When I was a kid, my aunt and uncle played a large part in my desire to fish. They also dabbled with artificial baits. And looking at and touching those big casting rod baits set me to thinking, “Gee, maybe I could catch fish on those, too.”

I tried. I talked my dad into taking me out night fishing for bass on vacation. Why night? Somehow, I got 10-year-old me zeroed in that nighttime was the right time. Dad finally relented, so off we went. I threw a large Injured Minnow in the vicinity of a big stump across the bay from our cabin. The bait was heavy, and casts were more like lobbing a baseball. Then it changed. I heard the bait splash as it hit the water. Immediately, I heard a second splash, and had my first night largemouth bass on an artificial! I didn’t notice that before I got it off the big trebles, dad had us back at the dock; he decided that we were done. Probably because getting hit with that big thing zipping through the dark would bring nothing good. It was a short night, but I didn’t care. I was in heaven.

After that, I started getting spinning-sized artificials as Christmas gifts. I soon caught fish on Hula Poppers and Spin-O-Renos. I also got Jitterbugs, Darters, Hula Dancers, Johnson Silver Spoons, and even a new bait called the Rapala. If my family would have paid attention, they would have noticed that just the Hula Poppers and Spin-O-Renos were the ones I really used.

After 40 years in Wisconsin, my world changed. I traded the Hula Popper and Spin-O-Reno for plastics. I caught a lot of fish on those plastics, and still do.

Let your budget be your guide, as nothing is cheap anymore. But here’s what I rely on that are tried-and-true.

The 5-inch Senko, black with blue fleck. I don’t leave home without it. It sinks slowly, just sashaying toward bottom, begging a bass to bite.

The Berkley MaxScent Creature Hawg. It’s a beaver-type bait that can be rigged Texas-Style. Or on the back of a bass jig (Try a Strike King Denny Brauer Structure Jig, where the hook is inline, eye out the front, not the top, which collects weeds).

Berkeley’s Max Scent Power Chunk is also a winner on a jig. It’s a can’t-miss, big-bass spring killer.

Lastly, go with a tube jig. Use it open-hook or rig it Texas-Style. It’s always in play regardless of the season. MaxScent or Berkley PowerBait brands work in 2 1/2- to 4-inch sizes.

For rigging, go with mostly 2/0, 3/0 or 4/0 round-bend, or wide-gap hooks, which work for most. Smaller baits need smaller hooks. Slip sinkers from 1/16- to 1/2-ounce allow you to fish shallow or deep. I use a bait like the Senko with no weight.

Should the budget allow you to buy more than the “A list,” consider 7-inch Berkley Power Worms, and 3-inch Chigger Craws, which can also be used to tip a jig. Also, a Max Scent 4-1/4-inch Flat Worm is good for drop-shot rigs, and a MaxScent small version of the General works on a smaller jig head for finesse rigging. Zoom’s 6-inch Brush Hogs are also good baits to have in the box.

Fishing department personnel can help with hook and jig sizes and weights. Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s fishing department personnel are usually pretty knowledgeable on various products.

Looking for more ways to increase your catch rate? You’ll find plenty of suggestions in every issue of MidWest Outdoors. Subscribe on our website.