Smallmouth Bass

Slender hardbaits that imitate swimming baitfish on a steady retrieve and dart on short twitches.

Rounded hardbaits that dive and wobble using a lip; the family includes shallow, medium and deep runners.

Flat-sided hardbaits with a back line tie and a tight vibration, distinct from thin metal blade baits.

A cupped mouth pushes water to produce surface disturbance, unlike a frog or wire-frame buzzbait.

Slim floating hardbaits worked with short twitches and slight slack to walk side to side.

A wire arm separates rotating blades from a skirted hook head, combining flash and vibration.

A blade rotates around a central shaft; useful in streams and open water with widely varying model weights.

A thin weighted metal blade vibrates on the lift, distinct from elongated metal jigs and hard-bodied lipless cranks.

A weighted hook, skirt and trailer for bottom presentations; this entry does not represent every jig.

Skirted jigs designed primarily for swimming retrieves, often with paddletail or craw trailers.

A front blade creates vibration while a skirt and soft trailer form a baitfish profile. ChatterBait is a brand name.

Slender worms and stickbaits presented with slow falls, shakes and drags; the rig defines depth and action.

Paddle or curly tails move during retrieve and can be used on jigheads, offset hooks or as trailers.

Soft baits with claws or appendages for Texas/free rigs or jig trailers.

Imitations tied from feathers, hair or synthetics; dry flies, nymphs and streamers require distinct presentations.