BassFishingOhio.com

Everyone can pick a crankbait out of their tacklebox and throw it haphazardly but if you do that you’re going to lose a lot of fish and confidence in your lure and fishing both.

Here are some things you should know about the crankbait you’re fishing:

Does it look good going through the water?  If it does, you’ll have better confidence in the bait and you’re fishing too.

What depth does it run?  If you’re fishing in deep water and your bait is only running 3 feet deep when bass are holding up at the bottom, what good does it do?  Know the depth your lure runs!

What is the slowest speed the lure can run and still have the action it needs?  Also, know the opposite…what is the fastest speed it can run and still have the action you want it to have?

We all know that erratic action can produce strikes, watch your crankbait in the water and see the action it makes.  What is the best way to work the lure?

What conditions are you fishing and what crankbait do you want to use?  Does the crankbait float?  Does it suspend or sink?  Know when to use your particular crankbait for certain conditions!

What size do you want to use for the fish you’re catching or want to catch?  Overall and in general, bigger bass like bigger lures.

What color crankbait should you be using?  What are the bass eating in their natural state? Shad? Crayfish? Trout? Bluegill?  Whatever it is try and match your crankbait to the same color.

What is the right size for your bass?  If they are eating shad or crayfish or both then a shorter crankbait is usally the answer.  There are some exceptions so try different crankbaits and see what you find.

What sound does your crankbait make?  Does it rattle?  Does it clang?  Does it make a clicking noise?  What exactly does it do and how will that help you?  For example, if the forage the fish are feeding on are crayfish, a clicking or rattle may help catch more bass because the crayfish may be making that same noise.

The next thing to know is the water displacement….is is a wide wobble?  Is it a short wobble?  How does it displace the water?  This could make a difference in how many bass you catch.  It seems less water displacement may do better in clear water while a bigger displacement may do better in muddy and stained water.  Experiment!

Whiles it’s easy to just grab a crankbait and start thowing it without knowing anything about it, you’ll find once you do find out what is actually does, you’ll not only catch more bass but also have more confidence in your fishing.

For a great forum about bass fishing visit my friend’s Rick website at:

http://fishtalkfishingreports.yuku.com/forums/59