The unique shape of a square-bill’s lip (spoiler: it’s square) makes it ideal for banging off cover such as rocks and branches without getting hung up. That disturbance caused by a crankbait hitting and deflecting away from cover is often what triggers nearby fish to bite.
What’s the difference between a square bill and a round bill crankbait?
Square-bill vs.
Standard theory goes: Square-bill crankbaits are used for fishing shallow around thick wood or grass cover. Round-bill crankbaits are used for any other diving application, but primarily for deeper work.
How deep do square bill crankbaits dive?
Square bill crankbaits are best for running in the shallows from 1 to 4 feet, while a plug with a 1-inch bill will dive to about 10 feet deep. Some crankbaits with even longer bills have the ability to reach depths down to 25 or 30 feet. Another factor for choosing the right style of crankbait is the time of year.
When should you throw a square bill?
Alton Jones says that early spring is prime time for tossing square-billed crankbaits. He focuses on shallow water that has “new grass” growing. These areas are baitfish magnets. “Cranking in the springtime is great, especially if there’s grass in the area, like hydrilla or milfoil,” Jones explains.
What kind of fishing line is best for crankbaits?
Fish your crankbaits with light line. Smaller and thinner lines give you a better wiggle, and you’ll get more casting distance with them.
What is a coffin bill crankbait?
Coffin bills – Coffin bills are a much, overlooked variation of a billed crank bait. The diving plane looks just like a coffin. It combines the snagless features of a square bill with a longer bill enabling it to, not only be more snag free but to dive to greater depths that the square bill.
What are square bill crankbaits?
When we speak of square bills, we’re talking about shallow running crankbaits with diving bills that are flat in the front and that have corners, instead of being rounded in front and on the sides. As a category, square bills are considered the best crankbaits for working through shallow cover.
What are crankbait lips made of?
Crankbait Lips
All crankbait bills are made of clear plastic.
How fast should I reel in a crankbait?
The correct speed of any crankbait reel is 21 inches of line pick-up per turn of the reel handle. Most of that information is on the internet or on the packaging. If it isn’t, measure what your reel is doing with a ruler. It’s that important.
Do you use a weight with crankbait?
As the water temps bottom out, try weighting your wintertime crankbaits to maximize their effectiveness. A little extra weight will kelp you throw them farther, get them deeper and keep them there longer.
Why is my crankbait floating?
Floating crankbaits are useful when fishing water that has heavy concentrations of weeds, or water that is strewn with timber or bottom clutter. When your crankbait makes contact with something — be it weeds or wood — a brief pause will allow it to float up and away from the snag.
What are crankbaits good for?
Crankbaits are used to target fish at specific depths. The length and angle of the plastic lip is what determines the depth that the bait can reach. Longer, less-angled, lips dive deeper than short, sharp-angled, lips. Crankbaits are fish catching machines because they can effectively cover water.
What can you catch with crankbait?
From cold water species such as trout and salmon, to warm water fish like bass, pike, walleye, perch and panfish, a properly selected crankbait can often be one of the most important lures in an angler’s tackle box.
How deep does a KVD 2.5 dive?
KVD Crankbaits
| KVD 2.5 Squarebill Crankbait | KVD 8.0 Squarebill Crankbait | |
|---|---|---|
| DIVING DEPTH (FEET) | 3-5′ | 6-9′ |
| WEIGHT | 5/8oz | 1 1/2oz |
| MODEL NUMBER | HCKVDS2.5 | HCKVDS8.0 |
Do crankbaits work for trout?
Another appeal of using crankbaits for trout is that they tend to attract a little larger fish on average than do most flies, jigs or spinners, and they are among the best lures for targeting trophy trout.
What is a good square bill rod?
A good square-bill cranking rod needs some backbone for castability and sensitivity, but also enough bend to keep fish pinned when hooked.Gear ratio preferences vary for square-bill fishing with a casting reel, but most pros prefer a 6.3:1 to 7.3:1 reel.
Is Mono good for crankbaits?
Monofilament line will give you that very important split-second delay that’s needed for suitable hook penetration. In addition, bass will often swipe at crankbaits out of pure reaction; many times their mouth won’t even be open. Again, monofilament will give you more forgiveness in this situation.
What fishing line is better mono or fluorocarbon?
Over the long term, fluorocarbon is extremely resistant to the elements as well, unlike monofilament. Overtime, U.V. rays, rain and humidity, and extreme temperatures (both hot and cold) can cause monofilament to break down and lose strength. Fluorocarbon is much more resistant to these conditions over the long term.
Is braid good for crankbaits?
Braided line is a great choice when bass fishing with crankbaits.
Are glass rods better for crankbaits?
Since the glass rod is more flexible, it naturally gives causing the fish to get the bait in his mouth instead of ripping the hooks out. They also improve casting distance due to their slingshot like ability. This allows for further casts and is crucial when throwing larger crankbaits.
What reel does KVD use for crankbaits?
KVD believes in paying attention to detail, and part of what makes him a successful crankbait fisherman, is his complete cranking system. From Quantum Tour KVD E-Glass Crankin Rods and 5.3:1 Quantum Smoke Reels to the Strike King 10XD Crankbait, fishing line, treble hooks, and electronics.
Contents