Most anglers can agree that crankbait is probably the most versatile lure out there. We have tried a few here, but for late Fall, we keep coming back to our old standby – the Rapala Super Shad Rap 14 Fishing Lure. Bump up against boulders, rocks, … We fished countless hours and scoured the internet to bring you the best tips. Bumping a crankbait into cover triggers strikes, but the lure is just as effective in another role. Learn how to fish a crankbait the right way. So you’ve got some depth zones that each type of crankbait covers. In lakes that have shad, a white or shad-pattern crankbait with a fast retrieve is the best lure to use to cover water until you locate a concentration of fish. Flat-sided crankbait that produces plenty of wobbling action is the perfect choice for the winter months. If they feel it is moving too fast, they will just pass it by and wait for something where they will not have to expend so much energy. During the fall, baitfish tend to become more active. The standard lipless crankbait (Rat-L-Trap, X-Calibur, or Cotton Cordell) is almond-shaped with a flat top, outfitted with dual treble hooks, and has an internal rattle. There's one problem, though. … Right now much of the country is experiencing the best crankbait fishing of the year, and as a devoted crankbait angler it’s one of my favorite times to fish. It takes a while for the crankbait to dive to its maximum depth, so a longer cast helps the crankbait reach that depth. This gives you more distance to reel the bait across. A crankbait with a wider wobble does not work as well in colder temperatures, so flat-sided crankbaits are the top choice when fished … When you first learn how to fish a crankbait, start with a slow to medium retrieve, so your bait swims halfway down the water column. So, while the squarebill is known for catching fish out of shoreline cover, Mark Zona is here to share some secrets on another way to fish this unique crankbait, away from the bank. The Color . As I already mentioned, choosing models that resemble real baitfish is always good. A shad-pattern or white crankbait will work well in lakes that have shad. Yes. A long cast also allows your crankbaits to reach the right depth zone. The farther you cast it the more efficient your crankbait becomes. Straight Retrieving; A straight retrieve is the most basic and arguably the most effective method out there. When the water is a bit murky, choose those with brighter shades of the same colors. The second thing you should take into consideration is the water color. Choosing the right line size is one remedy for cranking your lure to its maximum depth. Choose natural colors when the water is clear. Crankbaits with longer bills run deeper and have a wider wobble than lures with small bills. Just like a shallow diving crankbait, the deflection is what triggers the strike. To learn more about kayak angling, click here to read our article on kayak fishing tips. Crankbait that can dive up to ten feet deep will work the best in shallow water since it can cause a disturbance by digging into the bottom. There are three times of the year (spring, summer, and fall) when a crankbait is really effective and it can be good any time of the year except during the two or three weeks when the fish are spawning. We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! Burning Your Crankbaits. Choosing 10-pound test line for most of your crankbait presentations will help you judge all the depths your crankbaits can run. It definitely takes more effort on your part to get this lure down deep and keep it there. However, like shallow lures, contact with the bottom is important. Line diameter and size will have a huge impact on how deep the bait will dive, not to mention the type of action you can expect. You can use crankbait to target any type of fish that normally eats smaller fish. Keep in mind, even with the best fishing kayak, you may need to adjust your casting technique when you’re fishing in a kayak since they tend to be short on cockpit space. Ten-pound test is ideal for most deep-cranking applications because it allows your lure to consistently hit the bottom in the 10- to 18-foot range. But, you have to use the right techniques if you want to catch more than weeds. Squarebills and medium divers are best suited for shallow water conditions ten feet and under, while deep divers can handle water that’s twenty-five feet deep or more. The rod should be long enough for a farther casting distance, allowing you to get to the max dive depth. How to fish a crankbait is often based on water depth and season. The crankbait is any type of lure that features a plastic lip that will cause bait to dive under the water. The depth of this type of lure ranges from just below the surface up to thirty feet or more. In early fall throw, deep-diving crankbaits for bass moving out of their summertime haunts to main and secondary points. When fishing around cover slow your retrieve or raise your rod and pause the bait. The deep diving crankbaits are the best choice if you’re angling off shore structures. As mentioned above, the Strike King 10XD is a great bait for the Summer. The color can be important but you do not need to overthink it. Even when these lethargic wintertime bass aren't actively feeding, the tantalizing shimmy of a crankbait is well known to elicit instinctual reaction strikes from otherwise inactive fish. Fortunately, this guide will give you some great tips on how to get the most use out of your crankbait and why you won’t ever want to fish again without one. This tactic is a great way to quickly search for bass. Many times the fish will bite while the crankbait is paused. How to Fish a Lipless Crankbait by Yo-Yoing The way to perform this technique is to let the trap flutter down, then lift it up and do again. You can do it with either spinning or casting rods and reels as it is primarily the bait that creates all As with most fishing accessories, crankbait is only essential if you want to use it. However, an important note is in order. That’s it. As you improve, variate your presentation. They are: Shallow Divers and Squarebills. Brandon Palaniuk has some great deep diver crankbait tips in this video. In terms of season, you’ll often find big fish in shallow waters during the spring, which is why a squarebill is often the best option during this time of year. The Flat Rap 08 comes in a variety of colors, chrome, silver, silver blue, perch, etc. Any fish that eats smaller fish can be targeted with the crankbait. Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Fishing Kayak, UNVINS Minnow Fishing Sinking Lure Set Hardbait Ocean Kayak Tackle Set with Treble Hooks, How to Fish a Crankbait Based on the Season, Vibe Kayaks Sea Ghost 130 Fishing Kayak Review, Elkton Outdoors Cormorant 2 Person Tandem Inflatable Fishing Kayak Review, Driftsun Voyager 2 Person Tandem Inflatable Kayak Review. Braided line tends to have the least amount of stretch, which doesn’t make it a great choice for this type of lure since the lack of stretch can pull the hooks out of the mouths of fish. Seeing bass pros work a crankbait is like watching magicians perform. These crankbaits can be used in shallow waters. (Here is the lure he uses throughout the video). Using crankbait is the most interesting way to catch a fish from the river but you need to practice well before going fishing. We can’t keep up with the strikes. If I am in a clear lake I will use a 10lb test. Selecting the right rod length makes it easier to deliver crankbaits long distances. Be the first to rate this post. If you’re looking for a versatile model that can handle shallow water and deep water conditions, we recommend the Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Fishing Kayak. The only difference is magicians use sleight of hand to make objects disappear, while the pros’ magic begins after their crankbait vanishes in the watery depths. The depth at which your crankbait will run depends on many factors, including line size, lure design and speed of retrieve. How to finesse fish with a squarebill crankbait. A straight chunk-and-wind approach will catch fish, but the lure elicits most of its strikes while fluttering to the bottom. Simply put, crankbaits can be classified into four distinct categories. They love it! Spring - In spring and fall, as bass move shallow, they will include baitfish and crawfish in their diets. This will depend on where you normally fish in your kayak. It’s no secret that many of my greatest tournament successes on tour have come fishing a crankbait, yet I remain surprised at how resistant many anglers are to using them. Retrieving a crankbait seems simple enough, yet many novices make the same mistake of just chunking and winding a crankbait. When it comes to warm water, you want to be able to reel in your bait quickly. Learn how to fish a crankbait for largemouth bass for an aggressive bite… Run at depths of 8- to 12-feet and have round plastic bills. During your day on the water, check your hooks often and if one feels dull replace … Here are five tips the pros rely on that will help you trick bass into biting your crankbait. Time of the year probably has more to do with, The Ebony Anglers: Black History in the Making, The 5 Must See Moments From The Unchartered Fishing Series, 4 Bass Lures You NEED In Your Winter Tackle Box, Fishing First Aid: What You Need To Know And What You Need To Bring, How To Find Winter Largemouth Bass In Open Water. Squarebills and medium divers are best suited for shallow water conditions ten feet and under, while deep divers can handle water that’s twenty-five feet deep or more. Additionally, the type of line you use will also impact the crankbait’s diving depth. Fall is a prime time to throw shallow-diving squarebills, medium divers and deep-running crankbaits. You can count on the fact that in spring many baitfish in reservoirs, like shad, will be young and small (1-3"). The reel you use should have a slower gear ratio and should be able to handle a large amount of line. Try a stop-and-go presentation when running the lure in open water to trigger bites from inactive bass. Using 12- to 15-pound line works well for most prespawn cranking situations for bass in the mid-depth zone. Anglers love them because they cast a mile and can cover a lot of water very quickly, which is great for locating fish. A couple of weeks after the spawn the fish start moving away from the banks a little bit and then the shad-color crankbaits (shallow and medium divers) are real productive. This type of lure will help you catch a wide range of species every season, whether you’re trolling or casting. Crankbait work best when they're cast pretty far from the boat. The affect is similar to an injured bait fish. It is important while doing this to keep the rod tip low. Because of this, we recommend a flat-sided crankbait combined with a steady, slow retrieve. This is when the baitfish become most active and the predatory fish begin to chase them. A basic, steady retrieve with a low gear ratio reel works best most of the time, but you should also vary your retrieve in certain situations. Crankbait fishing is all about making the fish react, which often means making your lure do something different or erratic. Since crankbait is considered pretty versatile, you won’t be very limited in terms of what type of gear you use, however, using gear that’s specifically designed for crankbait will allow you to get the most out of your lure. Winter. Choose your crankbait's … Play with the pause and vary the length of the pause. Crankbait is by far the most versatile lure option out there and can be used in a variety of fishing conditions, any time of the year. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of the slow retrieve in winter. For better depth control, use a lighter weight line, but not too light, at least 10 pound test or better. 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