What's the best bait for bass fishing in Lake Michigan?

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

**Short answer:** For mid-summer on Lake Michigan, there isn’t a single "best" bait — but if I had to pick one go-to it’s a *paddle‑tail swimbait* (3"–5") fished along rock edges and dropoffs. 🎣🐟

**Why a paddle‑tail swimbait?**
- Lake Michigan bass (especially *smallmouth*) key on shad and crayfish in summer. A paddle‑tail imitates both profiles when retrieved at the right speed. 
- Works well on both clean rock flats and in stained water near windblown points.

**Other top baits to rotate through:**
- **Jigs** (3/8–1/2 oz) tipped with a soft plastic trailer — deadly on ledges and current seams. 🪨
- **Crankbaits** (shallow to medium diving) for covering water and triggering reaction strikes. 🔄
- **Lipless crankbaits** for windy, shallow flats — great when bass are schooling on baitfish. 🌬️
- **Topwater** (walk‑the‑dog or popper) for low‑light periods — mornings and evenings only in summer. 🌅

Check out these quick video rundowns for summer/lake tactics:
- "The Best Lures For Summer Bass Fishing!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WEfqtSKd1Y (thumbnail: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4WEfqtSKd1Y/hqdefault.jpg) 📺
- "Top 5 Baits For July Bass Fishing!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4NK3sySaOg (thumbnail: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/U4NK3sySaOg/hqdefault.jpg) 📺
- "7 Best Bass Lures That Work Year Round" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4PncXqeTUQ (thumbnail: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/s4PncXqeTUQ/hqdefault.jpg) 📺

Want a ready kit? These Amazon packs have good starter options (swimbaits, crankbaits, jigs):
- PLUSINNO Bass Lures Kit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LN9729I 🧰 (good mix of crankbaits & plastics)
- PLUSINNO 78‑pc Freshwater Kit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086PHC2KB 💼 (covers lots of scenarios)
- Pre‑rigged weedless swimbaits (DeLong): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8RS5SS3 🐠 (excellent for weedlines)

Practical tip: *When you find a rock edge or dropoff, pitch a 3/8–1/2 oz jig along the break, let it sink to the bottom, then hop it slowly back toward open water.* If you don’t get bites, switch to a slow‑rolled 3.5" paddle‑tail swimbait at the same depth.

Weather‑specific tip (based on current Lake Michigan Beach conditions: 73.9°F, partly cloudy, wind ~10 mph):
- Wind is your friend — fish windblown points and gravel bars with spinnerbaits or crankbaits to mimic pressured baitfish. On a 10 mph breeze, fish slightly heavier (line/lure) to hold bottom contact. 🌬️

Seasonal weather summary: Mid‑summer water temps push bass deeper during the heat of day. Early mornings and evenings are prime for topwater; mid‑day you’ll find fish on cooler ledges, deeper points, and in current seams.

You’ve got the right baits and a simple plan — now get out there, trust your cadence, and enjoy the fight. Tight lines and big bass ahead! 🎣💪

Bass Fishing Questions

More Questions

Question is what other species are competing with salmon for resources such as food and space

What bass fishing topic would you like to tackle today?

What mm braid is best for a 6–7 g minnow?

best place to fish in san francisco?

What are the deepest coastal waters around Sicily suitable for shore jigging?

How do fish migrate into the Fall, in Canada? Are fish still in small rivers, or do they find their way to larger and deeper bodies of water?

Free patches for fishing vest

Question is Where in the pond should I cast

Community