With the use of some fishing strategies, veteran anglers prefer the best barred sand bass lures to land a bigger catch. For most southern California fishers, catching barred sand bass is relatively straightforward.
But what makes boat skippers and small boaters interested in bass fishing is the size of the sand bass they can catch. Employing the best saltwater fishing lures in varying water conditions helps to land the big catch.
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Here are some of our favorite barred sand bass lures you can pack in your bass gear for your fishing trip.
7 Best Lures for Sand Bass Fishing in 2023
- Yo-yo Spoons
- Forktail Plastics
- Single Tails
- Classic Straight Tail Grubs
- Knob-tails
- Tube Baits
- Deep-troll Plugs
1. Yo-yo Spoons
- This Jigging Metal Spoons includes 5 Different Colors of…
- Metal Lures with Good-Looking and Attractive Color, The…
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Vertically spooning for grumps is applicable when bass fishing in a party boat or smaller private craft. The Sougayilang Sinking Metal Spoons Micro Jigging Bait is suitable for bass fishing.
The zinc-alloy material of this product offers durability and high quality. It is one of Southern California’s fishers’ best tools, as they have smooth and rapid diving action.
The design and shape draw the fish’s attention effectively as you yo-yo the spoon straight up and down. This produces an erratic flash and vibration that they cannot ignore, leading to more catch and fun.
2. Forktail Plastics
Soft forktail plastic is one of the favorite lures of most southern California fishers. They are versatile lures that work in open fresh or saltwater. POUFU with 3D Eyes and Fork Tail has materials that allow the bait to improve its ability to induce.
If you want to enhance your forktail lure for a larger sand bass fish, consider keeping a tray of frozen squid within your reach to use as trailers. This can spice up your bass fishing experience.
Plus, you can even throw the larger models in these baits to increase your chances of larger grumpers. If you think sandies seem to prefer ultra-slow-moving lure, lace on a vinyl skirt above the plastic tail’s front as this will flair out on the sink. This will allow the bait to glide slowly to the bottom and create more resistance.
3. Single Tails
- 5″ SINGLE TAIL GRUB – These Versatile can be rigged a…
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- SUPERSOFT – Gary Yamamoto’s Grub is a deadly bait both used…
Single-tailed lures are often overlooked, but it is a variation of the double or fork-tail lure. They are slow-moving pulsating lures perfect for colder water conditions. The Yamamoto Single Tail Grubs imitate the baitfish very well. The size perfectly attracts bigger sand bass fish.
It emits a strong vibration with the use of a slow retrieve from its finely cut tail, which is strike-provoking. Like the forktails, you can use this lure with a small frozen squid to get the bass’s attention. Another trick is to tie your main line to a three-way swivel and attach a 24-30 inch leader with a single large tail attached to the other end.
This usually entices bigger female sand bass to attack. You can use a cast-and-retrieve method with this combination or let it slowly drift along the bottom if you like.
4. Classic Straight Tail Grubs
- Drop-shot design
- Exclusive salt release System bass crave
- Inspected for quality assurance by a finicky bass
In some fishing situations, sand bass will usually prefer a plastic lure with no tail motions. Roboworm’s Straight Tail Worm, a finesse bait, is super sensitive that you will get a ton of action with the slightest movement.
It has a salt release system that adds to its weight. It lets you know when to fill the salt and change the worms. Grubs usually excel in low-light fishing conditions. You want to fish for bass in time for early dawn, on super-slow drifts, and in colder water to get more chances on the fish.
Spice up your fishing experience by using one squid as a trailer and a few drops of fish attractant as flavor. You can even add a colorful vinyl skirt for a well-appealing look.
5. Knob-tails
- Product Type: Fishing Hook
- Country Of Origin: United States
- Item Package Weight: 0.400 Pounds
Knob tails from soft plastic became popular among bass anglers as this plastic lure works well when boat fishing for sand bass in colder water. The Mister Twister Sassy Shad is one knob tail lure for sand bass fishing.
It has a supple body and natural action that this game fish cannot resist. It replicates the “brown baits,” and the darker color scheme is useful when fishing for sand bass.
When fishing with these plastics, slow retrieving is one way to keep the fish’s bite. Fish the knob tail plastics on light mono to maximize the tight swimming action.
6. Tube Baits
- Three sizes to cover all your tube needs
- Innovative colors plus scent and flavor
- Molded-in tentacles provide subtle or lively motion
Soft hollow-bodied plastic tube baits are useful when fishing for pelagic species. The Berkley PowerBait Fishing Soft Bait has a larger surface area for a more irresistible flavor and scent. This causes the fish to hold on up to 18 times longer.
It gives you more time to set more hooks and catch more sand bass, especially with its eye-catching color. Its design and rigging are not complicated. They are effective drift baits all year round, or you can use the slow cast-and-retrieve method.
Just pump it gently back to the boat as you would pump a live squid. Use a liquid fish scent for extra effect and squirt it up into the hollow body to attract more bass.
7. Deep-troll Plugs
- 4 3/4-inch slender minnow/jerkbait trolls to around 27 feet…
- Walleye, zander and other predator and gamefish fish love…
- Universal color patterns for wide-ranging effectiveness
Sometimes, fishers may find it hard to keep hungry grumpers around the boat with limited chum powder. Slow-trolling a plug maximizes your chances of staying with the schools of sand bass cruising as it replicates an anchovy.
You can use the Bandit Walleye Minnow Jerkbait Fishing Lure with this strategy. The design of this ultimate troll is in collaboration with fishing experts. The universal patterns of color have efficacy in many types of fishing situations.
Where to Fish for Sand Bass
Sand bass usually swims in the open water of Santa Cruz in central California to Magdalena Bay in Baja, southern California. These fish species go as far north as Morro Bay and are common from Santa Barbara southwards.
Sand fishing in southern California, the best places to fish for sand bass are in an area where they usually gather when the spawning time comes. You can get more catch and entertainment fishing in San Onofre, Huntington Beach, Santa Monica Bay, and San Diego.
Additionally, fishing for sand bass when it is time for the sun to set is one way to get a great fishing experience.
How To Catch Sand Bass
Catching a barred sand bass is relatively easy. Whether at a party or private boat, offering a delectable meal is an excellent way to encourage them to bite your bait.
A light freshwater-class bait-casting tackle is ideal if you want to maximize the sand bass fishing sport. This tackle can make catching sand bass entertaining and suitable for young and adult anglers alike.
If you’re interested in learning how to clean and cook a barred sand bass, be sure to check out our guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rigging soft plastics as lures for sand bass is effective, considering the fishing conditions they can be maximized in. If you’re fishing for grumpers, you can use Yo-yo spoons, fork-tail, single-tail, Straight-tail, and knob-tail grubs.
If you want a live lure, squid works best. If it is not available, you can try using “brown baits” or the lures mentioned above to catch and cook your grumper.
The best time to fish for grumpers is during the “in-between” periods, such as May to October and November to April. The water temperatures are usually in the 60–70-degree range.
Sand bass can be found in bays, harbors, and inlets. They prefer areas with plenty of structure, such as reefs, kelp beds, and shipwrecks.
Cleaning a sand bass is simple. First, cut off the head just behind the gills. Next, make a slit down the belly from the vent to the base of the throat. Finally, remove the entrails and rinse the fish in cold water.
Sand bass can grow to be quite large, with some specimens reaching over 26 inches in length. The average size, however, is between 12 and 15 inches.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned angler, fishing for sand bass can be a fun and rewarding experience. You can maximize your chances of success with the right tackle and bait.
Now that you know the best lures for sand bass fishing, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! Get out there and see what you can catch.
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