Look into any angler's tackle box and chances are he has a selection of classic lures: soft-plastic jigs, topwater plugs, jerkbaits and swimbaits. Saltwater or fresh, largemouth bass or speckled trout ...

When learning how to fish for bass, an essential first lesson for beginners is to master a few essential fishing rigs that use soft baits—whether they’re worms, crawfish, tube baits, or creature baits ...