Big lipped, floating and diving crankbaits make it possible for anglers to search a wide area at different depths to find large and smallmouth bass. The average depth you will reach is about 6 to 9 feet with most crankbaits. But crankbaits with large lips may dive up to 20 feet.

The stop-and-go retrieve is the most effective when searching for bass. Crank the lure down with a very fast retrieve and then stop allowing it to float up. Keep repeating this to cover a wide area of water and different depths. Once you catch that first bass, fishn that depth with a nice steady retrieve for bast results.

Crankbaits with small lips and slim long bodies give you an action like live baitfish, and are very effective for shallow water fishing. Trolling or casting them above weeds or over shoals is effective. They can even mimic surface lures in calm water tease the fish with light twiching movement and slow retrieves creating surface commotion.

Sinking flat sided baits are bast for around structure where stop-and-go or pumping retrieves will keep them in contact with it. Strikes often occur right after contact with this structure. Crankbaits look great wobbling through the water, but they attract bass best when nocking on their front door. The real large lips on the larger crankbaits act as a deterent to a lot of snagging problems.

Most crankbaits are not considered weedless, often contact with weeds is needed to get that strike. When you hit the weeds use a ripping action to free it. A lot of great stikes will occur right after you rip away.

Do not use heavy heavy swivels and snaps to attach your baits this will cause the action of the crankbait to be erratic and not natural. Use a loop knot or a small snap with nop swivell to get the best action from the crankbaits, just check you knots now and again because of the stress on the baits.