I am 13 years old and was wondering what would be some effective (both cost and fishing wise) lure to get. I fish smallmouth from shore in clear lake water. I live in Washington so the bass will be in cold water. If you have any recommendations or would like to get rid of some lures let me know. Thanks Matt

Likely tubes would be your best bet.

Tubes and some finesse worms on a drop shot should work well.

Spooks and poppers. You can buy one of each and usually hang on to them for a long time.

4" yum dingers or something along those lines, also look for clearance deals on things like rebel crawdads and Zara Spook Jr's and/or puppy spooks. Grubs could be a good way to go also.

1/8, 3/16, or 1/4 oz ball head jigs with 3 or 4 inch twisters tails. Very inexpensive and they catch fish. You don't even have to have them painted. The smallies don't care. I used to buy bags of 100, Pumpkin color Mister Twister 4 inch grubs. Toss them out, let them sink, and hop them back.

1/8, 3/16, or 1/4 oz ball head jigs with 3 or 4 inch twisters tails. Very inexpensive and they catch fish. You don't even have to have them painted. The smallies don't care. I used to buy bags of 100, Pumpkin color Mister Twister 4 inch grubs. Toss them out, let them sink, and hop them back.

 

Wow, that really takes me back! The only thing I did a little different was use a crank-&-glide retrieve.

Thanks for the memories

 

Roger

Tubes and/or grubs

For Washington,(that's where I live) I like dropshots the best.  KVD dream shot with pumpkin colors is my go to

And also they work best right next to the docks. 

How long of a leader do you use on your drop shot around docks wuchr20?

By the way: nice username.

Ned rig

Look up the ned rig - you can catch dozens and dozens of bass on one bait

3" grubs & jig heads can be fished in many ways and will catch smallmouth!  Id start off with a pack of black & a pack of pumpkin add an 1/8 oz round ball head.. Then, pick you up a topwater bait like a pop-r, tiny torpedo, or a zara spook and you are ready to fish..  For under 10 bucks, you will be able to catch a lot!!

Drop shot would be my bait of choice. Year-round bait that will produce in just about any conditions if you fish it correctly

If I could only have 3 lures to fish for smallmouths for the rest of my life, easy choice.

1. Rebel Pop R

2. Bitsy bug jig with ragetail chunk.

3. 4 inch grub 1/8 ballhead jig. Color smoke/black fleck.

There are three go to lures that you can spend 20 bucks on and have enough to last all year and will work year round, even the Pop R. You can add stuff like flukes, drop shot, etc just to give u more variety and increase your skill set. With the grub don't be afraid to experiment, use a 6 size hook, add a split shot about a foot above. Cast and work it back like a mini Carolina rig, can be killer when the fish get finicky.

You did not mention if you had access to a boat, or if you are restricted to fishing from shore? There are several lure categories that would work better from one or the other. What kind of experience have you previously had?  What kind of a budget are you working with?

 

When I was your age, I was catching lots of different river fish with a plain ole 1/8 oz. jig head with a 3" curly tailed grub on the back. Doesn't get much cheaper than that and I have doubts as to whether or not more expensive lure types are any more effective. Cast them out and slowly retrieve them back. I've caught a lot of river smallies on these, as well as lake fish of all species.

 

Start learning what structure really is. Best book for the "buck" is entitled, "Spoonplugging" by Elwood "Buck" Perry. This book alone will vault you ahead of a lot of more experienced anglers - I guarantee!

 

Other lures you probably should be thinking about are simple topwater poppers. And, of course, the venerable Senko, although it's expense is quite a bit higher. However, the Senkos effectiveness is much greater than less costly options - IF you are fishing in the right places. It takes time on the water and a lot of study to become a good angler. It's of life's purest pleasures. You are on the right track by being here.

My local Gander Mt. store caries BBB Dean Rojas Cane Sticks for .99 a pack in assorted colors. Its about the only reason I go in there anymore. I really like them in my local smallie creek area. I use the BPS XPS Brand offset hooks, because for the price of a much smaller pack of name brand hooks, I can get 25 XPS brand hooks. 

Rebel craw crank baits $3 and some change at Walmart

Rage craw and a few Spring lock hooks.Pretty snag free and Smallies tear em up

Bucktail jigs.

Likely tubes would be your best bet.

X2. Gitzit`s and dry creeks.

Tiny Torpedo has caught a lot of smallies for me. I once bought a dozen of them on EBAY for $7.