Crankbaits are one of the most commonly used bass lures. Crankbaits come in all shapes and sizes and in an unbelievable spectrum of colors, but they all have a few things in common. The first thing you will notice about crankbaits is the lip or bill on the front of each one designed to plane through the water and get the lure down in the water column. The diving depth of the lure can be roughly determined by the size of the bill; the bigger and longer, the deeper it will dive. Another thing you will notice about crankbaits is that there are usually two big treble hooks hanging from the bottom that make it look like it will hang up on the first piece of wood or weed it encounters. While crankbaits often do get fouled in this kind of cover, the attitude or position that the lure travels in is bill first and head down, thereby protecting the hooks from snagging.
The action of the lure you choose will play a role in the amount of fish you catch. With Crankbaits, the action (or wiggle) of the lure can vary, once again, by the shape and position of the lip. You will find crankbait lures with rounded lips and some with square lips, each producing a different kind of movement in the water. The position or angle of the lip from the center line of the lure also affects the movement of the lure during retrieve. The straighter or more inline the lip is with the center of the lure the more wobble the lure will produce.
Interested in a Fishing Vacation at Olive the Lake in Marten River, Ontario The last category for crankbaits covers all of the generic shallow and deep divers. Most baits are similar looking (short, stubby body) with the only difference being the size of lip to dictate running depth. They come in a myriad of colours, ranging from natural to extremely bright. Carry an assortment of each, and lean towards natural shades for clear water and brighter hues for murky situations.
When stocking up your tackle box, try to have a selection of these cranks to cover varying water depths. Have at least one bait that runs shallow (1-5 feet), medium (5-10) and deep (10-20 feet.) My suggestion would be to have a few of each variety in different shades of colour and by different manufacturers. This way you will have all of the bases covered. Retrieves for this style of crank is also straightforward. A constant slow to medium retrieve rate is sure to do the trick, and letting your bait periodically bump bottom can up its effectiveness.
Crankbaits and smallmouth bass make a perfect pair. Carrying the basic lures will enable you to catch a bundle of bass, without breaking the bank in the process. Learn the in's and out's of each style of bait, and be prepared to crank them in all day long.
