Best Bass Lures for Fishing Offshore Ledges

As the summer heat sets in, bass will often move out to deeper water to find cooler temperatures and more abundant food sources.

One of the best ways to target these fish is to fish offshore ledges. Ledges are areas where the bottom of a lake or reservoir drops off sharply; they can be great places to find bass during the summer.

There are a number of great lure options to entice and trigger offshore bass living along ledges during the summer including:

1. Deep Diving Crankbaits: Deep diving crankbaits are ideal for fishing offshore ledges, as they can reach depths of up to 25 feet. They are perfect for targeting bass that are holding in deep water and can be fished effectively on the breaklines atop steep drop-offs. Popular deep diving crankbaits for bass fishing include the Strike King 10XD, Berkley Dredger 20.5, and Rapala DT-20. Click on the following link for more examples of deep diving crankbaits <link. 

2. Football Jigs: Football jigs are another great option for fishing offshore ledges, as they can imitate crawfish and other bottom-dwelling prey. They are best used on rocky or gravelly bottoms and can be fished slowly along the bottom to entice a bite. Some popular football jigs for bass fishing include the Strike King Tour Grade Football Jig and the Keitech Model II Tungsten Football Jig. Click on the following link for more examples of football jigs <link.

3. Carolina Rigs: Carolina rigs are a classic offshore ledge fishing rig that consist of a weight, a swivel, a leader, and a soft plastic bait. They are incredibly versatile and can be fished at different depths depending on the conditions. Carolina rigs are best used on sandy or muddy bottoms and can be fished slowly along the bottom to imitate a feeding baitfish. Popular soft plastic baits for Carolina rigs (<link to C-rig gear) include the Zoom Brush Hog & Lizard plus the Berkley Powerbait Power Worm.

4. Swimbaits: Swimbaits are another effective lure for fishing offshore ledges for summer bass. They can imitate a wide variety of baitfish and can be fished at different depths depending on the conditions. Swimbaits are best used on a slow retrieve and can be fished through deep holes or along the edges of drop-offs. Some popular swimbaits for bass fishing include the Keitech Fat Swing Impact and the Strike King Rage Swimmer. Click on the following link for more examples of soft swimbaits <link.

5. Jigging Spoons: Jigging spoons are a classic offshore ledge fishing lure that can be fished vertically or horizontally. They are ideal for targeting bass that are holding in deep water and can be fished effectively on steep drop-offs or along the edges of underwater structure. Some popular jigging spoons for bass fishing include the Strike King Sexy Spoon and the Nichols Lures Ben Parker Flutter Spoons. Click on the following link for more examples of jigging spoons <link.

6. Blade Baits: Blade baits are another versatile lure for fishing offshore ledges for summer bass. They can be fished vertically or horizontally and can be used to imitate a variety of baitfish. Blade baits are best used on rocky or gravelly bottoms and can be fished through deep holes or along the edges of drop-offs. Some popular blade baits for bass fishing include the Silver Buddy and the Damiki Vault. Click on the following link for more examples of blade baits <link.

7. Drop Shot Rigs: Drop shot rigs are a finesse fishing technique that can be incredibly effective for fishing offshore ledges for summer bass. They consist of a weight at the bottom of the line and a hook with a soft plastic bait above it. Drop shot rigs can be fished at different depths depending on the conditions and are best used on sandy or muddy bottoms. Popular soft plastic baits for drop shot rigs include the Roboworm Straight Tail Worm, Berkley Flatworm and the Yamamoto Shad Shape Worm. Click on the following link for more examples of drop shot baits <link.

Here are a few additional tips for fishing offshore ledges for summer bass:

• Use a fishfinder and lake maps to locate the ledges.

• Fish the ledges at different depths to find where the bass are holding.

• Use a variety of different retrieves to see what triggers bass strikes.

• Search for changes in ledge structure (points and cuts) along with additional cover elements (grass patches, stumps, rock piles) that bass often gravitate to.

Fishing offshore ledges for summer bass can be a rewarding experience. By using the right lures, you can increase your chances of landing not only more but bigger bass during the hot summer months.