| Large-lipped, floating and diving crankbaits give anglers | | | | retrieving them slowly. |
| the opportunity to fish a wide area, at various depths, | | | | Most crankbaits are not weedless, but very often |
| to find large or small-mouth bass. The average depth | | | | contact with weeds is needed to create that strike. |
| you will get is 6 to 9 feet, but the larger lipped baits can | | | | When your lure hits weeds just rip it free, this will |
| attain up to 20 feet. | | | | usually clear any vegetation that might be hanging on, |
| When searching for fish stop-and-go retrieves are the | | | | most bass strikes will occur right after you rip it free. |
| most effective. Crank the lure down with a fast | | | | Burning a crankbait is a good trick to use, retrieve as |
| retrieve and then stop to allow the lure to float up. Just | | | | fast as you can, followed by a pause or slow retrieve. |
| continue doing this to cover the area and different | | | | The fast action will get that lunker bass attention, and |
| depths. Once you find bass, fish that depth with a | | | | often they will strike out of instinct. |
| steady retrieve. | | | | When using crankbaits try not to hinder that desired |
| When you use the slim, long-bodied crankbaits with the | | | | wobbling action, some anglers use heavy snaps and |
| small lips they emit actions like live baitfish. These are | | | | swivels to connect their lures this just hampers that |
| effective for shallow-water bass fishing. Casting or | | | | wobbling action you want when you are fishing. A |
| trolling these baits above weeds or over shoals is ideal | | | | simple loop knot or a small round-noosed snap with no |
| for catching bass. They can even be used like a | | | | swivel will allow you to get more lure action. They can |
| surface lure in calmer waters. Just twitching them with | | | | also take the strain and the stress from using your |
| a slower retrieve will cause that surface commotion | | | | crankbaits, even ripping out of the weeds and brush. |
| that will get that surface strike. | | | | Now on to the wide range of colour choices we have |
| The flat-sided, deep-bodied sinking crankbaits are great | | | | now, in most cases they vary with personal |
| to use around sunken structure where a stop-and-go | | | | preferences and of course the bodies of water you |
| or pumping retrieve will keep them in contact with the | | | | are bass fishing. Bright colours, like yellows, whites, and |
| structure. Although crankbaits look great wobbling | | | | silvers are usually great earlier on in the season or |
| through open water, they work best when bumping | | | | during low-light periods; crayfish and baitfish finishes |
| and knocking into structure. The large lips, on some | | | | and styles seem to work best during the day. Also |
| crankbaits, act as deterrents to snags. Do not be | | | | chartreuse, reds, and orange coloured crankbaits also |
| afraid to rub them across the rocky shoals. You should | | | | work great in stained or muggy water conditions. |
| even be able to bring them through surface brush, by | | | | |