Looking for some hot cool-weather action? It’s tough to beat the rush of cranking for aggressive, hungry, shad-focused bass.
A great way to boat more fall bass and cover lots of water quickly is with shallow-running crankbaits—lures that mimic the high-protein shad that bass are targeting now as they fatten up for the long winter ahead.
Many anglers will shy away from using lures with two treble hooks in snag-filled shallow waters, but those fishermen are missing out. The path to success lies in using the correct baits and proper gear; once you do your chances of getting hung up decrease dramatically, while your hookup rate can soar.
CRANK VS SPINNERBAIT: WHO WINS?
Some of my best shallow-water cranking areas are the same spots many anglers will choose to run spinnerbaits. By changing things up, you’ll not only be giving those bass a look at something new, there is also another big benefit. Compared to a spinnerbait, shallow-running crankbaits offer bass a more-appealing meal—these lures simply look more like the shad the bass are now targeting. By choosing the correct color combination, size, and style of your crankbait, you can effectively “match the hatch,” allowing you to trigger more strikes.
What type of shallow water cover areas should you be cranking? Here are a few favorites:
