike King 1.5: https://bit.ly/3xLv526

Colors: Green Gizzard Shad, Delta Red


DEEP DIVING CRANKBAITS...

•R2S Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Color: DD Minnow, Metallic Shad, True Shad


•Rapala DT 16: http://bit.ly/2BL0UYl

Color: Live River Shad, Green Gizzard Shad


•Strike King 6XD: https://bit.ly/2ery44M

Color: Sexy Shad, Gizzard Shad


LIPLESS CRANKBAIT...

•Nomad Swimtrex Max Series: https://bit.ly/3SjrDWD

Sizes: 1/2 oz, 3/4 oz

Colors: Red Craw, Threadfin Shad, Natural Threadfin


•Jackall TN Series: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Size: TN70 (3/4 oz), TN60 (1/2 oz)

Colors: SS Shad, SG Threadfin, Crawfish


•Bill Lewis Rat L Trap (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2gm8CjC

Colors: Rayburn Red Craw, Silver Shad, Diamond Dust


JERKBAITS...

•Megabass Vision 110: https://bit.ly/3tw8Cpz

Colors: Mat Shad, Elegy Bone, Ito Tennessee Shad


•Shimano Zumverno 95 SP: https://bit.ly/3Gbzrmw

Colors: S Hasu, Clown, Macchiato


•Duo Realis Raz 105 SP: https://bit.ly/4foltw8

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Prism Smelt


SPOONS...

•Nichols Blade Runner Duh Spoon: https://bit.ly/4cSEVki

Size: 3/4 – 1 3/4 oz

Colors: Morning Dawn UV, Sierra UV, Shattered Glass Silver


•Nichols Lake Fork Flutter Spoon: https://bit.ly/2ICAGKL

Colors: Shattered Glass Silver, Purple Threadfin


•War Eagle Jigging Spoon (7/8 oz): https://bit.ly/2H9dJV1

Colors: Nickel, Purple Shad


SPYBAITS...

•Duo Realis Spinbait Series: https://bit.ly/3QE27YK

Sizes: 80

Natural Colors: Ghost Minnow, River Bait


•Spro Spin John 80: https://bit.ly/3ycTg9o

Colors: Herring Pink, Matte Shad


BLADE BAITS...

•Damiki Vault (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Colors: Black Holo, Real Shad, Holo Cyber Purple


•Megabass Dyna Response (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/2R7FlvL

Colors: Jukucho Shad, Ito Hiau


•Silver Buddy (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/2AcTelj

Colors: Silver Plated


TAIL SPINS...

•Jackall Deracoup (1/2 – 3/4 oz): https://bit.ly/2p8X4b0

Colors: Silver, Clear Shad, Dera Shad


•Damiki Axe Blade (3/4 – 1 oz): https://bit.ly/2w2uB9t

Colors: Black Holo, Holo Real Shad


PREVIOUS BUYER'S GUIDES...

•Best Spinnerbaits/A Rigs– https://youtu.be/ipLAgQwf_t0

•Best Entry Level Combos– https://youtu.be/4O2ewrZzuJw

•Best Budget Baller Combos– https://youtu.be/sTtrvJ6xPYE

•Best "Affordable" Combos– https://youtu.be/HU5KG3rENDA

•High End Combos– https://youtu.be/7tj_awFmJLM

•Best "Enthusiast" Rods And Reels– https://youtu.be/J7ikDrkx6fU

•Spinning Reels– https://youtu.be/vie_pr69cdI

•Casting Reels– https://youtu.be/QLsdeEaVLJg

•Swimbaits– https://youtu.be/nVS6r2V1LvM


WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

The Best Hard Baits For Spring Bass Fishing! (Cranks, Topwater, Chatterbait, Spinnerbait)

Welcome back to our Spring Buyer's Guide Series! Today we're covering the best hard baits for Spring bass fishing! Blade baits, crankbaits, swimbaits, jerkbaits, topwater, and wire baits... we're taking all the major Spring categories and showing your our favorite baits! No matter what you face on the water, you can go confidently know exactly what we'd throw in your situation this Spring!

Spring is a great time to learn a new technique. Bass are moving shallow and you can target them with a variety of lures. Whether you're looking to dial in a technique, or you just want to fish with more confidence, these recommendations will save you a lot of time and money. These are our favorite baits from each major category we use in the Spring, so you don't have to second guess your choices when you're out fishing.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits discussed in the video, in the order they appeared. We've even included our favorite sizes and colors. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each.


SHALLOW CRANKBAITS...

•Bill Lewis ATV 1.5: https://bit.ly/41o3ctj

Color: Fire Truck Craw, Red Glitter Craw, Tennessee Shad

•Rapala OG Rocco: https://bit.ly/3PHvNCI

Colors: Classic Craw, Red Crawdad, Bruised Citrus Shad


•Spro Little John: https://bit.ly/2dDfuqt

Colors: Blood Craw, Fire Craw, Matte Shad


MID DIVING CRANKBAITS...

•Megabass Super Z2: https://bit.ly/3fsxn9G

Color: Wild Craw, Gillko, Kasumi Ito


•Spro Rock Crawler: http://bit.ly/2BLmsVN

Color: Red Crawfish, Phantom Green


DEEP DIVING CRANKBAITS...

•R2S Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Color: DD Minnow, Metallic Shad, Ghost Minnow


•Rapala DT 16: http://bit.ly/2BL0UYl

Color: Live River Shad, Green Gizzard Shad


LIPLESS CRANKBAIT...

•Bill Lewis Rat L Trap (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2gm8CjC

Colors: Rayburn Red Craw, Silver Shad, Diamond Dust


•Jackall TN Series: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Size: TN70 (3/4 oz), TN60 (1/2 oz)

Colors: SS Shad, SG Threadfin, Crawfish


•Nomad Swimtrex Max Series: https://bit.ly/3SjrDWD

Sizes: 1/2 oz, 3/4 oz

Colors: Red Craw, Threadfin Shad, Natural Threadfin


JERKBAIT...

•Megabass Vision 110 Jr +1: https://bit.ly/2LnK389

Colors: Matte Shad, Kasumi Ito, Elegy Bone


•Shimano World Minnow: https://bit.ly/3Fwg9F6

Colors: S Hasu, Clown, Macchiato


•Shimano Zumverno 95 SP: https://bit.ly/3Gbzrmw

Colors: S Hasu, Clown, Macchiato


TOPWATER...

•Evergreen Shower Blows 105: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: Blueback Herring, Full Metal


•Megabass Giant Dog X: https://bit.ly/2yU84eE

Colors: Megabass Sexy Shad, Wagin Hasu 2


•Megabass Karashi: https://bit.ly/3LwMGS7

Colors: Kasumi Ito, HT Ito Wakasagi, HT Moroko KS


POPPERS...

•Shimano World Pop: https://bit.ly/3sSjJpI

Colors: N Smelt, T Smelt


•Megabass Pop Max: http://bit.ly/2qqfmm1

Colors: Mat Shad, Gill


•Nomad Chug Norris: https://bit.ly/3wn1zRJ

Colors: Shadow Boxer, Holo Ghost Shad


SPY BAITS...

•Duo Realis Spinbait 80 (3/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3QE27YK

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Komochi Wakasagi


•Spro SpinJohn 80: https://bit.ly/3ycTg9o

Colors: Herring Pink, Matte Shad


BLADE BAITS...

•Megabass Dyna Response (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2R7FlvL

Color: Ito Hiuo, Jukucho Shad


•Damiki Vault (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Color: Black Holo, Real Shad


TAIL SPINS...

•Damiki Axe Blade: https://bit.ly/2w2uB9t

Colors: Black Holo, Holo Real Shad


•Jackall Deracoup: http://bit.ly/2p8X4b0

Color: Dera Shad, Clear Shad, Silver


•Savage Gear Fat Tail Spin: https://bit.ly/3vDlzv6

Color: Black and Chrome, Clown


WAKEBAIT...

•River2Sea Tactical Wake 210: https://bit.ly/3aV6peA

Color: Copper Carp, Hitch, Chrome Gill


BLUEGILL SWIMBAITS...

•Baitsanity Explorer Gill: https://bit.ly/3F65FxK

Color: Bluegill, Dark Bluegill


•Jackall Gantarel: http://bit.ly/2adZI3R

Color: RT Bluegill, RT Ghost Gill


GLIDE BAITS...

•Bucca Brand 6" Trick Shad: https://bit.ly/4hFD5Go

Colors: Threadfintastic, Gizzard Magic, Matte Shad


•SPRO KGB Chad Shad: https://bit.ly/3AqivoQ

Colors: Threadfin Shad, Gizzard Shad


•Baitsanity Chimera Shad: https://bit.ly/44XiYvW

Colors: Bone, Gizzard Shad, Hitch


WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

SPRING BUYER'S GUIDE: BEST CRANKBAITS, JERKBAITS, TOPWATER, SWIMBAITS...

Welcome back to our Spring Buyer's Guide Series! Today we're covering the best hard baits for Spring bass fishing! Blade baits, crankbaits, swimbaits, jerkbaits, even topwater... we're taking all the major Spring categories and showing your our favorite baits, so you can fish with more confidence this Spring!

Spring is a great time to learn a new technique. Bass are moving shallow and you can target them with a variety of lures. Whether you're looking to dial in a technique, or you just want to fish with more confidence, these recommendations will save you a lot of time and money. These are our favorite baits from each major category we use in the Spring, so you don't have to second guess your choices when you're out fishing.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits discussed in the video, in the order they appeared. We've even included our favorite sizes and colors. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each.


TOPWATER...

•River2Sea Whopper Plopper 110: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Monkey Butt, Bone


•Evergreen Shower Blows 105: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: Blueback Herring, Full Metal


•Megabass Giant Dog X: https://bit.ly/2yU84eE

Colors: Megabass Sexy Shad, Wagin Hasu 2


•Shimano World Pop: https://bit.ly/3sSjJpI

Colors: N Smelt, T Smelt


•Megabass Pop Max: http://bit.ly/2qqfmm1

Colors: Mat Shad, Gill


•Shimano Macbeth 50S: https://bit.ly/48m3ch1

Colors: Ghost Shad, Sleeper Shad


•Megabass Karashi: https://bit.ly/3LwMGS7

Colors: Kasumi Ito, HT Ito Wakasagi, HT Moroko KS


SPY BAITS...

•Duo Realis Spinbait 80 (3/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3QE27YK

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Komochi Wakasagi


•Spro SpinJohn 80: https://bit.ly/3ycTg9o

Colors: Herring Pink, Matte Shad


JERKBAIT...

•Megabass Vision 110 Jr +1: https://bit.ly/2LnK389

Colors: Matte Shad, Kasumi Ito, Elegy Bone


•Shimano World Minnow: https://bit.ly/3Fwg9F6

Colors: S Hasu, Clown


•Shimano Zumverno 95 SP: https://bit.ly/3Gbzrmw

Colors: S Hasu, Clown


SQUAREBILL CRANKBAIT...

•Bill Lewis ATV 1.5: https://bit.ly/41o3ctj

Color: Fire Truck Craw, Red Glitter Craw, Tennessee Shad

•Rapala OG Rocco: https://bit.ly/3PHvNCI

Colors: Classic Craw, Red Crawdad, Bruised Citrus Shad


•Spro Little John: https://bit.ly/2dDfuqt

Colors: Blood Craw, Fire Craw, Matte Shad


LIPLESS CRANKBAIT...

•Bill Lewis Rat L Trap (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2gm8CjC

Colors: Rayburn Red Craw, Silver Shad, Diamond Dust


•Jackall TN Series: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Size: TN70 (3/4 oz), TN60 (1/2 oz)

Colors: SS Shad, SG Threadfin, Crawfish


•Nomad Swimtrex Max Series: https://bit.ly/3SjrDWD

Sizes: 1/2 oz, 3/4 oz

Colors: Red Craw, Threadfin Shad, Natural Threadfin


BLADE BAITS...

•Megabass Dyna Response (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2R7FlvL

Color: Ito Hiuo, Jukucho Shad


•Damiki Vault (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Color: Black Holo, Real Shad


TAIL SPINS...

•Damiki Axe Blade: https://bit.ly/2w2uB9t

Colors: Black Holo, Holo Real Shad


•Jackall Deracoup: http://bit.ly/2p8X4b0

Color: Dera Shad, Clear Shad, Silver


•Savage Gear Fat Tail Spin: https://bit.ly/3vDlzv6

Color: Black and Chrome, Clown


DEEP DIVING CRANKBAITS...

•R2S Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Color: DD Minnow, Metallic Shad, Ghost Minnow


•Nomad D Trak 65: https://bit.ly/4a5wAYX

Colors: Natural Threadfin, Natural Shad


•Rapala DT 16: http://bit.ly/2BL0UYl

Color: Live River Shad, Green Gizzard Shad


MID DIVING CRANKBAITS...

•Spro Rock Crawler: http://bit.ly/2BLmsVN

Color: Red Crawfish, Phantom Green


•Megabass Super Z2: https://bit.ly/3fsxn9G

Color: Wild Craw, Gillko, Kasumi Ito


GLIDE BAITS...

•River2Sea S Waver 168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Color: Light Trout, TW Cali Hitch


•SPRO KGB Chad Shad: https://bit.ly/3AqivoQ

Colors: Threadfin Shad, Gizzard Shad


•Baitsanity Chimera Shad: https://bit.ly/44XiYvW

Colors: Bone, Gizzard Shad, Hitch


WAKEBAIT...

•River2Sea Tactical Wake 210: https://bit.ly/3aV6peA

Color: Copper Carp, Hitch, Chrome Gill


BLUEGILL SWIMBAITS...

•Baitsanity Explorer Gill: https://bit.ly/3F65FxK

Color: Bluegill, Dark Bluegill


•Jackall Gantarel: http://bit.ly/2adZI3R

Color: RT Bluegill, RT Ghost Gill


TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz