Top 5 Best Bait Categories for August

In summer, bass try to expend as little energy as possible when hunting.

That's why bugs that accidentally drop into the water from overhanging branches become an easy and irresistible target.

These shaded areas along the shoreline not only offer cover but also serve as ambush points for bass waiting below.

Take cicadas, for example. MEGABASS’s SIGLETT mimics a dying cicada that has fallen into the water—right down to its buzzing sound. Its dual internal rattles replicate the sound of an actual cicada, adding realism and drawing strikes.

On the other hand, JACKALL’s WamWam Flare presents a bug that has already fallen underwater and given up. This lure is especially effective when targeting bass buried deep in weed beds that refuse to come to the surface.

The cooler temperatures of early morning and late evening mark feeding time for bass. During these windows, their eyes turn upward, scanning the surface for prey. Use topwater plugs with a slow, deliberate retrieve to give even sluggish bass a chance to commit.

A true classic in this category is the MEGABASS POP X. Its signature “pop” sound and consistent, controlled dog-walk action make it a go-to in any topwater arsenal. Thanks to its tuned hydrodynamic body, it swims cleanly and triggers reaction bites with minimal movement.

*BOUNTY FISH

For bass that are still feeding aggressively, side-to-side walking baits can mimic palm-sized baitfish cruising near the surface. A 5–7 inch baitfish represents a hearty, energy-efficient meal—and bass can’t resist. Use walk-the-dog action to keep the lure in the strike zone while drawing attention.

If you want to stay in place and maximize your appeal, try JACKALL’s Maekon 180SF. Its jointed body limits forward motion while keeping its tail-end action alive, making it ideal for tight, pinpoint presentations. The bait’s water-pushing design and tail enhance its visual and vibratory appeal.

When targeting bass deep under cover, a lure like JACKALL’s Bounty Fish is a solid pick. Known for its excellent skipping ability, it’s great for sliding into tight spots. It can be rigged with an offset hook to reduce snags.

If you're targeting heavy cover directly—places where bass seek refuge from the summer heat—soft-plastics come into play. Dense weed beds or laydowns are prime summer spots, but they're also snag magnets. This is where weedless rigs like the Texas and Free Rig excel.

Use a Texas Rig when you want to actively shake or hop the bait, and go with a Free Rig when you prefer a natural, slow fall after the sinker touches bottom.

When using a Free Rig, GEECRACK’s Bellows Gill is a standout. Its fully ribbed body grips water well and creates a slow, fluttering fall that calls bass in. Those ribs also add bulk and make the bait easier for bass to inhale.

Just like cover, deep water becomes a summer sanctuary for bass seeking cooler temperatures. When they're holding deep and not actively feeding, triggering a reaction strike becomes key.

Bouncing your crankbait off the bottom to create erratic movements is a proven tactic. Even straight retrieves with the right deep-diving crankbait can draw attention. Use your fishfinder to determine the depth and select your crank accordingly.

The MEGABASS Deep-X series is a reliable choice. It features a wide wobble on the dive, then tightens up at max depth—often just the switch-up needed to trigger a bite.

If you're looking for ease of use, NORIES’s Shot Over 5 is a powerful tool. It reaches the 5-meter(16 ft.) class with a standard cast and retrieve and does so with minimal resistance, making it ideal for covering large deep zones efficiently.

To go even deeper, especially using trolling techniques, the IMAKATSU IK-800R2 is hard to beat. It dives to 5.5m(18ft) with a regular cast and exceeds 8m(26ft) when trolled, reaching bass that other lures simply can’t.