Summer Crankbaits: Everything You Need To Know! (Shallow & Deep)

Its crankbait time! If you want to catch bass consistent in the Summer, the crankbait should be part of your plan. Deep diving crankbaits and shallow crankbaits both deserve a place in your Summer line up. Today we're teaching what makes one bait better than another and how to pick the right baits for this time of year. We're covering details like best colors, hook arrangements, and retrieve speeds to help you catch more fish. 

You can go broke buying crankbaits! We know, because we've been there! If you try to buy a couple good colors in every major model of crankbait you can sink an entire retirement fund! Instead of going through that hassle, let us show you what we've already learned. There are a handful of crankbaits (ultra shallow, shallow, deep, and ultra deep) that should be in your line-up but you don't need a ton of models and you only need 2-3 colors. 

Below you'll find links to every bait Tim discussed in the video. We've included the baits, recommended colors, even hook upgrades. We've also included the best rod and reel combos for each style of bait, including an all-around budget friendly option. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can get detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 


OVERSIZED DEEP CRANKBAITS...

-Strike King 10XD: http://bit.ly/2gHT4F0

Colors: Powder Blue Back, Sexy Shad, Delta Red


-Megabass BIG M: https://bit.ly/2yHmm4R

Colors: Green Craw, Jukucho Shad, Blue Back Chart


-AZUMA Z Boss (22, 24): http://bit.ly/2poLKUC

Colors: Hot Mess, Grand Shad


DEEP-DIVING CRANKBAITS... 

-R2S Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Colors: Blood Craw, Metallic Shad, Mirrored Minnow


-Strike King 6XD: http://bit.ly/2TcuSyi

Colors: Powder Blue Back, Sexy Ghost Minnow, Sexy Shad


-Rapala DT 16: http://bit.ly/2BL0UYl

Colors: Delta, Parrot, Green Gizzard Shad

RATTLING SHALLOW CRANKS... 

-River2Sea Biggie Poppa: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Colors: Abalone Shad, T-1000, TS Minnow


-Luhr Jensen Speed Trap: https://bit.ly/3ccfJbV

Colors: Orange Crawfish, Chartreuse Shad, Near Clear Pearl


-Rapala DT-4: http://bit.ly/2BL0UYl

Colors: Delta, Citrus Shad, Green Gizzard Shad


SILENT SHALLOW CRANKS... 

-Lucky Craft 1.5: http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

Colors: Spring Craw, American Shad, Ghost Minnow


-Megabass S-Crank: http://bit.ly/2dPdTxb

Colors: Fire Craw, Sexy French Pearl, MB Gizzard


ULTRA-SHALLOW CRANK... 

-SPRO Baby Fat John 50: http://bit.ly/2V03giW

Colors: Matte Shad, Honey Shad, Nasty Shad


HOOK UPGRADES...

-Owner ST-56 Treble: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

-Gamakatsu EWG Bronze: http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

-VMC Hybrid Bladed: http://bit.ly/2oqWODi


FAVORITE ALL-AROUND DEEP CRANKBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX PRO 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- Sunline Flurocarbon 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm


FAVORITE SHALLOW CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 12 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9


"BANG FOR THE BUCK" DEEP CRANK COMBO... 

Rod- Dobyns Champion 805 CB: http://bit.ly/29OVD4V

Reel- Shimano Tranx 200: http://bit.ly/2Tv0yCy

Line- Sunline Flurocarbon 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm


BUDGET ALL-AROUND CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod- Dobyns Fury 705 CB (7' Med Heavy Cranking): http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano SLX HG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm


WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR? 

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Lipless Crankbait and Blade Bait Tips For Spring Bass Fishing

The lipless crankbait is a staple in most angler's Spring bass fishing arsenal, but very few understand the late-season effectiveness of the blade bait. Both options can produce incredible results in Spring and you should fish them with confidence. 

Today we're heading down the rabbit hole of lipless and blade baits. Matt begins with a surface level approach, recommending a couple baits for all-around success, but it doesn't take long before we're looking at niche baits, detailed color analysis, and in-depth descriptions of how big bass stage in Spring. 

With an almost endless list of baits in today's video we're using the video description to simplify the selections. Below you'll find links to our favorite all-around baits, our favorite baits by depth, and our favorite gear to throw them. We've included favorite colors, hook upgrades, and more. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 


If You Could Only Have One... 

Bottom Contact- Lucky Craft LV-500 (Ghost minnow): http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Shallow Retrieve- Cotton Cordell Spot (Chrome Blue): http://bit.ly/2y3K210


Favorite Blade Baits For Spring... 

-Megabass Dyna Response 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2R7FlvL

Favorite Colors: Ito Hiuo, Jukucho Shad, Gill OB


-Damiki Vault 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Favorite Colors: Black Holo, Holo Cyber Purple, Real Shad


Lipless Crankbaits For Bottom Hopping... 

-Jackall TN-70: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Favorite Colors: Super Shad, SG Threadfin, RT Escape Craw


-Lucky Craft LV-500: http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Favorite Colors: Ghost minnow, American Shad, Chartreuse Shad


Lipless Cranks For Mid-Column Fishing... 

-Booyah One Knocker: https://bit.ly/3kyOoD5

Colors: Bling, Ghost, Tiger Craw


-6th Sense Quake 70: http://bit.ly/2Kxt4zm

Colors: Crimson Flash, Shad Hammer


-Strike King Red Eye Shad: http://bit.ly/2fqX1RT

Colors: Chartreuse Sexy Shad, Chrome Sexy Shad, Delta Red

Lipless Crankbaits For Shallow Fishing... 

-Damiki Tremor 65: http://bit.ly/2fVt8H6

Colors: American Shad, Real Shad, Red Craw

-Cotton Cordell Super Spot: http://bit.ly/2y3K210

Colors: Chrome Blue, Royal Red


-Lucky Craft LVR D-7: http://bit.ly/3r45j1T

Colors: Golden Shiner, Chartreuse Shad, Ghost Minnow


Split Ring/Treble Hook Upgrades...  

Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire (Size 3): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX


Hooks For BIG Fish- Owner ST-56: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Sizes: 4 for 1/2 oz baits, 2 for 3/4 oz baits

**LV-500 and TN-70 both use Size 4 Hooks**


Hooks For Quality Fish- Gamakatsu EWG: http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

Sizes: 4 for 1/2 oz baits, 2 for 3/4 oz baits

**LV-500 and TN-70 both use Size 4 Hooks**


Our Favorite Lipless Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam 150 XG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC-100 Shock Leader 16 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB


Great Mid-Price Lipless Combo... 

Rod- Megabass Levante Flat Size Special: http://bit.ly/2FdE3YY

Reel- Shimano SLX MGL 70 (HG): https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9


Budget Lipless Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 705 CB (7' Med Heavy Cranking): http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano SLX HG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm


Budget Blade Bait Combo...

Rod- 13 Fishing 6'10" Medium Omen Black 3: http://bit.ly/3lAXbEV

Reel- 13 Fishing Origin C (8:1): http://bit.ly/392qsU6

Line- Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm


Want TacticalBassin Gear?  

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Lipless web.jpg

Squarebill Crankbait Tricks To Catch More Bass Right Now!

Squarebills are a great way to cover water and catch bass in Spring. They're great for fishing shallow because of their ability to deflect off cover. They catch aggressive fish with ease but you can also adjust your retrieve to trigger a feed response from inactive fish. Today we're covering a few of the tricks we use to really dial in the shallow squarebill crankbait bite in Spring. 

As the fish stage around shallow spawning areas the squarebill begins to shine. There are a few considerations when choosing the right squarebill, such as color, rattling or silent, and diving depth. Understanding how each of these variables can be adapted to changing conditions will help you catch fish much more consistently. 

In addition to those variables Tim has a few tricks he applies to maximize his effectiveness with square bills. He uses several different hooks for different situations and pays very close attention to his equipment. Below you'll find links to his top rattling and top silent square bills, separated by diving depth. We've also included links to some of our favorite rod and reel combos for this technique. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 


Silent Squarebills... 

Ultra Shallow- Rapala BX Brat: http://bit.ly/2qFBMiR

Colors: Delta, Hot Dang, Mossy

Shallow- Lucky Craft 1.5: http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

Colors: American Shad, TO Craw, Flake Flake Stripe Gill

Mid-Depth- Lucky Craft 2.5: http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

Colors: American Shad, Chartreuse Shad


Rattling Squarebills... 

Ultra Shallow- River2Sea Biggie Smalls: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Colors: Cold Blooded, I know It, Abalone Shad

Shallow- Spro Little John Type R: https://bit.ly/3j0GS3a

Colors: Copper Shad, Homemade Shad, Rayburn Red

Mid-Depth- River2Sea Biggie Poppa: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Colors: Cold Blooded, I know It, Abalone Shad


Hook/Ring Upgrades... 

Tim's Favorite Crank Hook- Owner ST-35: http://bit.ly/2g8uCMj

Tim's Traditional Crankbait Hook- Owner ST-36: http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw

Bladed Hook- VMC Bladed Hybrid: http://bit.ly/2oqWODi

Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire (Size 2 or 3): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX


Hook Sizes... 

BX Brat, 1.5, Biggie Smalls, Little John: Size 4

Biggie Poppa, 2.5: Size 2


High-end Squarebill Combo... 

Rod- Megabass P5 Z-Crank: https://bit.ly/30GcHqb

Reel- Shimano Metanium 150 B (XG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

Line- Sunline Sniper 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju


All-Around Squarebill Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Champion XP 704 (7' Medium): http://bit.ly/29OVD4V

Reel- Shimano SLX 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Budget Squarebill Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7' Medium Glass: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

Reel- Shimano SLX 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm


Want TacticalBassin Gear?  

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 


TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

squarebill web.jpg

Buyer's Guide: Squarebills and Lipless Crankbaits For Every Season

Today's Buyer's guide is all about the reaction bite. In an effort to pack in as much information as possible, we've combined two of the largest crankbait categories into our final buyer's guide of the season. We're looking at shallow crankbaits for triggering a reaction bite, then switching gears to lipless crankbaits and exploring the best baits for fishing shallow grass flats, the best baits for deep water applications, and everything in between. 

Choosing the right crankbait is a combination of 3 variables. First, do you want sound? Second, how large are the baitfish or crawfish you're imitating? And finally, how deep (or shallow) do you need to reach? Answering these 3 questions will guide you to the best bait in your box, every time. From there, a small selection of colors is all you need to meet every situation. 

Below you'll find links to our favorite baits in every size and depth range. We've included our favorite colors, along with the rods, reels, and gear you'll need to be successful on the water. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 


Magnum Squarebills... 

-Lucky Craft BDS-6: http://bit.ly/2sRZby9

Colors: BP Golden Shiner, TO Craw


-6th Sense Mini Mag: http://bit.ly/31KGyeC

Colors: Ghost Shad Scales, Ghost Threadfin Shad, Delta Craw


Standard Squarebills... 

-Lucky Craft BDS-3: http://bit.ly/2blTVwI

Colors: BP Golden Shiner, TO Craw, Ghost Minnow


-Lucky Craft 1.5 / 2.5: http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

Colors: American Shad, BP Golden Shiner, Ghost Minnow


-River2Sea Biggie Poppa and Smalls: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Colors: Abalone Shad, Cold Blooded, I Know It


Small Squarebills... 

-Megabass Super Z Z-1 Shallow Crank: https://bit.ly/2Y9dkHB

Colors: Kasumi Ito, Mat Craw 2, GG Gill


-SPRO Little John 50: http://bit.ly/2dDfuqt

Colors: Copper Shad, Natural Herring, Fire Craw, Blood Craw


-SPRO Fat John 50: http://bit.ly/2V03giW

Colors: Matte Shad, Citrus Nasty, Nasty Shad


-Evergreen CH-1: http://bit.ly/2MrsOCG

Colors: Ayu, Fire Craw, Damonde Shad


Large Lipless Crankbaits... 

-6th Sense Quake 80: http://bit.ly/2Kxt4zm

Colors: Shad Scales, American Shad, Crackle Craw


-Spro Aruka Shad 85: http://bit.ly/37seMJN

Colors: Red Crawfish, Spooky Shad, Clear Chartreuse


Primary Lipless Baits... 

-Lucky Craft LV-500: http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Colors: Ghost Minnow, American Shad, Chartreuse Shad


-Jackall TN-70: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Colors: RT Scale Minnow, RT Escape Craw, Ghost Minnow


Little Lipless... 

-Jackall TN-50: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Colors: SG Threadfin, RT Scale Minnow, Sprinkle Wakasagi


Budget Lipless... 

-Bill Lewis Rattle Trap 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2gm8CjC 

Colors: Cali Craw, Ghost Minnow, American Shad


-Cotton Cordell Super Spot: http://bit.ly/2y3K210

Colors: royal Red, Chrome Black, Chrome Blue


Crankbait Storage... 

-Plano Edge 3700 Deep Box: https://bit.ly/3dbdbby


Our Favorite Lipless/Squarebill Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam 150 XG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC-100 Shock Leader 16 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB


Mid-Priced Lipless Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis E6X 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2G5Bc86

Reel- Shimano SLX XT XG: http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9


Budget Lipless Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 705 CB (7' Med Heavy Cranking): http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano SLX HG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm


NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G


Previous Buyer's Guides... 

-Best Jigs and Trailers: https://bit.ly/38cc8XX

-Tackle Storage and Gear Protection: https://bit.ly/2IF0kVf

-Best Jerkbaits: https://bit.ly/3qPPOLY

-Spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits: https://bit.ly/2Lj4hjk

-Dropshot: https://bit.ly/2KgBr2w

-Craws and Creatures: https://bit.ly/3lU4vLe

-Best Ned Rig Baits and Gear: https://bit.ly/3fo75GV

-Deep Diving Crankbaits: https://bit.ly/3kXuH6h

-Big Swimbaits: https://bit.ly/395vTT6

-High End Rod/Reel Combos: https://bit.ly/35PNOeu

-$500 Rod/Reel Combos: https://bit.ly/3lW1o5I

-$400 Rod/Reel Combos: https://bit.ly/3lSfwwz

-$200 Rod/Reel Combos: https://bit.ly/2USSCJv

-$100 Rod/Reel Combos: https://bit.ly/37aupED

crankbait web.jpg