Bass Fishing with Crankbaits

Large-lipped, floating and diving crankbaits give anglers the opportunity to fish a wide area, at various depths, to find large or small-mouth bass. The average depth you will get is 6 to 9 feet, but the larger lipped baits can attain up to 20 feet.

When searching for fish stop-and-go retrieves are the most effective. Crank the lure down with a fast retrieve and then stop to allow the lure to float up. Just continue doing this to cover the area and different depths. Once you find bass, fish that depth with a steady retrieve.

When you use the slim, long-bodied crankbaits with the small lips they emit actions like live baitfish. These are effective for shallow-water bass fishing. Casting or trolling these baits above weeds or over shoals is ideal for catching bass. They can even be used like a surface lure in calmer waters. Just twitching them with a slower retrieve will cause that surface commotion that will get that surface strike.

The flat-sided, deep-bodied sinking crankbaits are great to use around sunken structure where a stop-and-go or pumping retrieve will keep them in contact with the structure. Although crankbaits look great wobbling through open water, they work best when bumping and knocking into structure. The large lips, on some crankbaits, act as deterrents to snags. Do not be afraid to rub them across the rocky shoals. You should even be able to bring them through surface brush, by retrieving them slowly.

Most crankbaits are not weedless, but very often contact with weeds is needed to create that strike. When your lure hits weeds just rip it free, this will usually clear any vegetation that might be hanging on, most bass strikes will occur right after you rip it free.

Burning a crankbait is a good trick to use, retrieve as fast as you can, followed by a pause or slow retrieve. The fast action will get that lunker bass attention, and often they will strike out of instinct.

When using crankbaits try not to hinder that desired wobbling action, some anglers use heavy snaps and swivels to connect their lures this just hampers that wobbling action you want when you are fishing. A simple loop knot or a small round-noosed snap with no swivel will allow you to get more lure action. They can also take the strain and the stress from using your crankbaits, even ripping out of the weeds and brush.

Now on to the wide range of colour choices we have now, in most cases they vary with personal preferences and of course the bodies of water you are bass fishing. Bright colours, like yellows, whites, and silvers are usually great earlier on in the season or during low-light periods; crayfish and baitfish finishes and styles seem to work best during the day. Also chartreuse, reds, and orange coloured crankbaits also work great in stained or muggy water conditions.

Jack Phillips has been an avid Canadian angler for over 50 years. Fishing Canada provides solid advice for walleye, bass, pike, muskie, a variety of trout, arctic char bass and more. Idea’s on when and where to go on your next trip to Canada. Ice fishing tips. Delicious fish recipes also!