The best lures for fishing in the suburbs

I promised to offer a list of the best lures that an angler can have in his tackle box, and here it is. Nothing exotic, just items that I think work.

You should have a couple of pre-rigged plastic worm baits in brown or dark green. I like the Ike Con Worm the best. These baits really catch fish and are easy to use.

Pre-rigged worms are artificial worms that are made with a curve built into them and are rigged on either one or two hooks. The curve in the worm makes it spin slowly in the water when it is retrieved. Fish find it irresistible.

Mepp’s practically owns the in-line spinner market. If I had to pick one lure to fish with, I’d take a Mepp’s Spinner with a black and yellow blade with black squirrel tail dressing.

This particular Mepp’s Spinner is what I call my confidence lure. If I had to catch a fish in order to feed my family, it would be the one I would tie on. I caught my biggest musky on a Mepp’s Musky Killer and have caught limits of bluegills on tiny Mepp’s spinners.

I love fishing with surface baits. Topwater fishing is my favorite way to fish. There is nothing more exciting than watching a hungry fish come out of the water to attack what it thinks is its next meal.

The Pop-R and Zara Spook are a couple of traditionally popular surface lures that always seem to work.

The Bagley Bang-O Lure is a true “oldie but goody” that works well, even though it seems like it has been around forever.

The Bang-O lure is 5.25 inches long, which I mistakenly thought was too big for local bass fishing. I love the silver and black model best.

Cast out your Bang-O lure and when it hits the surface, let it sit still while you draw your line taut. Crank a couple of times and then stop. A couple more cranks and then stop again. Believe it or not, the fish will hit the lure when it is stopped rather than when it is moving.

When the water’s surface starts to get covered with weed growth, I love to pull out my plastic frogs. Use a very stout rod and some heavy braided line, as if you were fishing for pike, and you’re ready for action. There are dozens of makes and models and manufacturers of artificial frogs and the prices vary. I like the Snag Proof Phat Frog.

It’s a very tough frog. Frogs get torn up after a few good strikes, so I prefer ones that last longer. Prices for artificial frog baits are through the roof, so I tend to lean toward frogs that last longer. The hooks are sharp, and I like the array of colors that the Phat Frogs come in.

Have you ever seen a real frog that had a belly that wasn’t truly green? Neither have I, so why are there so many available with colored bellies? Look out for those and for frogs that are too cheap.

Frogs on the “three for $10” closeout rack may seem appealing, but what are you saving if a frog only lasts for a single bite or two.

By the way, surface lures should be tried no matter the weather. If they aren’t working, switch to something else, but don’t ever not give a surface bait a cast or two.

I’ll talk more about baits next week. Now get out there and catch some fish for me.

• Daily Herald Outdoors columnist Steve Sarley can be reached at sarfishing@yahoo.com.