The best crankbaits for bass fishing will produce more fish. When in doubt tie on one of these lures. They cover the water fast. The actions entice the bass to strike before thinking. An angler only has to choose the crankbait for the conditions.
The water temperature and depth are the main factors when choosing a crankbait. This is why there are many types of crankbaits to choose from for anglers.
The time of year influences where the bass are located. In spring and fall, the shallows hold more bass. Then in the summer bass tend to be in deeper water. This affects the choice of crankbaits. There are fat bodies and thin bodies on the lures.
This affects whether they wobble or wiggle. The length of the lip affects depth. Also, the line has an effect on depth. The type and diameter either increase or lessen the depth the lure will run.
A crankbait is made to run at a specific depth in the water column. The shallow diving square bills are for use in 6-7 feet or less. The long shallow bills work deeper in the water. Using the right type will get the lure to where the big bass is located.
Crankbaits for Bass Fishing The Right Line
The line does matter with a crankbait. A thin diameter gets the lure deeper but you need a strong line. Lines get nicked up fishing crankbaits. The lures are bouncing along the bottom or off a brush. This inflicts damage to any line. A quality fluorocarbon line is the best choice.
The line sinks and has good abrasion resistance. A line from 8-14 pound test will work unless fishing heavy cover. Then go with a 14-17 pound test line. The heavy cover will damage the line more and faster.
A braided line is an option with lures. It will need a fluorocarbon leader tied to the mainline. Depending on the braid it floats or is neutral buoyancy. In other words, the lure will not go as deep. In the shallows, this is not a problem. Deeper water will need a line allowing the lure to go deeper.
Braided lines will limit going deep so consider a set-up with fluorocarbon also. This allows an angler to have the proper tackle for the conditions.
The line is important for another aspect of crankbait fishing. A thinner line allows you to cast farther. Crankbaits take a little distance to get to depth and use part of the retrieve rising up at the end. Casting long distances keeps the lure in the strike zone longer. A longer rod is helpful also.
What Lip Style to Use
Choosing the lip length relates to the depth. The longer the lip the deeper in most cases. The correct length is important. The lure needs to hit the bottom or cover but not too much. A lip too long keeps the bait digging into the cover. Lips too short do not get to the cover.
The lure should bounce along and not get stuck from digging down too hard. These are the deep-diving crankbaits for waters 12 feet or deeper.
Another option is a medium diving crankbait. Use a medium-depth lure in 6-12 feet of water. These have a shorter lip than the deep-diving models. These lures fill the gap between shallow and deep running crankbaits. In some bodies of water, a depth of 12 feet or a little less, maybe the deeper water.
Shallow running crankbaits have a steeper angle on the lip, plus are shorter also. These are lures for 2-6 feet of water. You will hear them called square billed crankbaits. They excel on top of submerged weeds and brush.
The lure can get close without going into the cover. You want the lure to be at the top of this cover. Bass often hide a few inches down in cover and a crankbait running by will bring them out.
Bass anglers overlook the various bill types when crankbait fishing. You need to choose the right diving depth with crankbaits.
Fat Body Crankbaits for Bass Fishing
On Cloudy days or stained or murky waters use the fat body. The lure is retrieved creating a wobbling hunting action. This creates more flash and vibration for the bass to find the lure. Work the lure hitting structure and cover to imitate a fleeing or feeding baitfish. Baitfish hug the bottom or cover when fleeing. So this looks natural to a bass.
This type is best in summer when the water temperatures are higher. In some regions early spring and a part of the fall the lure works also. If the fish are active and aggressive this is the body type to use.
Thin Body Crankbaits for Bass Fishing
On sunny days and clear water use thin-bodied crankbaits for bass fishing. In clear water, a wobble tends to spook bass. This is especially true in the shallows of clear water. In clear water, baitfish take a straight line when fleeing. The wiggle mimics this behavior better than a fat body crankbait.
When using a crankbait think about the saying. “Match the hatch” fly fishermen use. It applies to all fish. They want a natural-looking choice. Lures running too erratic make a bass cautious.
The thin body is for cooler or cold waters also. Use this body in spring and fall when the temperature is below the fish’s preferred temperature range. The thin-bodied lures create a tighter action that less aggressive or active fish tend to strike. The cold front situation will be another time to try the lure.
Lipless Crankbaits
A lipless crankbait is exactly what you think. It does not have a lip or bill. The lure uses weight to sink down to depth. These work well in the late fall and early winter. The lipless will have a tight wiggle and nose-down angle on the retrieve.
They usually contain a rattle also. The rattles make different sounds. There are models with a slight click and others with a louder tap. This is to help attract fish. This is an overlooked bass lure by inexperienced anglers.
Choosing Colors
We covered the lips under fat body lures. So color is the next item. Anglers get habitual with colors. A variety is needed for successful fishing. The water clarity, amount of sun, and depth all have an effect on colors. It is likely as an angler, you have had good results with a color or two and stay with those colors. What are the weather conditions when you have success? Also, are there times the lures are not productive?
The different colors are made for either sunny or cloudy days. The color of the water has the same effect. Stained waters use certain colors and clear waters use another. Then some colors turn grey or black faster as the lure goes deeper.
The red and orange colors turn dark in 5-10 feet of water. Yellows and greens fair better at deeper depths. The blues and blacks are for the deepest water if you want the color to show.
The best option is to have multiple colors and baitfish patterns. The best angler has some bright colors, a few dark, and several baitfish patterns. These cover all light and water conditions in fishing. There is not a color that works in every situation.
This goes back to anglers sticking to one or two colors. It is costing you fish by being stubborn on color selection. When the bass are feeding on Cisco that is the type and color of lure needed.
Check Bass Pro Shop for Crankbaits
Choose quality-made lures. The best names in lure-making are proven to catch fish. The information above gives you what is needed to choose lures. Also, lures from unknown manufacturers or knock-offs are usually of lower quality.
Don’t cheat yourself trying to save a few bucks. The trusted names in lures are on the list. I have used these companies’ lures for years. The others I have tried did not work as well.
Summary
Hopefully, this article helps with selecting a crankbait for you. Fishing is a sport needing knowledge and experience. This is gained by trying new techniques and sometimes colors. Do not be reluctant when the bite is tough or slow to change things up. This is how you will learn.