Bass Fishing Oct - Nov 2020 | Page 24

COLUMN : TACTICAL BASSIN get crankin ’

Often overlooked , the squarebill crankbait can be absolute money in the fall
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Matt Allen and Tim Little are well-known big-bass experts who own Tactical Bassin , a website and social media channels dedicated to educating the public about bass fishing .

A

s the trees transition from vibrant greens to deep reds and yellows , there ’ s something happening below the surface of your lake . It ’ s a silent , mostly unnoticeable change , but when it happens , prepare to catch some fish .
As fall settles in , baitfish that roamed the open water throughout summer are sensing the cooling temperatures and are swimming toward the shallows . Bass are following this migration , swiping at the stragglers in an effort to corral them into shallow areas of the lake . Soon , the backwaters and shallow coves of your lake will come to life with bass exploding to the surface , gorging on
shad and other baitfish in preparation for winter .
When this transition takes place , many anglers turn to topwater lures in search of that heart-stopping surface strike . Topwaters are a great option , but if you want to catch fish consistently , turn your attention instead to the squarebill crankbait .
Squarebills are often overlooked in the fall , but their effectiveness is second to none . Knowing a squarebill will get bit is only part of the equation ; understanding how to adapt them to changing conditions will open up a new world of opportunities for you this fall .
Several unique traits set a squarebill apart from every other lure during fall feeding frenzies . First , they can be fished effectively at multiple speeds , including an aggressive stop-and-go retrieve . From a slow , steady crawl ( when bass are patrolling the edges of the shallows but not actively ambushing prey ) to an all-out blitz as you burn a crankbait to trigger a feeding response when bass are actively chasing minnows , there ’ s no wrong way to fish the bait .
Our most effective method by far is something we call “ speed cranking .”
Speed cranking is achieved when a crankbait is burned
22 FLWFISHING . COM | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020