Using crankbaits for bass fishing gets you down deep. This is where the bass are at times. When in doubt of which lure to use tie on a crankbait. They cover water fast. The actions entice bass to strike before thinking. An angler only has to choose the crankbait for the conditions. The water clarity, temperature, and depth are the factors in making the choice. Choosing the best crankbait to use is not hard.
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 in 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.
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 14-20 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 line will limit going deep so consider a set-up with fluorocarbon also. This allows an angler to have the proper tackle for the conditions.
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.
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. Sometimes the retrieve needs to change to work the lure.
Shallow running lures have a steeper angle on the lip, it is also shorter. These are lures for 2-4 feet of water. They also 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. If the bass are deep in cover it is time for soft plastics. A crankbait does not work in those situations.
Thin Body Crankbaits for Bass Fishing
On sunny days or clear water use thin-bodied crankbaits for bass fishing. In clear water a wobble tends to spook bass. This 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.
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 are for the deepest water if you want the color to show.
The best option is having 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 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 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.
Keeping fishing simple for tight lines and bragging rights.
John McIntyre