Squarebill Crankbait Tricks You Haven't Tried (But Your Friends Have!)

Want to catch more fish this Fall? Squarebill crankbaits are an awesome way to catch bass as temperatures cool. Which baits? What speed? Are there special colors that get bit more than others? Of course! Come along as we dive in-depth with squarebill crankbaits and cover everything you need to know as you head out on the water to catch Fall bass!

The squarebill crankbait should have a place in every angler's arsenal. Whether you fish on the bank or from a boat it has an innate ability to come through shallow cover and trigger a feed response in lurking bass. Today's video is all about learning how to fine-tune the technique to perfectly match your conditions.

You need to start paying closer attention to speed, adding bite triggers into your retrieve cadence, adjusting diving depth by switching between baits in your arsenal, and which colors get more bites this time of year. You can go down the bank chucking and winding or you can take it to the next level and start triggering BIG bites consistently. Its totally up to you!

Below is a breakdown of all the baits and equipment in the video. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. We've included our favorite baits, colors, hook upgrades when applicable, as well as the exact rods and reels we use. We even included a budget-friendly combo that excels for the price.  

Matt's All-Around Favorite Crankbait... 

Bait- River2Sea Biggie Poppa Squarebill: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Color: Abalone Shad

Tiny/Shallow Squarebills... 

Bait- Spro Baby Fat John 50: http://bit.ly/2V03giW

Favorite Colors: Citrus Nasty, Honey Shad, Matte Shad

Bait- Lucky Craft 0.7, 1.0: https://bit.ly/32PbkGI

Favorite Colors: Golden Shiner, Pearl Threadfin

**50 Runs the shallowest, followed by 0.7, then 1.0**

Silent Squarebills... 

Bait- Lucky Craft 1.5 and 2.5: http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

Favorite Colors: Golden Shiner, American Shad, Gizzard Shad

Bait- 6th Sense Crush Silent 50 and 100: http://bit.ly/2BGUQlS

Favorite Colors: Shad Scales, Shad-Treuse Scales

**1.5 runs shallower than 2.5 and 50 runs shallower than 100**

Rattling Squarebills... 

Bait- River2Sea Biggie: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Favorite Colors: Abalone Shad, T-1000, TS Minnow

Bait- 6th Sense Crush 50 and 100: http://bit.ly/2HbaCGT

Favorite Colors: Shad Scales, Shad Burst, ChromeTreuse Shad

**Smalls runs shallower than Poppa**

Large Squarebills... 

Bait- Lucky Craft BDS 6: http://bit.ly/2sRZby9

Favorite Color: BP Golden Shiner

Bait- 6th Sense Cloud 9 Mini Mag: http://bit.ly/31KGyeC

Favorite Colors: Ghost Shad Scales, Ghost Threadfin Shad, Shad Scales

Hook Upgrades... 

Light Wire Hook- Gamakatsu EWG Treble (Size 2 and 4): http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

Heavy Wire Hook- Owner ST-56 Treble (Size 2 and 4): http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Split Rings- Hyperwire Size 2 or 3: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Favorite All-Around Squarebill Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam 150 XG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 20 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 12 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Mid-Priced Squarebill Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis E6X 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2G5Bc86

Reel- Shimano SLX DC XG: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Budget Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7' Medium Glass: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

Reel- Shimano SLX HG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Ultra-Budget Combo... 

Rod- Denali Ryker 7' Medium heavy: https://bit.ly/31bKfgp

Reel- Daiwa CC 80 HS: http://bit.ly/34ltqP9

Line- Sunline Assassin 15 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Summer Crankbait Fishing: Best Baits, Modifications, and Colors (GIANT Fish Hooked!!)

Summer bass fishing with crankbaits can be incredible! Today the guys locate a school of hungry fish and start getting bit on every cast! The feeding frenzy is intense and seems like it will never end. When the bite finally slows Matt pulls out his crankbait boxes and shows his favorite baits, how to tune them, adjust hardware, and choose color but is interrupted when Coop sets the hook on a GIANT!

While today's target species were hard to come by (the passing thunderheads mixed with sweltering periods of bluebird skies were not helping), the crankbait fishing for White Bass was intense! We'll never know what Coop was tied into as his drag was screaming but it goes to show the drawing power and excitement that can be had with a deep crankbait during the Summer months. If you haven't tried throwing a crankbait, the time has come. This pattern will work all the way through Fall and anyone can do it. 

Below is a list of the baits Matt showed in the video (including color recommendations) along with the hooks and equipment the guys were using. Additionally Matt has included a budget rod/reel combo option for those that want to dabble with the technique without buying expensive equipment. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

Today's Cranks That Caught Fish... 

Matt- Tactical DD 75 Crankbait (Metallic Shad): http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Coop- Strike King 6XD (Powder Blue/Chartreuse): http://bit.ly/2ery44M

The Baits In Matt's Crankbait Boxes... 

-Tactical DD 75 Crankbait: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Favorites: Metallic Shad, Mirrored Minnow, DD Minnow

-Strike King 6XD: http://bit.ly/2ery44M

Favorites: Powder Blue/Chartreuse, Chartreuse Sexy Shad

-Strike King 10XD: http://bit.ly/2gHT4F0

Favorites: Sexy Blue Back Herring, Powder Blue Back Chart

-Megabass Big M 7.5: https://bit.ly/2yHmm4R

Favorites: Blue Back Chart, Yuzu Shad

-Azuma Z Boss 22 and 25: http://bit.ly/2poLKUC

Favorites: Hot Mess, Grand Shad

-Spro Little John Super DD: https://bit.ly/2yGt62O

Favorites: Natural Herring, Chart Blue, Spooky Nasty

-6th Sense Cloud 9 C25: http://bit.ly/2BQ4uDs

Favorites: Blue-Treuse Shad, Sexified Chartreuse Shad

Hook and Split Ring Upgrades... 

-Owner Hyperwire Split Rings(Size 4 or 5): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

-Owner ST-36 Trebles (Size 1/0): http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw

-Owner ST-56 Trebles (Sizes 4,2,1): http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

-Gamakatsu EWG (Size 4, 2): http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

Matt's Crankbait Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 968 CBR Heavy: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- Sunline Assassin 17 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Coop's Crankbait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'6" Medium Heavy Glass: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Tranx 200 HG: http://bit.ly/2Tv0yCy

Line- Sunline Assassin 15 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Budget All-Around Crankbait Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 7' MH Crank: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 XT HG: http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line- Sunline Assassin 15 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Post Spawn Crankbait Fishing Tricks - Speed Cranking For Aggressive Bass!

Forget the way you fish crankbaits! If you're not speed cranking in the post spawn, you're missing an amazing opportunity to catch big bass. Its all about TRIGGERING a reaction strike. Whether you're a Southern Largemouth guy or a Northern Smallmouth guy, you have an amazing opportunity right now to force feed your crankbaits to the bass. The crank's ability to fire up a feeding frenzy is second to none as bass are moving toward their Summer haunts and you don't want to miss it!

This technique works incredibly well this time of year. It doesn't matter if your fish are 20' deep feeding on outside ledges or 2' deep on shallow rock bars. The method works in both scenarios, you just need to adapt the specific baits to maintain the speed at different depths. We find that carrying a variety of squarebill crankbaits, mid divers, and deep divers will allow you to adapt to changing conditions. Also, traditional knowledge would encourage using ghost colors in clear water but we've found that during this period you can see incredible results fishing bold colors like Chartreuse or chartreuse/Blue, even in gin clear water. 

Below you'll find a breakdown of the baits and equipment Matt discussed along with size and color recommendations. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Summer Bait... 

-Strike King 6XD: http://bit.ly/2ery44M

Colors: Chart Sexy Shad, Powder Blue Back Chart

Squarebills... 

-Strike King KVD HC 1.0 Squarebill: http://bit.ly/2Pz3HvE

Colors- The Shizzle, Summer Sexy Shad

-Lucky Craft BDS-3: http://bit.ly/2blTVwI

Colors- Golden Shiner, Ghost Minnow

-Damiki BTC 60: https://bit.ly/35yagXK

Colors- Baby Bow, Threadfin Flash

Deep Cranks... 

-River2Sea Tactical Crank DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Colors- Metallic Shad, Natural Gill

-Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

Colors- See Through Chart, Blue Back Matte Chart, Sexy Ayu

-Norman Deep Little N: http://bit.ly/2acSLUd

Colors- Chart/Blue, Chartreuse Shad, Nutter Shad

Mid Cranks...

-Norman Deep Baby N: http://bit.ly/2O9CAcu

Colors- Chart Blue, Nutter Shad, Sexy Shad

-SPRO Rock Crawler 55: http://bit.ly/2BLmsVN

Colors- Phantom Green, Missouri Craw, MudBug

Hook and Split Ring Upgrades... 

-Owner Hyperwire Size 3 Split Rings: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

-Owner ST-56 Size 4 Trebles: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

-Gamakatsu EWG Size 4 Trebles: http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

Fluorocarbon Crankbait Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR (7'6" MH): http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL 150 XG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Braid Crankbait Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR (7'6" MH): http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL 150 HG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 20 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 12 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Did He Catch A 10 lb Bass?? Spring Crankbait Bass Fishing!!!

Matt caught a monster bass on a crankbait! Crankbaits are a great way to cover water and catch bass in Spring. If you know how to adapt them to changing conditions they're an excellent way to specifically target GIANT bass. Come along as Matt shows cast to catch footage of this big Clearlake bass then explains exactly why he caught it and how you can do the same. 

We began teaching how to use the Tactical DD Crankbait to specifically target big bass back in November. Since that time a TON of big fish have been landed across the country. Not all crankbaits are created equal in cold water but once you understand the differences and how to apply baits with key vibrations to your fishing, your catch rate on bigger bass will increase. 

Landing giant bass on light line isn't just about choosing the right bait, you'll also need the right equipment and a very patient approach to successfully battle a big fish on light tackle. Take your time, stay calm, and your new personal best could be just a cast away. Below is a breakdown of all the gear we used in the video along with some additional baits and gear that we recommend for cold water and prespawn crankbait fishing. 

Keep in mind that many of the Tactical Crankbait colors are currently sold out. It will be a bit longer before all the colors are back in stock so you may want to try some of the colors currently in stock or backorder a specific color so you're in the front of the line once they're back in stock.

Matt's Exact Equipment... 

Bait- Tactical DD Crankbait 75 (DD Minnow): http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR (7'6" MH): http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL 150 XG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Net- Frabill Knotless Conservation 9512: http://bit.ly/2FNdnQr

Other Great Crankbaits For This Technique... 

-Megabass Deep Six: http://bit.ly/2A3clKP

-Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

-Spro RK Crawler 55: http://bit.ly/2NFPA5t

-6th Sense Curve 55: http://bit.ly/37hZ1TD

Budget Cranking Combo... 

Rod- Fury 7' Medium Heavy Cranking: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano SLX HG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G