i recently purchased some Reef Runner® Deep Diver Hardbaits - 800 Series for my trip to Lake Erie this past weekend.  can these baits be used for bass or is this a walleye specialty?

Bass will bite anything, a crankbait is a reaction bait so they won't care if it is made for walleyes.

Bass will bite anything, a crankbait is a reaction bait so they won't care if it is made for walleyes.

x2

Agreed, and walleye will also bite so-called bass baits. They don't know the difference any more than bass do.

then if thats the case, why do they have walleye specific baits?  same for bass?

then if thats the case, why do they have walleye specific baits? same for bass?

1.) To catch fishermen

2.) To catch fishermen

3.) To catch fishermen

4.) The less experienced anglers don't always know what to use for certain species, it make it easier for them.

They aren't neccessarily 'specific' baits they are designed more for the ways a walleye angler or bass angler will use them. You don't see many walleye anglers casting spinnerbaits or a jig-n-pig for walleye, but I've caught plenty of them on 'em. And on the other side, you don't see very many bass fishermen trolling a reef runner or lindy rigs in search for bass but I have also caught plenty on them. A bass doesn't care that it says walleye on the packaging, all it cares about is its next meal, and that lure looks delicious..

I use fresh water lures in saltwater and vice versa, predatory fish don't care, they hit anything with very few exceptions.

I have it narrowed down to 4-5 items that I fish with.

Tackle and equipment manufacturers know that fisherman are gullible.

just think about what type of forage the lure is supposed to imitate...if it does a good job of that, then it will catch bass... although some walleye cb's are made for trolling, they will also work...

If a bass want to eat something, its going to eat it. plain and simple