Top 5 Lures for Bass Fishing in West Texas

Bass fishing in West Texas presents anglers with a variety of challenges and opportunities. The region’s lakes and reservoirs, such as Lake Nasworthy, O.H. Ivie, and Twin Buttes Reservoir, are home to an abundance of largemouth and smallmouth bass. However, the key to success lies in selecting the right lures for the job.
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At Proline Marine, we specialize in providing the latest and most effective fishing gear to help you make the most of your time on the water. Below, we’ll break down the top five bass fishing lures that will help you land trophy-sized bass in West Texas.

1. Soft Plastic Creature Baits
Soft plastic creature baits are among the most effective lures for bass fishing in Texas, especially during the hot summer months when fish become more finicky. These baits resemble crawfish, insects, and other natural prey, making them an irresistible choice for bass lurking near cover.

One of the best options available at Proline Marine is the Rage Tail Space Monkey. This versatile bait features fluttering appendages that mimic a wounded crawfish, making it a prime target for hungry bass.

How to Fish It:

• Texas Rig: Pair the Space Monkey with a 3/0 worm hook and a 3/16 oz. tungsten weight to create a weedless presentation that can be worked through vegetation, submerged logs, and rock structures.
• Color Selection: For West Texas waters, Green Pumpkin and Watermelon Red Flake are excellent choices that closely resemble natural prey.

Soft plastics are a go-to option when bass become wary of faster-moving baits, making them a must-have in your tackle box.

2. Paddle Tail Swimbaits
Paddle tail swimbaits are an extremely versatile lure that can be used in both shallow and deep waters. The subtle tail movement creates a natural swimming action that entices even the most lethargic bass.

At Proline Marine, we recommend using Keitech Swing Impact Swimbaits, which feature a realistic texture and scent to draw in bass from a distance.

How to Fish It:

• Belly-Weighted Hook: Rigging a paddle tail swimbait on a belly-weighted hook allows it to be fished slowly across the bottom, mimicking an injured baitfish.
• Spinnerbait Trailer: Attaching a paddle tail swimbait to a spinnerbait adds extra action and vibration, making it irresistible to bass in stained or murky waters.
• Best Colors: Shad, Bluegill, and Chartreuse work well in West Texas lakes where bass primarily feed on baitfish.

Paddle tails shine during the pre-spawn and fall seasons when bass are feeding aggressively to bulk up before temperature changes.

3. Topwater Frogs
There’s nothing more thrilling than watching a bass explode on a topwater frog! Frog lures are ideal for fishing in areas with thick vegetation, where bass hide to ambush prey.

Proline Marine’s top-rated frog lures include:

• Booyah Pad Crasher
• SPRO Bronzeye Frog

These frogs feature ultra-soft bodies for better hook-up ratios and natural color patterns to enhance their realism.

How to Fish It:

• Target Weedy Areas: Cast your frog into lily pads, hydrilla, and other dense cover, then use short twitches to mimic a frog’s natural movement.
• Pause Between Twitches: Bass often strike during pauses, so don’t rush your retrieve!
• Hook Modification: Bending the hooks slightly outward improves the hook-up ratio, ensuring more landed fish.

Topwater frogs are most effective during the early morning and late evening, when bass are actively hunting near the surface.

4. Spinnerbaits
Spinnerbaits are an excellent lure for covering water quickly and locating active bass. They work exceptionally well in West Texas’ murky reservoirs, where the flash and vibration help bass locate the bait.

At Proline Marine, we recommend the Strike King Premier Plus Spinnerbait, which features double-bladed action and a high-quality skirt that flares naturally in the water.

How to Fish It:

• Slow Roll in Deep Water: Use a 3/8 oz. or 1/2 oz. spinnerbait and retrieve it slowly along drop-offs and submerged brush piles.
• Burn It in Shallow Water: In warmer months, a fast retrieve across flats and shallow coves can trigger reaction strikes from aggressive bass.
• Best Colors: White/Chartreuse for stained water, Shad or Bluegill for clear water.

Spinnerbaits are a great search bait when bass aren’t concentrated in one area, allowing you to find active fish quickly.

5. Jerkbaits
Jerkbaits are a must-have for cold-water bass fishing and are particularly effective during the pre-spawn and winter months in West Texas. Their erratic darting action mimics an injured baitfish, triggering reaction strikes from bass that might otherwise ignore other presentations.

Proline Marine carries the Rapala X-Rap and Megabass Vision 110, both of which are high-quality suspending jerkbaits designed to stay in the strike zone longer.

How to Fish It:

• Twitch, Twitch, Pause: Use a series of sharp twitches followed by a pause. The pause is often when bass strike!
• Longer Pauses in Cold Water: When the water temperature drops, increase your pause time to 5–10 seconds between twitches.
• Best Colors: Silver, Ghost Minnow, and Blueback Herring imitate natural baitfish found in Texas lakes.

Jerkbaits are an underrated but extremely effective lure that can produce big bites, especially when bass are sluggish.

Bonus Tip: Use Attractants to Increase Your Success!
For an added edge, consider using a fish attractant like ProLine Baits Bass Series Fish Attractant. Simply spray it on your soft plastics or hard baits to enhance the scent and increase strike rates.

Why Choose Proline Marine for Your Bass Fishing Gear?
At Proline Marine, we are passionate about providing anglers with top-rated lures and expert advice for bass fishing in West Texas. Our expansive Bait Wall features the latest innovations and hard-to-find baits designed to help you catch more fish.

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a seasoned tournament angler, we have the gear and knowledge to help you succeed on the water.

Visit Us at Proline Marine to Gear Up for Your Next Fishing Trip!

Final Thoughts
Choosing the right lures is essential for bass fishing success in West Texas. By incorporating these top five lures into your tackle box, you’ll be well-prepared for any fishing conditions.

• Soft Plastics for finesse fishing
• Paddle Tail Swimbaits for versatility
• Topwater Frogs for explosive strikes
• Spinnerbaits for covering water fast
• Jerkbaits for cold-water finesse

By adapting your lure selection based on seasonal conditions and bass behavior, you’ll improve your chances of landing trophy-sized bass on your next trip.

Now get out there and tight lines! 🎣