Just starting to really get into bass fishing and have a pretty good selection of plastics but not much else. I'd like to go grab a handful of known productive lures before I start experimenting with rather random things.

 

After researching a ton of various threads here, it seems like the Zara Spooks (and Jr) are quite popular (not much mention of color/pattern) along with the Strike King KVD (no mention of color pattern) and Rapala Shadow Rap (Smelt was mentioned). I noted these because they covered top water, diving, and something kind of all aspect. Shad seems to be a popular pattern in general from what I'm seeing on various other topics. Are there other (or different) must haves? Don't want to go on a spending spree but would like a handful of productive lures to try out this weekend.

i like the LiveTarget wake bait bream/bluegill. 

the zara spook is good. i do like tiger stripes on the belly with a sharpie  to make it stand out and break up the pattern a little bit. Frogs are always good. The shadow rap is another great choice. 

I'd say a strike king 1.5 square bill, the one that say shallow diver and only goes to three ft, its good on the bank too since u don't have to worry about snagging the bottom too much. I like the natural bream one. A couple of hard jerkbaits in different sizes and colors. I prefer yellow perch mainly the strike king kvd and rapala. I'd also get one that's a real screamer in something like hot pink for when natural doesn't it. A couple spinnerbaits. I like the strike mini ones. I'd say match match the local forage overall but keep a couple wild things in reserve in case the fish are pressured.

Top water - spook - buzzbait - popper

A few kvd 1.5's

A few spinnerbaits

A few jerkbaits

A few lipless cranks 'Rat L trap'

All of the above a good early spring time baits.

Colors -

Cranks - natural colors - chart/black

Spinnerbaits - white,black,natural, chartreuse and combos of chartreuse.

Jerkbaits - natural colors

Lipless - natural colors - chrome/blk

I could make this list 3 pages long. Don't buy too much at first. Get good with what you have and add a few things here and there. It's easy to get carried away. Just look at the bait monkey thread. Guys are dropping $200-300 on stuff that I bet is more impulse buy than anything.

Rooster tail inline spinner in white or silver, and a rattle trap. Those are pretty deadly baits that are readily available and cheap. And classic rapala minnow cranks in black/silver, and black/gold. Those are deadly and good to have and everything I named is readily available at Walmart. And small to store. They compliment plastics well and can be thrown on several types of combos

Tubes and 5" kalins grubs. The kalins have the best tail action I have seen so specific brand there any tube brand works.

Sure, you guys start to chime in after I make a run to the store LOL. No worries, I can run back tomorrow.

Tubes and 5" kalins grubs. The kalins have the best tail action I have seen so specific brand there any tube brand works.

I agree,I reccomend gitzit 3.5inch fat tubes,They work the best for me either that or dry creek tournament tubes.

The bite-me vertical eye tube head in 1/4oz is my head of choice for tubes that size,Give them a try they catch fish.

Ya HAVE to get a Hinkle Shad, if not a Hinkle, then a Mattlures Glide, and if not a glide, then a HPH Glide, if not a HPH, then a Deps 250...otherwise ya just ain't fishing, or catching any real fish. ; )