Spring Was Made For Crankbaits

Different Times, Techniques Attract Finicky Bass

By OVO Staff

For catching springtime lunkers seeking nourishment from their wintertime doldrums crankbaits should be high on the angler’s list of baits, said Dave Fry of the Berkley Fishing Team based in Stark County.

“Crankbaits are relatively easy to use effectively and fish they do attract to the hook are usually of keeper size," said Fry.

Fry explained, "Crankbaits are nothing more than various treble-hooked diving and sinking plugs that come in a variety of size and shapes and have a built-in vibrating wobble and swimming action to them."

The crankbait name is derived from the use of these lures; simply toss them "way out" and crank them, non-stop, back to the boat.

"That is unless a hungry chunker bass is lurking nearby, then it's every angler for themselves," said Fry, a top-notch bass angler.

Under normal conditions bass do not nibble at crankbaits but strike at them with a hungry vengeance.

"Generally speaking," he said, "the thinking is the longer the lip on the nose of the crankbait, the deeper and more quickly it dives. And the exact opposite is true."

"Depending on their lengths, crankbaits can be classed into three categories, deep or medium depth divers and shallow runners, covering depths from just under the surface to 20 feet or more down where the water is cool, attracting bass during the heat of the summer sun. It's generally known that crankbaits seem to attract more bass when they are worked in depths of 15 feet or less.

Deeper than that, jig'n pigs or worms work well," he said. "But that's another tactic that works well." Fry is well known for his productive use of worms.

Fry said that when tossing a crankbait, rigging it so it's capable of scratching its way along and among bottom structure is important for successful angling. Excellent tactics to remember when tossing a crankbait is to move it fast in warm or clear water and slow and deliberate when fishing in cold or highly turbid water conditions.

When working along a shoreline that isn't producing results it could relate to the lure not scratching the bottom for enough distance.

"If the bottom drops quickly when tossing a crankbait from a boat, the lure may not be reaching the bottom and not arriving at the depths where bass are lurking until it's about time to bring it on home."

If this may be the case, position the boat so casts are parallel to the shore or along drop-offs, not 90 degrees to them. This will keep the lure in the strike zone for longer periods during the casts.

Other than drop-offs and steep shorelines, other places where a crankbait may attract strikes is along cliffs, among rocky bottoms and underwater structures such as old bridge pilings, and erosion control walls along shoreline.

When working a crankbait during these situations change the direction the lure is running, working it along, across and around these bass-holding manifestations of the waterways.

Above all, don't be concerned about the possibility of losing your favorite lure. If it does hang up loosen the line, giving the lure adequate time to float free before doing anything drastic. If this doesn't work, circle the hang-up and try to pull it free from the opposite direction it was travelling when the hang-up occurred.

TOSS THEM EFFECTIVELY

"Although crankbaits are, for the most part, considered a toss and retrieve lure, it must be remembered the idea is to attract finicky bass. This may require different methods of the retrieve. An ultra-fast retrieve with a short pause, imitating a wounded baitfish, now and then is another effective tactic."

COLORS DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Allow forage fish in the impoundment to determine which color lure should be tossed. If shiners are predominant, use a silver-sided crankbait, If bass are accustomed to feeding on crawfish, perhaps a dark gray or brownish colored deep-diving, bottom-hugging crankbait will be more productive. If not, try another variation in colors.

RIPPING THROUGH THE RIPRAP

"During the first approach of early spring just before the spawn, when water temperature is hovering in the 55 to 60 degree mark, shallow water may be attracting slow moving bass," said Fry.

This may be the time to cast crankbaits parallel to ripraps, roadbeds and fallen timber, he said. He added that when fishing parallel to ripraps, use strategy to fit the situation at that moment.

"In early morning, it may prove productive to toss along shallow shoreline riprap first, moving slowly out to deeper depths. During evening hours, productive may mean working depths first, slowly working towards the shallow shoreline as the sun recedes in the west.

SNAGS AND TIMBER

"Immediately following ice-off, bass tend to stack up shallow around flooded timber and snags as they head for their spawning grounds," Fry theorized. This is especially true in impoundments such as the waters behind the Beach City Dam and in the Pymatuning Creek above State Route 88 within the Shenango Wildlife Area.

Tossing a crankbait past standing stick-ups, then retrieving it home slow and easy, allowing it to dabble on the surface, can and will attract lazy bass, Fry explained.

Anglers who predominantly use other lures should give crankbaits an earnest try.