Choosing the right crankbait

          Square bills 2-4 feet

Great for when the fish have moved towards the bank. Square bills especially with a round body are better for fishing around cover, they are less likely to get snagged. They have a wider wobble which works better for warmer water temps.

            Medium Divers 6-8 Feet

Any medium diver is perfect for any transition period, when the bass enter staging areas either pre or post spawn. Medium divers are a very good search bait, if you are not sure if the fish are moved up or on secondary points, throw a medium diver from shallow out to around 10 feet to see where the fish are staged.

            Flat Sided Medium Divers 7-9 feet

Flat sided crankbaits have tighter action but are not as snag proof as round body lures. But these lures are excellent in colder water temps. This is because they have a better action at slower speeds.

            Deep Divers 25+ Feet

Deep diving crankbaits are big players in the post spawn when the bass have moved out deep and have grouped up chasing bait balls around. This is typically during the summer months.

 

What gear to use?

Reel: a slower gear ratio is best (5 or 6:1)

Line: generally, 8-12 pound mono or fluro

How to fish crankbaits in the spring

As winter ends and water temperatures approach 50 degrees, bass move shallow to forage before spawning. Seek warmer, dirtier water from spring rains and shallow cover. Start with craw patterns and high contrast colors. As water warms, transition from flat sides to round body square bills near wood cover and grass.

How to Fish Crankbaits in the Summer

As fish migrate from spawning areas back to the main lake with warming water, they gather offshore on humps, ledges, and points to feed. Use deep diving crankbaits in 10 to 20 feet depending on common high spot depths. It is important to find the schools of fish out deep. In summer, fish faster to provoke split-second reactions from fish in the strike zone.

How to Fish Crankbaits from Shore

When shore fishing with crankbaits, fish parallel and use buoyant ones. Move steadily and pause when contacting cover to let the bait clear. Keep 3/4-ounce bell sinkers handy to clip on and slide down the line to free hung baits. Practice holding the line tight to pop off snags without pulling too hard.

 

How to choose the right color crankbaits

 

In clear water conditions:

Bass have excellent visibility and can see crankbaits as they move through the water a lot clearer. Therefore, it's crucial to match the hatch in clear water fishing. Bass in clear water tend to favor baits that closely resemble their natural prey. Stock your crankbait collection with colors that mimic the forage species in clear water environments.

 

           

In stained water conditions:

            In low visibility conditions, bass have limited sight range, requiring baits that stand out and are easily visible. Therefore, opt for bright and contrasting colors when using crankbaits in stained or dirty water. Stock up on these vibrant patterns if your local lake has reduced visibility.