Imagine the thrill: a sudden, powerful tug on your line, the reel screaming as a massive striped bass makes its run. That moment is what every angler dreams about. But getting to that moment often feels like guesswork. Choosing the right lure for striped bass can be incredibly frustrating. Do you pick a plug, a jig, or a soft plastic? The wrong choice means wasted time, fewer bites, and a trip home empty-handed, especially when the fish are being picky.
We understand that confusion. Striped bass, or “stripers,” are smart, powerful, and they change their feeding habits based on the season, water temperature, and what they are eating. Selecting the perfect lure is the key that unlocks their aggression. This guide cuts through the noise. By the end of this post, you will know exactly which lures work best in different conditions—from early spring shallows to late-season deep water.
Get ready to upgrade your tackle box strategy. We are diving deep into the best lures proven to catch more stripers, ensuring your next fishing trip is a successful one. Let’s explore the gear that puts big fish in the boat!
Top Lures For Striped Bass Fishing Recommendations
- Comprehensive Kit: 6 lures, 3 subsurface, 3 topwater for extensive water coverage
- Subsurface Lures: Mag Darter, Hydro Minnow LC 150, 3D Inshore Twitch Bait 130 for varied actions and depths
- Topwater Lures: 3D Inshore TopKnock Pencil 125, 3D Inshore Pencil Popper 135, 3D Inshore Popper 120 for surface-breaking options
- Ideal for All Levels: Yo-Zuri Striped Bass Kit simplifies fishing for beginners and pros alike
- Explore More: Check out the Yo-Zuri Inshore Saltwater Kit
- PREMIUM MATERIALS-Saltwater jerkbait lures are constructed from premium ABS materials,equipped with heavy duty split rings and corrosion-resistant ultra-sharp high carbon steel treble hooks,these lures are built to withstand the rigors of saltwater without corroding,ensure exceptional strength and longevity
- HIGH-SIMULATION-JOGFFDE saltwater lures are featured with brilliant holographic laser surface and lifelike 3D eyes, this exquisite design delivers stunning reflections and vivid details.This high simulation ensures they mimic the appearance and movement of real fish, effortlessly tricking target species into biting
- VIVID SWIM ACTIONS-The surf fishing lures saltwater swim like a real fish to attact predators to bite. Finished with a stainless steel rattle ball inside,integrated long casting system partners with the irresistible rattle to make them even more tempting.This combination provokes predators to strike, significantly boosting your catch rate
- VERSATILE APPLICATION-Slatwater fishing lures are great for both saltwater and freshwater,designed to target species such as salmon, bass, pike, panfish, crappie,striper,walleye and musky trout etc. Ideal for trolling, surfcasting, and various fishing techniques
- PACKAGE-Comes with 6pcs assorted surf fishing striper lures, include Minnow, Plugs, Popper Jerkbai,6 different style fits for different fishing targets.Lure length: 4.45inch-5.51inch, weigth: 13g-22g,diving depth: 0-8 Feets. This comprehensive assortment is suitable for anglers of all skill levels and makes an excellent present for fishing enthusiasts
- Soft Swimbaits: Made of environmental friendly quality soft plastic, jig head fishing lures are soft, light but durable with fishy smell to attract freshwater / saltwater fishes.
- Lifelike Culter Bait: Fishing jig soft lure features realistic 3D laser fish eyes, plump trout shaped fish mouth, fish scale and fins to imitate the real culter fish.
- Big Soft Tail: Soft and flexible big tail strongly swings and creates natural swimming action in water can easily attract bass, trout, perch, crappie, pike, walleye, mandarinfish, etc.
- Jig Head Fishing Lure: Weighted jig hook inside the head; a triple hook with a squashed double connecting ring (an optional hook hanger）at the abdomen; reasonable counterweight designed for long casting, deep sinking and high catching rate.
- What You Get: Package comes with 6 PCS fishing baits in 6 colors (blue, green, silver, white, red-white and black-red). Each bass lure is 3.54in long and weighs 0.31oz.
- 【SIMULATED DESIGN】All saltwater fishing lures are designed with brilliant holographic laser finish and create lifelike swimming actions, which can effectively stimulate carnivorous fish to bite at a long distance
- 【GRAVITY BALLS INSIDE】Surf fishing lures have steel rattle balls inside, it will move to the tail when it is thrown out, makes the lures long accurate cast and postural stability. Besides, the balls will make unique noise to attract fish attention
- 【PREMIUM MATERIAL】The fishing lures are made of durable ABS, rigged with ultra-sharp treble hooks and stainless steel split rings, hold strong, allow for faster penetration, increasing the chances of catching fish
- 【APPLICATION】These Jerkbait Lures for Fishing work great for both saltwater and freshwater. Productive when trolling, brilliant for a very broad range of fish species, such as striped bass, salmon, sea trout, striper, pike, walleye and musky etc.
- 【QUANTITY】6pcs minnow lures hard baits, different sizes are available to meet different casting needs and dive depths. Ideal for both novice and experienced anglers!
- ✅ This Propeller shape spinner spoon come equipped with beautiful bucktail teaser hook, very sharp and strong.
- ✅ Solid silver electroplating metal construction for corrosion resistance with unique scales texture makes it the best bass fishing lure.
- ✅ Ideal for bass, stripers, flounder, bluefish, weakfish, cod, pollock, tuna, grouper, snapper etc.
- ✅ Durable can increase the throw distance at the same time, let you can use longer than ordinary lures.
- ✅ Weight: approx. 1.4oz/(40gm), Length approx. 5.5in including bucktail teaser hook. Suitable for saltwater and freshwater.
- Realistic Baitfish Design with Detailed Scales: Designed to Mimic Atlantic Silverside – Attracts predatory fish like striped bass and bluefish.This Fishing Casting Jig is meticulously designed to mirror the exact size and shape of common baitfish, featuring intricate scale detailing for an authentic, lifelike appearancees Fishing Jigs Fishing Spoons for Bluefish, Striped bass, Mackerel, Little tunny. Exclusive Patented Design – Unique jig with lifelike movement and durability.
- Proven Performance: Engineered for realism, this jig mimics the swimming action of live bait, creating irresistible motion that draws the attention of predatory fish. Outfishes standard lures in crowded fishing spots.
- Multi-Purpose Saltwater Fishing Lures: Ideal for saltwater fishing, this versatile jig is perfect for various techniques, from surf fishing to boat casting, providing flexibility for any angler. Perfect for East Coast Waters – Effective in Long Island, New Jersey, and Virginia
- Designed for Target Species: This fishing set is specifically tailored to attract key species such as Mackerel, Striped bass, Bluefish, and Little tunny.Versatile Use: Suitable for sea fishing, beach fishing, pier fishing, and boat fishing.
- Durable Saltwater Construction: Designed for saltwater fishing conditions, this lure is rugged and durable to ensure it delivers dependable performance every time you fish. The lure has a patented appearance (Patent No. D1072153).
- LARGE FISHING: Pencil Popper lure comes in 6 and 7 inch options and known for ideal lures for big fish
- WEIGHTED TAIL: Weight at the tail end of the fishing lure produces potent action and long casts
- VERSITILE BAIT: Cordell Pencil Popper original for striped bass fishing, but effective for all big gamefish
- TOUGH AND DURABLE: Lure built tough enough to handle stripers, bass, musky and redfish
- FISHING LURE TECHNIQUE: Walk the Dog technique helps attract the fish with lifelike action
- 8 SEGMENTS REALISTIC LURES: Designed with 8 segmented body sections, fishing lures for bass can sink slowly and deliver a natural S-shaped swimming action at any speed, which will bring on quicker bites.
- HIGH SIMULATION: With 3D realistic looking eyes and pearl powder coating, this swimbait appears very delicate and vivid that looks like a real fish. A perfect fishing bait that easily cheats the target fishes.
- BASS VIBRATION: Made of high-quality ABS material and equipped with built-in rattle, this vibe lure can continuously emit the fish sound wave to during the swimming to provoke the feeding urge of the fishes and induce them to attack.
- ULTRA-SHARP HOOKS: The fishing hooks for bass are the highest quality and very sharp, which offer the best possible penetration force and help ensure increased fish hook ups in all situations.
- WIDELY FISHING SPECIES: This bass fishing lure can be widely used to catch bass, yellow perch, walleye, pike, muskie, roach, trout, snook. salmon etc. This swimbait is quite suitable for both saltwater and freshwater and functions well in all water layers.
The Essential Buying Guide for Striped Bass Lures
Striped bass, or “stripers,” are powerful, exciting fish to catch. Choosing the right lure makes all the difference. This guide helps you select the best artificial baits for landing your next trophy.
Key Features to Look For
When you pick up a lure, look closely at a few main things. These features help the lure look and act like real food to a striper.
- **Action/Vibration:** How does the lure move in the water? A good lure should wobble, dart, or swim naturally. Some lures create strong vibrations that fish feel even in murky water.
- **Size and Profile:** Stripers eat many sizes of baitfish. Match your lure size to the local bait. Small lures work well when bait is tiny. Big lures attract big, hungry fish.
- **Color:** Color matters, especially depending on the light and water clarity. Bright colors like chartreuse work in low light or dirty water. Natural colors, like silver or white, are best in clear water.
- **Weight/Casting Distance:** Heavier lures cast farther. You need distance when fishing from the beach or a rocky shore. Lighter lures sink slower, which is good for shallow water.
Important Materials That Matter
The material a lure uses affects how it sinks, how durable it is, and how realistic it looks.
Hard Baits (Plugs and Jigs)
These are usually made of hard plastic or wood. High-quality hard plastic resists cracking when you hit rocks. Wood lures often have a better, more natural swimming action.
Soft Plastics
Soft plastics mimic fragile baitfish perfectly. Look for plastics made from durable, thick material. Thin plastics tear easily after one fish bites them. Good soft plastics often have salt embedded in them to make fish hold on longer.
Hooks and Hardware
Never skimp on hooks. Stripers are strong fighters. Ensure the hooks are sharp and made of strong, corrosion-resistant metal (like high-carbon steel). Split rings and swivels must also be heavy-duty so they don’t break during a fight.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of a lure directly impacts your success.
What Makes a Lure Great?
- **Realistic Finishes:** High-quality paint jobs mimic scales, eyes, and gills perfectly. This realism helps fool wary fish.
- **Through-Wire Construction:** On expensive plugs, the wire that holds the hooks runs right through the body of the lure. This prevents the body from splitting if a large fish shakes it hard.
- **Proper Balance:** A well-balanced lure sinks or swims correctly. A poorly balanced lure might spin or tumble, which scares fish away.
What Lowers Lure Quality?
- **Flimsy Components:** Cheap split rings bend easily. Dull hooks need constant sharpening or replacing.
- **Poor Paint Adhesion:** If the paint chips off quickly, the lure looks unnatural after just a few uses.
- **Water Intrusion:** If water seeps into a hard lure, it changes the weight and ruins the swimming action. Good seals protect the inside.
User Experience and Use Cases
You use different lures depending on where and how you are fishing for stripers.
Surface Lures (Poppers and Walkers)
These are exciting to use! They create a commotion on top of the water. Use them during low-light hours (dawn or dusk) when stripers are actively feeding near the surface. They work great when baitfish are skipping near the top.
Subsurface Lures (Jigs and Swimmers)
When fish are holding deeper or are less aggressive, you need lures that dive. Metal jigs are excellent for casting long distances to reach deep structures. Soft plastic paddle tails are versatile; you can retrieve them slowly near the bottom or quickly through the mid-water column.
Trolling Lures
If you are moving your boat slowly, you need heavy, deep-diving plugs or spoons. These lures are designed to run at specific depths while being pulled through the water.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Striped Bass Lures
Q: What is the best all-around lure for striped bass?
A: A versatile, medium-sized soft plastic paddle tail rigged on a jig head is often considered the best starting point. It imitates many baitfish types.
Q: Should I use scented lures for stripers?
A: Scent can help, especially when the fish are sluggish or not biting aggressively. It adds an extra trigger that makes them hold on longer.
Q: When should I use metal jigs instead of plastic lures?
A: Use metal jigs when you need to cast very far or when you need the lure to sink quickly to deep water fast.
Q: How important is matching the hatch (lure color to real bait)?
A: It is very important in clear water. If the real baitfish are small and silvery, use a silvery, small lure. In murky water, brighter colors are more important than exact matching.
Q: Are expensive lures really better than cheap ones?
A: Often, yes. Expensive lures usually have better hardware, stronger hooks, and more durable, realistic finishes that hold up to rough use.
Q: What size hook should I look for on a plug?
A: For medium-sized stripers (15-25 inches), look for hooks in the size 2 to 4/0 range. Always upgrade if the factory hooks seem weak.
Q: Can I use the same lures for freshwater and saltwater stripers?
A: Yes, many lures work in both. However, saltwater lures must be more corrosion-resistant because salt water degrades metal quickly.
Q: How fast should I retrieve a topwater popper?
A: Retrieve it with short, sharp jerks that make the lure “pop” loudly. Pause between bursts to let the lure sit still, which often triggers a strike.
Q: What is the main danger of using cheap split rings?
A: Cheap split rings can spring open or straighten out when a large, fighting striper pulls hard, causing you to lose the fish.
Q: Does the time of day affect my lure choice?
A: Yes. Use darker or brighter colors at night or during very cloudy days. Use natural, subtle colors during bright midday sun.