In this video I discuss some of my favorite early season (winter/pre-spawn) crank baits. Crankbaits are actually some of the best baits for covering water during the coldest months of the year, but picking the right ones are very important. The following are some of my favorites! If you’re looking to purchase any of these baits, please consider using the Tackle Warehouse links provided below- that is one of the best ways to show your appreciation for my content!
WARNING: Be sure to change your hooks out for premium trebles during winter cranking! Bass’ mouths are tougher, and they also swipe at baits more- not to mention hooks will often wear down while cranking rocks. Check out the Hayabusa TBL930 hooks with the NRB coating: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Hayabusa_TBL930_Treble_NRB_Hooks/descpage-HTBNRB.html
Rapala DT6:
I would have to say that the Rapala DT6 is an incredible cold-water crankbait! I must admit, I never really throw it during the warmer parts of the year, but from November through February, it is tied on one or more of my rods without fail. The tight action of the DT6 and the slow-rising buoyancy qualities of this crank make it well suited for frigid bass. This bait also casts very well for being a wood bait and not having a weight transfer system. I primarily fish this bait around rock and gravel transition banks. Favorite Colors: Demon, Red Crawdad & Classic Craw.
Rapala DT6: https://bit.ly/40qtYmn
Rod: Fitzgerald 7’3” Med Vursa Rod: https://bit.ly/403L2Nz
Line: Seaguar 10-12lb InvizX: https://bit.ly/3PqoAZU
Reel: 6.6:1 (or similar gear ratio)
Spro Rock Crawler:
As the name implies, the Rock Crawler is an excellent bait around rock and generally hard bottoms. This bait finds it’s inspiration from the original Wiggle Warts that gained huge popularity on the lakes of the White River system, and though I also like the Wiggle Wart, the Rock Crawler honestly beats it in my book. The beauty of either the Wiggle Wart or the Rock Crawler is their ability to deflect off of hard targets and create a wild hunting action which gets bites from winter bass. This type of crank has a wider action than is usually popular during the cold months, but it nonetheless is an absolute killer!
Spro Rock Crawler 55: https://bit.ly/406W1pt
Rod: Fitzgerald 7’3” Med Vursa Rod: https://bit.ly/403L2Nz
Line: Seaguar 10-12lb InvizX: https://bit.ly/3PqoAZU
Reel: 6.6:1 (or similar gear ratio)
Jackal Bling 55: The Bling 55 is my go-to for shallow water cranking during winter! This little bait just absolutely rocks. It has the signature flat-sided tight action, it deflects off cover well, and the best part about it is the weight transfer system that lets you cast this thing a mile- which is a big deal considering most flat sided crankbaits cast like pissing in the wind. The Bling is a great bait when the fish are shallow and there are some good rock transitions to fish. Favorite colors: Craw Fish, SG Threadfin & Dark Craw.
Jackall Bling 55: https://bit.ly/429rE4j
Rod: Fitzgerald 7’ MH Vursa Rod: https://bit.ly/403L2Nz
Line: Seaguar 12lb InvizX: https://bit.ly/3PqoAZU
Reel: 6.6:1 (or similar gear ratio)
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