Start by identifying your target species and their preferred prey. In U.S. freshwater, that might mean matching small crankbaits or plastic worms to largemouth or smallmouth bass, finesse jigs to crappie and walleye, or spinners to rainbow and brown trout. In saltwater, topwaters and soft plastics that mimic shrimp or mullet work well for redfish, snook, and speckled trout.

Weedless soft plastics and topwaters excel over grass or wood; deep-diving crankbaits and heavy jigs are ideal around submerged structure. Always “match the hatch” by observing local forage—if minnows dominate, choose shad-patterned plugs; if crawfish are everywhere, go with brownish, bulky soft plastics.

Color and size hinge on water clarity and temperature. In clear water, stick to natural hues; in stained or muddy water, switch to bright chartreuse, firetiger, or solid white. Use smaller profiles in cold conditions (think 2–3-inch plastics), and bump up to 4–6-inch baits as the water warms.