Shallow Running Crankbaits

Because of the turnover of the lake in the fall and spring, it often pushes the bass into the shallows. The warmer water rises pushing, the colder water deeper. The bass will follow the warm water into the shallows making them prime targets for shallow running crankbaits. One of the best crankbaits to use during this time is a square bill. The square bill crankbait can be retrieved slowly when the water is cold but recommended fast retrieval through thick debris, weed beds and stumps and logs when the water is warmer. This fast retrieval allows for it to deflect off the stumps and logs to imitate baitfish flashing in the water when it bumps off the debris.

Most anglers like to pair their spinner baits with a square bill crankbait for that change up one-two punch. It ultimately depends on the weather and water conditions of when you fish what. The spinnerbait or better known as a blade bait is the lure of choice when the weather is suspect. On cloudy, windy days you can not go wrong with a blade bait. When it's sunny always use a square bill crankbait. The square bill is the lure of choice when the water is murky. The flash from the lure will always attract curious fish.

Now that you know when to fish the shallow water crankbait, what should you fish it on? My setup includes a Bass Pro Shops Tourney Special Rod and Reel Baitcast Combo. This set up has always satisfied my bass fishing needs. I often use 15 to 20-pound mono line made by Vicious. By choosing a little bit stronger of a line, it will handle the lure better. 

Medium Diving Crankbaits And When To Use Them

In the spring when the waters start to warm from freezing to 40-50 degree water the medium diving crankbaits are the best lure to use. These lures are some of the best to use when pre-spawn bass to rocky shorelines or shallow water. Depending on certain water conditions help determine what shape of crankbait you should use. In clear water, a flat style crankbait should be utilized. These produce a clean, fast movement that will trigger a response from most bass. In cloudy or murky water a wide crankbait that produces the greatest amount of wobble should be used.

The way the crankbait wobble is a clear determinate of the large mouths prey.  A large slow wobble across the bottom is a movement that often resembles a crawfish. It the lure wobbles fasts and tight then the bass may think of it as a shad. By know this you can know the speed and depth at which the lure should be retrieved at. Often another determinate is line strength. The smaller pound test allows for the crankbait to dive deeper so when using a medium diving crank bait ofter the test of choice is 10lb to 15lb.

Deep Diving Crankbaits In The Summer Months

Bass often head deep after spawning. They head deep in search of baitfish. They will often start feeling on baitfish known as shad. Because of this behavior, it is imperative to fish for bass with deepwater crankbaits in the summer months. Often anglers will search for specific targets to fish in the lake such as ledges and drop-off points. In these summer months as the water warms the bass often head toward the bottom. Target is throwing your crankbait near stumps, logs, brush piles and any other structure that can be found in deep water. Often when your crankbait deflects off the structure in the deeper water, it will cause the bass to take notice and increase your hook-up chances.

To ensure the crankbait dives to its deepest potential, a  long cast is required. The line thickness also plays into affect on how deep it will dive. The thinner the line, often the deeper the lure will travel. Another thing that affects crankbaits are the lips. The larger the lip often, the deeper it will dive.

Photo Credit: Fix.com

No matter what kind of crankbait you are using, we are confident that you will enjoy a long day of fishing. By using a crankbait, it will increase the number of hits you receive as well as increase your hook up ratio. We hope that you found this information to be useful and will help you on your next bass fishing tip. 

If you have any questions or comments, please leave a comment below or email us at [email protected]. Send us your best photos of bass caught on crankbaits to be featured on our social media pages.