I reflected on my ridiculously detailed fishing log with over 40 years of records on hundreds of gamefish a year. I began assessing which lures may provide the best odds of catching whatever nice gamefish a given lake or river offered, instead of approaches more focused on a single target species or two. I’d like to share a summary of that analysis here, particularly since fall is prime time for a variety of predators.

The criteria

First, I should say that this is more focused towards the inland waters I fish, which are mostly smaller to mid-sized lakes and rivers without popular cold-water species like trout and salmon. So, this discussion is mainly on versatile approaches for nice largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike and walleyes, though still with a chance at other large predators that may be available, like muskies or catfish.

Next, this strategy is as much about what doesn’t offer the best, most versatile chances, as what does. What I mean is, our very best way of catching a nice specimen of a target species is rarely the best way to catch the other main predators available in a fishery. For example, my favorite approach for a quality-sized largemouth is often a plastic worm rigged weedless, worked in or near thick cover. While it’s still possible to catch a smallmouth, pike, or technically even a walleye that way, it’s rare enough that I’m almost eliminating my chances at those other fish.

One important criterion is the size range of baits that give the optimum chance at these inland-waters predators. Using too small a lure will bring lots of action, including from more fun, bonus panfish in the mix, like crappies. But while the odds for catching nice bass and walleyes can remain high, and of course the rare bonus pike or even a muskie, the chances for the last two species, and larger bass, tend to drop below what I find acceptable for the best shot at multiple predator species of good size.

Using too large a lure naturally also brings a similar trade-off. A 10-inch-body bait for big pike and muskies keeps pike and muskie odds high, while reducing nice bass and walleye chances below what provides the best odds.

My records suggest that baits about 4 to 6 inches long provide the optimum chance at any of these main predators in the same presentation. Granted, they’re smallish for muskies, but I’ve caught quite a few muskies on 5- or 6-inch offerings, and oodles of the other gamefish mentioned, so this seems to be a decent size range for maximum versatility.

The ‘Fab Four’ for four predators

Granted it’s just me voting, but hands down, I elect what are commonly called jerk baits or minnow baits from 4 to 6 inches, in both floating and suspending versions, as my most versatile baits for the noted main predators, all season long—and maybe as the very best lure choices in fall. All these predators often key on baitfish that look like these lures. There are too many favorites to discuss in detail, in mainstay colors including plenty of silver, goldish and perch “looks” in the mix.

Personally, I like a natural rainbow trout or brown trout finish, especially in clear water, and it doesn’t seem to matter if the waters have trout. One possibly overlooked version in this family of baits is a natural fingerling, pike-looking jerk bait. Largemouths, smallmouths and walleyes seem to want to eat it before it’s big enough to eat them, and pike and muskies just want to eliminate future competition.

My strong second place winner is crankbaits in the same size range and color options, so generally a similar bait that’s more readily fished deeper. It’s silly how many nice bass and pike I’ve caught on these, walleyes too where available. And muskies or even big catfish being a distinct possibility, too. Like the jerk bait family, countless great crankbaits from the same brands are available. It’d be impossible to pick a single favorite, but something in a chunky profile is tough to beat for lots of nice bass and pike; more slender models help tempt bonus walleyes if they are available.

Maybe not overlooked, but a specific version in this group would be a crawfish-looking crankbait. Granted, these are more toward the smaller portion of the recommended, versatile size range, or even somewhat below it. But all predators eat crawfish, period. And the sheer number of larger gamefish—except muskies—that strike these lures is “striking,” according to my records.

Spinnerbaits get my nod for a robust third place finish, most definitely for bass species, pike and bonus muskies. I’ve always found that intriguing since I’ve never seen a baitfish that looks anything like a spinnerbait, though it may be a flashy cluster of bait “look” that triggers the predatory response. Plus, they fish well in different situations including weed and wood cover, and at different depths, making it tough to place these only third. I do so only because I’ve caught few walleyes on them, and I’m rating based on top picks for four main species at once.

Color combinations, including blades, are innumerable, but natural looks get my nod for multiple predators, most of the time, whereas if targeting strictly pike, I’d often lean toward bolder colors. With plastic trailers added, the overall spinnerbait profile in about a 1/2-ounce version is the versatile bait size recommended, with a taller, more substantial, flashy appeal that predators often destroy.

I have in-line spinners as a solid fourth place, depending on the situation. It seems that fewer people fish them in recent times, possibly increasing their appeal on pressured waters. A dressed spinner from 4 to 6 inches long, typically a size 4 to 6, has produced countless largemouths, smallmouths and pike. Plus, bucktails are muskie mainstays. I have them fourth only because my few walleyes caught on them have strictly been in rivers so far, and most models aren’t as flexible in terms of cover and depth as spinnerbaits are.

Spoons, jigs, live bait and soft plastic swimbaits in the desired size range get honorable mentions. All fishing is very situational; indeed, any of these can also be a top pick at times. But in a very wide range of places and conditions, the “Fab Four” discussed for multiple species have been so reliable that I rarely venture past them. Part of their success is also due to being well suited to covering water more efficiently than most other baits, for sheer exposure to more predators.

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