Crankbaits?

[cpm032987]

I have just started bass fishing within the last year, and have found it very addictive.  I don't have a boat and spend the majority of my time fishing from the ground.  I have had the majority of my luck fishing using; spinners baits, worms, jigs, and lipless cranksbaits.  I know the water that I fish is fairly shallow, I have tried using crankbaits when fishing from the shore but never felt like they are as effective.  I know that I need to start being able to fish them, but since I mainly fish from the ground should I focus of using other types of baits or can crank baits be effective from the shore?

[Avalonjohn44]

I fish from shore mostly and love fishing cranks. My most productive (and easily found and cheap) are KVD1.5s and Bandits (100 and 200 series).

[Jar11591]

The only problem with using crankbaits from sure is it's tough to keep the bait in the strike zone long enough. You gotta cast really far to keep it down long enough. One advantage is as you reel it back towards shore, it will run into bottom and kick stuff up, which can trigger a strike.

[Crankinstein]

I spent a lot of time fishing cranks from the shore and it can be very effective. When the bass are in shallow an effective retrieve can be casting parallel to shore if your spot permits and let that bait make a lot of contact with any structure that's on the bottom. If you think the fish are further out in deeper water I'd say use a longer rod to add a little more range on your cast. As with any technique you'll want to pay close attention to what colors and lure styles the bass in your home lake prefer. The bass in my home lake love fire tiger.

[Marty]

Yes, using crankbaits from shore can be very effective. All you need to do is match the bait's running depth to the depth of the water. If the water is open you might want a lure that will bump the bottom. If it's weedy you may want something that ticks the weeds or runs just above them.

[Missourifishin]

I caught the majority of my bass last year fishing crank baits from the shore. And some of my largest ones this year have come on crankbaits.

[pafishing717]

i like crankbaits but im strating to get into using spoons caught a good one yesterday on a small dare devil

[gripnrip]

This is why this site is excellent.  The thread below is worth its weight in gold.  I suggest you bookmark this thread!

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/72766-a-rare-insight-into-crankbait-fishing/

[papajoe222]

I have just started bass fishing within the last year, and have found it very addictive.  I don't have a boat and spend the majority of my time fishing from the ground.  I have had the majority of my luck fishing using; spinners baits, worms, jigs, and lipless cranksbaits.  I know the water that I fish is fairly shallow, I have tried using crankbaits when fishing from the shore but never felt like they are as effective.  I know that I need to start being able to fish them, but since I mainly fish from the ground should I focus of using other types of baits or can crank baits be effective from the shore?

My condolences on your new found addiction. It isn't a hard habit to break, it's impossible and it only gets worse.

Many anglers have similar experiences when first using crankbaits and I believe one of the reasons is that they fish it like a spinnerbait, or lipless crank. Although you can catch fish presenting a crank in that manner, you're eliminating the most inviting (to bass) retrieve. Cranks shine when they abruptly change direction/speed. Whether it's  bouncing one off timber, rocks, or the bottom. That deflection changes both the speed and direction of the bait. Sometimes just pumping the rod or giving the reel's handle a quick turn or stopping it momentarily can trigger a strike.

Like the other baits you mention, as your experience with them and cranks increases, you will find that no one bait or retrieve produces consistantly. Your new found addiction will get worse as you develop more skills. Welcome Grasshopper 

[Bluebasser86]

I catch a ton of bass on cranks fishing from the bank. Actually, when I'm fishing them from the boat I'll spend a lot of time with the nose of the boat really close to the bank. Cast parallel to the shoreline and grind them suckers along the bottom and you'll catch fish. Carry a telescoping lure retriever with you to unsnag stuck baits and you're good to go. 

[Bankbeater]

This time of year it is crankbaits, and more crankbaits.  You can catch bass using a jig or a plastic, but I have much better luck with crankbaits.

[OkobojiEagle]

Working a shallow diving crankbait parallel to the shoreline is very good advice, particularly if you can wade a short distance into the water.  Using floating topwater baits such as a popper, spook or floating/shallow diving jerkbait may also yield a few bass as the water warms.  Don't be afraid to let those topwater baits sit motionless for several seconds.

 

 

oe

[Grizzn N Bassin]

I do vert well with cranks. Mostly parrell or worked deep to shallow. I have a few weed beeds i fish over top with a 3-6' crank. Just find the retrive and your fine. I like shallow square bills the best for bank fishing. I use reds, chartreuse patterns, fire tiger, and a blue gill pattern. I do have a weak spot for the kvd 1.5 green top white belly that thing is my number one producing crank. You can catch alot of fish on cranks from the shore

[roadwarrior]

I fish from shore mostly and love fishing cranks. My most productive (and easily found and cheap) are KVD1.5s and Bandits (100 and 200 series).

 

Great advice!  I would add the Norman Fat Boy to the mix.

[fishva]

I only fish from the banks as well. I had a hard time learning how to fish cranks deep from the bank for a long time. I'm finally starting to have some success with it.

Basically, I take a sinking crank and kind of fish it like a weightless plastic. What I mean is, I let the bait sink (while reeling in the slack and giving it some little twitches) through the water column. Then I raise my rod tip to bring the lure back up near the surface, reel in the slack while it sinks, and repeat. Often, they'll bite on the fall (like a jig or soft plastic), or on the initial rise.

Also, because you're only reeling in the slack, that kind of helps you manage the speed of your retrieval. For me, I know I was burning them in way too fast for a long time. And that was a big part of my problem.

[WIGuide]

Crankbaits can be very effective from the bank. The only time they get hard to throw is if there's a lot of veggies in between you and the deeper water.

[AQUA VELVA]

Invest in a good pair of chest waders, thats what I did before I bought a boat. They had a nice big pocket on the front inside and I could fit a Plano box in it with all I needed. I tried fishing from the bank for awhile untill I realized there were a lot of places I could fish in the water that I couldn't get to from the shore. Anyway, I just sort of liked being out in the water while I fished. Good luck!

[cpm032987]

• Thanks for the advice! Guess these crankbaits aren't as intimidating as I believed