 Diving Crankbaits are characterized by a bill or lip. Deep running crankbaits are used to probe depths of water below the surface.  Minnow type shallow runners are used as topwater lures and are
twitched across the surface. The diving depth is determined by the length and
width of the bill. When the bait is pulled through the water, the lip causes it to
dive. When the retrieve is paused the bait will float to the surface. The
action of the bait depends on the style of bait, length of cast, the rate of retrieve,
pausing and twitching action, and the position of the rod tip. Using a stop and go
retrieve around points, channels, stumps,and brush will often trigger a strike.Shallow, medium and deep running crankbaits come in different weights, sizes and color patterns. They can cover a large amount of water in a short time.
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  Catching
a large fish on a topwater lure is one of the most exciting moments an angler can
experience. These topwater baits, are often referred to as chuggers, poppers, stick
baits and prop baits. The chugger and poppers have a wide concaved snout that churns
the water when they are twitched and popped. Some are equipped with rattles inside them.Prop baits are equipped with either one or two propellers. The whirling action of the propellers causes a distinct vibration and sound when it is pulled across the surface. The stickbait is designed to walk and wobble across the surface. |
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When water is warm and fish are active a good method to use is the bulging retrieve. As soon as the lure hits the water, immediately engage the reel and use a rapid retrieve to keep the lure coming just under the surface of the water. The turning of the blades produces a bulge in the water. Hold on to your rod as strikes can be especially fierce with this method. Spinnerbaits are equipped with single blades or tandem blades of different styles and combinations. Anglers can choose the oblong Indiana blade, the thin willowleaf blade or the wider tear shaped Colorado blades. Trailers of all sizes and makes can be added to a spinnerbait. Spinnerbaits come in many sizes, weights and colors. Color of the spinnerbait is important in that it helps to determine the degree of visibility of the lure. |
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 A jig is a leadheaded hook with a
changeable skirt. A trailer is sometimes added to the jig, the most popular being the pork
rind. This combination is referred to as the jig n' pig.
Jigs can be effective when most lures just won't produce. They are virtually snagless, and can be put directly in the fish zone. They are especially effective on suspended fish that are hiding in deep cover. One way to fish the jig is to let it sink to the bottom and then begin a slow and steady retrieve. Other ways are to hop the lure along the bottom; use the rod tip to jig it vertically; flip it; or fish it like a spinnerbait. Most anglers have their own preferred method of fishing a jig. These lures come in many styles, colors, weights, etc. Small tube jigs are effective for catching small sunfish, and crappie. |
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 Plastics with a very light weight can be used when fishing shallow structure. Heavily weighted plastics are fished along the bottom. There are so many different types of plastics and so many different ways to rig them. There are plastics that imitate frogs; lizards; salamanders; leeches; worms; grubs; centipedes; fish; craw worms etc. that come in all sizes and colors. |
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The swimming
crankbait is similar to the lipped crankbait, except that it sinks when it is
paused. It is very versatile and can be fished at various depths. They are
effective around drop offs, humps, through timber and along edges of grass lines.
Probably the most
versatile bait in an anglers tackle box is the spinnerbait. One of its best features
is that it is easy to use and is relatively weedless. The blades spin and flash
during the retrieve and the action of the skirt adds life and shape to the bait. The
depth can be controlled by the rate of retrieve, and the position of the rod tip. It
is most often used to fish the top 2 to 4 feet of water although it can be used to fish
deeper structure. Using the 'slow roll' method the lure is
retrieved with the blades slowly turning, keeping the lure close to the bottom or over
other substrate. 
The design of a
buzzbait is very similar to a spinnerbait. The blade on a buzzbait acts as a propeller
that causes the bait to sputter along the surface. The distinctive noise of the
buzzbait will usually agitate bass into striking. 
