Impulse Top 5 Bass Lures For August Fishing

August is prime time for bass fishing, with the summer heat pushing bass into specific patterns that savvy anglers can exploit. During this month, the sweltering temperatures force bass to adapt their behaviors in search of cooler, more comfortable environments. Understanding these patterns can make the difference between a frustrating day on the water and a successful one. Below are the top 5 bass fishing lures that we use at Impulse Rods to help us hook those lunkers during the month of August while fishing lakes in the south across Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.

Our top 5 bass lures for August lunkers.

• Topwater Frogs
• T-Rigs
• Crankbaits
• Spinnerbaits
• Jigs

1. Topwater Frogs For August Bass

There's nothing quite like the excitement of fishing with topwater frogs. These lures are designed to mimic the appearance and movement of real frogs, which are a natural prey for bass. These lures are often designed with realistic legs that kick and paddle as you retrieve them across the water's surface. The soft, hollow body of the frog allows it to collapse when a bass strikes, ensuring a higher hook-up ratio.

Fishing topwater frogs requires patience and precision. You need to cast them into the thickest, gnarliest cover where bass tend to hang out. This could be dense lily pads, thick hydrilla, or mats of floating vegetation. Once the topwater frog lands, let it sit for a moment, then twitch it slightly to create subtle ripples that attract attention. The key is to mimic a real frog's erratic movements to provoke a strike.

Topwater frogs come in various sizes, but a common choice is around 1/2 ounce. This weight allows for long casts and better control over the lure's movement. Colors like black, white, and natural frog patterns are particularly effective because they blend well with the surroundings and mimic real prey. Using these lures during early mornings, late evenings, or overcast days increases your chances of success as bass are more active and aggressive during these times.

Why They Work: In August, bass love hanging around dense vegetation like lily pads and hydrilla. Topwater frogs are perfect for mimicking the frogs and other critters they prey on. The explosive strikes you get on these lures are nothing short of heart-pounding.

Best Vegetation: Thick mats of lily pads, hydrilla, and milfoil are ideal. Bass lurk beneath, waiting to ambush anything that moves.

Conditions: Early mornings and late evenings, when the water is cooler. Overcast days can also extend the topwater bite.

Specs: Choose frogs with a weedless design, typically around 1/2 oz in weight. Colors like black, white, and natural frog patterns work best.

Tournament Use: Absolutely. The dramatic strikes and effectiveness in heavy cover make it a tournament staple.

Versatility: Great for kayak fishing and bank fishing, as you can cast into tight spots. Bass boats excel here, allowing you to cover large areas quickly.

2. Texas-Rigged Soft Plastics

The Texas rig is a tried-and-true method that has been putting bass in boats for decades. This rig involves threading a soft plastic bait onto a hook and adding a bullet-shaped weight to the line. The hook is then buried into the plastic, making it weedless. This design allows you to fish it through heavy cover without snagging, which is crucial during the thick vegetation of August.

Soft plastics come in various shapes and sizes, from worms and lizards to creature baits and craws. Each type offers a different action and profile, making them versatile tools for different fishing scenarios. When selecting soft plastics for a Texas rig, consider the forage in your local waters. Colors like green pumpkin, watermelon, and black/blue are universally effective because they resemble natural prey such as worms and crayfish.

Fishing a Texas rig involves pitching or flipping your bait into thick cover where bass are likely hiding. Let the bait sink to the bottom, then slowly lift and drop it, mimicking the movements of a real creature. The slow, methodical presentation is particularly effective during hot, sunny days when bass are less active and more likely to strike at a slower-moving target.

Why They Work: Texas-rigged worms, creature baits, and craws are versatile and can be fished in a variety of ways. They excel in penetrating heavy cover where bass hide during hot summer days.

Best Vegetation: Pitch them into thick grass, brush piles, and submerged vegetation.

Conditions: Hot, sunny days when bass are buried deep in cover. Fish them slowly and methodically.

Specs: Use a bullet weight (3/16 to 1/2 oz) and a 3/0 to 5/0 hook. Green pumpkin, watermelon, and black/blue are top colors.

Tournament Use: A must-have. Their versatility and effectiveness make them a go-to in many pro anglers' arsenals.

Versatility: Ideal for bank fishing, kayak fishing, and boat fishing. They’re easy to cast and control in tight quarters or open water.

3. Crankbaits For August Bass

Crankbaits are an excellent choice for covering a lot of water quickly. These hard-bodied lures are designed to dive to specific depths, making them perfect for targeting bass that have moved to deeper waters during the heat of August. The lip of the crankbait determines its diving depth and action, with larger lips allowing for deeper dives.

Crankbaits come in various shapes and sizes, each producing a different wobble and vibration. Selecting the right crankbait involves matching the lure to the depth of the water and the type of forage available. Shad patterns are particularly effective as they mimic one of the bass’s primary food sources. Chartreuse and other bright colors work well in murky water, providing visibility that triggers strikes.

Using crankbaits effectively requires an understanding of your fishing environment. Cast them along the edges of grass lines, drop-offs, and submerged structures where bass are likely to be holding. The key is to retrieve them at a steady pace, allowing the lure to deflect off cover and trigger reaction strikes. Midday, when the sun is high and bass are in deeper water, is an ideal time for crankbait fishing.

Why They Work: When bass move to deeper waters during the heat of August, crankbaits can cover water quickly and effectively. They mimic shad and other baitfish that bass feed on.

Best Vegetation: Fish them along the edges of grass lines and drop-offs where vegetation transitions into open water.

Conditions: Midday when the sun is high, and bass are in deeper water.

Specs: Deep-diving crankbaits that reach depths of 10-20 feet. Use colors that match local forage, like shad patterns and chartreuse.

Tournament Use: Perfect for covering large areas and locating schools of bass quickly.

Versatility: More suited to boat fishing where you can control depth and retrieve speed precisely. They can be used from a kayak with good results, but bank fishing can be challenging.

4. Spinnerbaits For August Bass Success.

Spinnerbaits are a versatile lure that shines in a variety of conditions. These lures consist of a lead head, a hook, and one or more spinning blades that create flash and vibration. The design allows them to be fished through heavy cover without snagging, making them ideal for murky waters and around structures.

The spinning blades on a spinnerbait can be willow leaf, Colorado, or Indiana shapes, each producing a different type of vibration and flash. Willow leaf blades are narrow and produce a lot of flash, making them perfect for clear water. Colorado blades are wider and generate more vibration, ideal for murky water. The skirt of the spinnerbait can be customized with different colors and materials to mimic local forage.

Fishing with spinnerbaits involves casting them along the edges of weed beds, stumps, and logs where bass are likely to be hiding. Retrieve them at a steady pace, allowing the blades to spin and create a commotion that attracts bass. Windy days with a bit of chop on the water are perfect conditions for spinnerbaits, as the increased water movement helps trigger strikes.

Why They Work: Spinnerbaits excel in murky water and around structure, creating flash and vibration that draw bass in. They’re excellent for covering water and finding active fish.

Best Vegetation: Fish them along the edges of weed beds, stumps, and logs.

Conditions: Windy days with a bit of chop on the water. Overcast conditions also enhance their effectiveness.

Specs: 3/8 to 1/2 oz spinnerbaits with double willow or Colorado blades. White, chartreuse, and bluegill patterns are winners.

Tournament Use: Highly effective for quickly locating bass, making them a tournament favorite.

Versatility: Excellent for bank fishing, kayak fishing, and boat fishing. Their snag-resistant design makes them versatile around cover.

5. Jigs

Jigs are among the most versatile and effective lures for targeting big bass. These lures consist of a weighted head, a hook, and a skirt that mimics various prey such as crawfish or small baitfish. The design allows jigs to be fished in heavy cover, on structure, or along the bottom, making them incredibly versatile.

When choosing a jig, consider the weight and color. Jigs typically range from 3/8 to 3/4 ounce, with heavier jigs being better for deeper water or thick cover. Colors like black/blue, green pumpkin, and brown/orange are effective as they closely resemble natural prey. Adding a trailer, such as a craw or chunk, enhances the jig’s action and appeal to bass.

Fishing with jigs involves pitching or flipping them into thick cover, letting them sink to the bottom, and then slowly lifting and dropping them to mimic the movements of a real creature. This technique is particularly effective during cooler mornings or evenings when bass are more likely to be holding tight to cover. The slow presentation entices lethargic bass to strike.

Why They Work: Jigs are incredibly versatile and effective for targeting big bass. They can be fished in heavy cover, on structure, or along the bottom, mimicking crawfish and other prey.

Best Vegetation: Pitch or flip them into thick grass, laydowns, and around docks.

Conditions: Anytime, but especially when bass are holding tight to cover. Slow presentations in cooler mornings or evenings work best.

Specs: 3/8 to 3/4 oz jigs with a strong, weedless hook. Use trailers that add action, like craws or chunks. Black/blue, green pumpkin, and brown/orange are top colors.

Tournament Use: A staple for targeting big bass in heavy cover, jigs are a top choice for many pros.

Versatility: Effective from bank, kayak, and boat. They can be used in various depths and cover types, making them a must-have in any tackle box.

Choosing the right lure in August is about understanding bass behavior and habitat. Whether you’re fishing from a kayak, the bank, or bass boat, these five types of lures will give you the versatility and effectiveness needed to succeed on water.

If you have questions about rod selection for a specific type of fishing lure, please contact an Impulse Rods sales rep here.