3 Best Strolling Baits for Bass

Although it goes by a bunch of names like Damiki fishing, moping, shaking a minnow, and others, the strolling technique has caught fire in recent years and is a must have technique in your arsenal.

And whether you are just getting started with the strolling technique or looking to perfect it, the right bait will always help you catch more fish. After loads of testing, here are the 3 best strolling baits for bass fishing.

Best Strolling Baits

One thing to keep in mind is that there is a super wide variety of strolling baits that will work well.

In fact, pretty much any fluke/minnow style soft plastic bait will get the job done, so don’t feel like you need a super specific bait to get started with strolling.

The baits discussed below have proven to be the at the very top of performance, affordability, and easy of use throughout our testing. But as long as you are strolling, don’t stress too much about the exact bait.

1. Z-Man Scented Jerk Shadz

The Z-Man baits are always at the top of our soft plastic bait lists. There are really two reasons why the Jerk Shadz is our favorite strolling minnow.

First, the Elaztech plastic is extremely stretch and durable, which allows you to catch dozens of bass on just one bait.

This will save you tons of money and tons of time out on the water. The second reason is that the Elaztech plastic is also super soft and flexible.

So it bends and swims a bit more than most other stolling baits, giving the Jerk Shadz a more enticing action.

Plus, it is infused with Pro-Cure Super Gel, a 100% natural scent that helps to seal the deal when bass get close.

• 10X Tough ElaZtech construction
• Salt-impregnated, split-tail jerk shad body
• Impregnated with 100% natural Pro-Cure Super Gel scent
• Quantity per pack: 5
• Recommended size: 3.5″ or 4″

2. Rapala Crush City Mooch Minnow

Officially released at last year’s ICast show, the Mooch Minnow is a one of a kind bait. The unique tail is half way in between a slit tail and a boot tail.

Instead of swimming back and forth in the water, this unique tail quivers and shakes as the Mooch Minnow is retrieved.

This shows the bass something they haven’t seen before and gives your strolling presentation a very realistic and natural look.

I also like how the Mooch Minnow has a bit bulkier body which helps imitate a wider range of baitfish compared to other baits.

• Length: 3.5″
• Unique Hybrid Tail
• Floating TPE material creates lifelike hover and durability
• Smart Injection Technology adds precise color, flake, salt, and scent
• Bulkier body for better profile
• Quantity per pack: 6

3. 6th Sense Juggle Minnow

The Juggle Minnow has a super cool body design with 3D ridges on the body and a unique tail fin with a ball joint to give the tail more movement.

The Juggle Minnow also has real fins and very realistic, translucent colors that that make the Juggle Minnow a clear water killer.

In super clear water, it is hard to beat the Juggle Minnow. I prefer to rig this bait with a ball head jig so that it can roll better and really get the most action out of the awesome body shape.

• Length: 4″
• Perfect multi-purpose soft bait
• Balanced and realistic action
• 3D-like body ridge lines
• Translucent colors for extra clear water
• Quantity per pack: 9

Strolling Jig Heads

There are two styles of jig heads that are used to the strolling technique. The first is the classic ball head jig.

Ball head jigs don’t look quite as realistic, but they allow the minnow to roll side to side a lot more as you shake your rod tip.

The second jig head style is a fish head jig. These are more realistic, but they don’t allow the minnow to roll as much on the retrieve.

It is good to have both styles of jig heads because you can never tell which one bass will prefer on any given day. It just takes a bit of experimenting when you get out on the water.

Reeling this In

Mastering the strolling technique, regardless of its varied names, is a valuable addition to any angler’s skillset.

While a wide array of soft plastic minnow baits can be effective, the Z-Man Scented Jerk Shadz, Rapala Crush City Mooch Minnow, and 6th Sense Juggle Minnow have consistently proven their superiority in performance, durability, and realistic action.

Paired with the right jig head – be it a ball head or a fish head – these baits will undoubtedly elevate your strolling game and help you land more bass.

Remember, experimentation is key to determining what works best on any given day, but with these top-performing baits in your arsenal, you’ll be well-equipped to conquer the waters.