The crankbait is one of the most popular and effective lures in bass fishing. They are perfect for imitating baitfish like shad but can also look just like bluegill or crawfish. That's one of the reasons they are so popular, and just by changing the type and color, you can match just about any situation you find yourself in. Aside from the color, knowing about the different styles of baits and what they do is essential to learn as you learn more about the power of the crankbait.
Shallow And Medium Divers
The biggest thing to remember with a crankbait is knowing how deep they will dive. Most lures say right on the package how deep the baits can get, and it's usually stated as a range since some things will affect how deep they dive. Lighter lines will get baits deeper than heavier lines, and longer casting distances will allow the bait to descend to the max.
You want to pick a crankbait that dives deeper than your fishing depth. There are some exceptions, but most of the time, having your bait hit the bottom and make contact as it grinds along will get the bass's attention and what you want to accomplish.
For the most part, shallow crankbaits are baits like square bills that deflect off of cover because of their square-shaped bill. They are must-haves for anyone looking to stock up on their box of crankbaits. The Strike King KVD 1.5 and Lucky Craft 1.5 are some of the best on the market. The 1.5 is an excellent all-around size, but there are smaller and bigger baits to match different forage.
Aside from the square bill style, there are some other shallow baits that you should consider. Some run very shallow, such as the Shimano Macbeth 50S, which will only get down to one foot. It resembles Mann's Baby 1-Minus; both baits can be fished above grass or other obstacles. They are also excellent for very shallow water where other crankbaits will hang up too much.
For the mid-range, which generally ranges from 5 to 15 feet of water, there are plenty of options, as this is where a lot of crankbait fishing takes place. One thing to remember in this depth is the shape and style of the bait you are fishing. Flatter baits will have a tighter action than bulkier and more rounded baits. The flat-sided baits are usually better when the water is colder than around 55 degrees, and the more aggressive actions are best when the water warms. These are general rules of thumb that many anglers follow, but feel free to experiment with each style of bait.
For the flat-sided bait, many anglers reach for expensive homemade balsa baits. A good, readily available, and less costly family of lures is the plastic Berkley Frittside series or the balsa Rapala DT series. Both are incredible at catching fish and should make it to your crankbait box.
For warmer water, there are many good baits to choose from. Some of the tried-and-true baits that have become best sellers because they work so well are lures like Strike King 3XD, Bandit Series 200 and Series 300, and the Norman Deep Little N. All fit the bill as solid mid-range diving crankbaits.
Deep And Very Deep Divers
When fishing deeper water, some crankbaits will allow you to reach depths of 15-, 20-, and 25 feet or more. While these baits require some bigger tackle and are more work on you as you grind them down to the depths, their ability to catch fish when targeting these deeper areas is unequaled.
The king of the deep-diving crankbait is the Strike King 6XD, which will hit depths of around 20 feet. They work well and have an aggressive action that bass can't stand getting into their area. Some other excellent deep-diving baits are the Rapala DT-16 and DT-20, as well as the Megabass Deep-Six.
The Strike King 10XD and Duel Hardcore Bullet Crank 7+ fit the bill for even deeper water. These massive baits dive to extreme depths, but they work well as bass are not used to seeing baits moving like this along the bottom at a fast clip in 25 feet of water. They have limited use, but they are two excellent options for targeting deep water.
Color Considerations
Now that you've learned the basics of the different crankbait styles, it's time to choose the right color bait. Even though popular baits can come in countless shades, such as the 47 colors offered in the famous Strike King KVD 1.5 square bill or 39 colors of their 6XD, you only need a few. A small handful of colors will do just about everything you need, as many of the colors sold have slight variations of other colors.
To keep it simple, you'll need a handful of baits in colors that imitate shad and some that look like bluegill or crawfish. Reds are also suitable for early in the year, when many lakes are at their muddiest, and the bright color triggers fish well this time of year. Another good option for stained and dirty water is chartreuse colors. They stand out great in muddy water, as does white, which can also be a good choice for clear water bass-eating shad.
Picking the correct crankbait first comes down to your needs and where you plan to fish them. Thankfully, there are baits that cover most of the depths bass anglers fish and colors that work. Fishing a crankbait is one of the best ways to catch bass in a hurry, and having something for all situations will allow you to take advantage of their power to get bites.
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