Power fishing is defined as a “stick and move” approach to bass fishing that consists of rapid firing fast-moving baits in search of the most aggressive bass in the area. A crankbait is the epitome of such a tactic, allowing anglers to quickly cover all depths of the water column in search of the “motherload” school of bass ganged up on a point or even scattered across a shallow flat.
Crankbaits come in an endless variety of depths, shapes, actions and sounds; yet, bass often get conditioned to seeing or hearing the same style of crankbait presented multiple times in a weekend. When a new crankbait hits the market, bass often respond with aggressiveness. Just such a new player in the crankin’ realm is the MONSTERBASS Seeker Series of crankbaits, available in 3 depth offerings: 6, 8 and 12’.
The Seeker casts like a bullet and has a subtle internal rattle with just enough soft “knock” to turn heads underwater without alerting bass to its artificial quality. The crankbait is turning heads among anglers enjoying a sneak peek at casting the lure this fall, as well.
East Tennessee angler and host of his own popular YouTube channel, Alex Rudd, has already logged several hours chunking and winding the entire Seeker lineup, noting, “what makes the Seeker interesting to me is the ability to hit three distinct depth ranges while maintaining the same small body crankbait profile. I like that I don’t have to oversize the lure in order to achieve those deeper running depths of 8-12 feet”.
Additionally, Rudd appreciates the deflection qualities of the Seeker’s bill design, adding, “it has a unique U-shaped bill that tapers into a pretty sharp point. I’ve found this design actually deflects off of cover more easily than other crankbait designs in the same depth ranges. As we all know, that deflection is the key to getting bass to commit to eating a lure”.
Vance McCullough of northern Florida has been chasing bass in the tannic waters of the southeast for decades and his early experience with the Seeker crankbait has also been extremely positive, adding, “down here in St. Johns River country, we value the durability of a well-made plastic crankbait. We’re going to grind them on offshore shell bars and bang them around dock pilings in an unforgiving tidewater environment. As for their action, Seeker crankbaits hang in the water column with a slow rise that entices reluctant bass when the retrieve is paused; however, you can also really burn this crankbait at high speeds and it won’t roll over”.
“I can cast the Seeker a country mile thanks to its state-of-the-art weight transfer system,” McCullogh adds. “The extra distance means the bait gets down and stays down much longer in the target depth zone. With 3 models to choose from, a Seeker will hit most any sweet spot you need it to this fall.”
Texas-based bass writer and a self-proclaimed crankbait fanatic, Shane Beilue, has also been tossing the Seeker in his home waters of Texas this fall. “well, I caught a bass on my second cast the first day out with the Seeker 6, then proceeded to catch 9 more in 4 hours, so I’d say the bait won me over,” he beamed.
“In Texas, its critical to have a crankbait you can cast into the wind,” he notes, adding, “if a bait ever planes and cartwheels during the cast, you can put it down because you’re going to stay frustrated picking out backlashes all day. I was able to get great casting distance with no backlashes into a 15-mph wind, so put a big checkmark in that box.”
Beilue added this regarding the Seeker’s casting qualities, “the other critical element of a quality crankbait is the ability to thread a cast into the little alleyways and lanes between shallow brush. If the lure planes at all during the cast you’ll miss your target and hang it up. The internal weight transfer of the Seeker allows me to place the bait exactly where I want it – I couldn’t be more pleased with the bait’s accuracy.”
Yet another necessary attribute is the ability to come through heavy brush and wood cover that’s so prevalent in the west Texas region Beilue frequents. He continues, “the fall months in Texas puts the bass along shallow rock with brush cover. Those submerged cedar and mesquite bushes are some of the toughest places to try and finesse a crankbait, yet I was very happy with the way the Seeker 6 was able to come through that difficult terrain.”
McCullough concludes his feedback with a critical ‘point’ about the Seeker series, noting, “of course, none of these fish-triggering features of the Seeker cranks matter if you don’t put the bass in the boat. Pull a set of those Japanese made Kitana hooks into their jaw and that fish is yours.”
MONSTERBASS Seeker Features
• Length: 2 ½”
• Weight: ½ oz
• 3 Depth Zones: 6, 8 and 12’
• Six Premium Colors
• BKK Treble Hooks
• Subtle Rattle
The Seeker Series of crankbaits can be found on the MONSTERBASS website.