Few baits rival the fish-triggering appeal of a squarebill crankbait smashing into everything along its path. Wired2fish’s Kyle Peterson shares some lure design nuances and gear tips that make squarebill cranking more productive when targeting bass relating to wood and rock.
TACKLE USED
- CRANKBAIT – 13 Fishing Jabber Jaw, color – Citrus Shad
- ROD – 13 Fishing Envy Black 2 Casting Rod, 7’4″ MH/Mod Fast
- REEL – 13 Fishing Concept Boss, 8.1:1
- LINE – Sufix Advance Fluorocarbon, 14-pound
- Fish the bait with deliberate, moderate retrieve speed that crawls (worms) through, over, and into any available cover.
- Use a beefier rod with a moderate taper to assist in driving heavier gauge, premium hooks home. Kyle isn’t scared to set the hook when bass are smashing squarebills. A medium-heaving crankbait rod and reel spooled with 14-pound fluorocarbon has the strength to penetrate multiple hooks while allowing you to take control of the fish around cover.
- Choose a crankbait with a distinct sound. In addition to vibration, sound can be a powerful trigger. For example, the 13 Fishing Jabber Jaw delivers an excellent metal-on metal clack reminiscent of the ChatterBait JackHammer.
