Aug 20, 2025

Master the Art of Advanced Crankbaiting: 3 Pro Tips for Catching More Bass

Crankbaits are a staple in every angler’s tackle box. Their cast-and-retrieve simplicity makes them a go-to for beginners and a timeless tool for pros. But if you're only using crankbaits with a “chunk and wind” strategy, you’re barely scratching the surface of what’s possible.

Want to increase your strike rate, reach deeper water, and adapt to seasonal fish behavior like a seasoned pro? Let’s dive into three advanced crankbaiting tips that will transform your fishing game.

1. Kneel & Reel for Deeper Dives

Most anglers understand the basics of getting crankbaits deeper—long casts, smaller-diameter line, and slower gear ratios like those on the Abu Garcia Revo Winch. But here’s a secret technique many overlook: kneeling and reeling.

This old-school method involves kneeling on your deck and submerging your rod tip into the water during the retrieve. Why does it work? Every foot your rod tip is underwater translates to an extra foot of diving depth for your lure. That extra reach can be the difference between just fishing and catching.

It’s particularly effective when targeting ledges, drop-offs, or submerged structure that lies just beyond the range of your crankbait’s standard dive. By reducing line resistance at the surface, you allow the bait to reach its max depth—and stay there longer.

2. Match Lure Action to the Bass’ Metabolism

Understanding bass behavior is crucial, especially how their cold-blooded metabolism reacts to water temperature. This directly affects how aggressively they pursue prey.

Here’s how to tailor your crankbait action to the season:

🧊 Cold Water (below 55ºF): Use flat-sided crankbaits like the Berkley Frittside or Bad Shad. These produce a tight, subtle action that matches the sluggish nature of cold-water bass.
☀️ Warm Water (above 60ºF): Switch to round-bodied baits such as the Berkley Digger, Dredger, or Wild Thang. Their wider, more aggressive wobble entices energetic fish in warmer waters.

Adjusting your bait’s action to match the season ensures you’re presenting the most natural-looking meal to your target, increasing your strike potential.

3. Trigger Reaction Strikes with Directional Changes

Even the best lure action becomes predictable. Bass are opportunistic feeders, but they're also smart and cautious. To trigger more reaction strikes, you need to break that pattern with sudden changes in direction or speed.

Try this:

Pause your retrieve briefly to let the bait suspend or rise.
Use your rod tip to "jerk" the lure sideways or down.
Bounce it off structure like rocks or wood for erratic movement.

These techniques cause the bait to veer off its normal path, mimicking injured prey and provoking an instinctual attack from nearby fish. That split-second change often triggers strikes when standard retrieves don't.

Bonus Tip: Fine-Tune Your Gear Setup

Don’t forget that your gear matters:

Use fluorocarbon line for its low visibility and sinking properties.
Choose longer rods (7' to 8') to help cast farther and achieve deeper dives.
Match gear ratio to the crankbait’s depth rating—lower ratios (5.1:1–6.4:1) work best for deep divers.

Final Thoughts

Crankbaiting doesn’t have to be repetitive or limited. When used with thoughtful strategy and technique, crankbaits become one of the most versatile tools in your tackle box. Whether you’re fishing pressured lakes or exploring new water, these advanced techniques give you the edge needed to land more and bigger bass.

So next time you're out on the water, ditch the autopilot mode and crank with purpose. 🐟