Cranking the Shallows for Early Summer Bass

As the water warms up in the post spawn/early summer, bass start to move back to the edges of shallow flats in search of food.

This is a great time to target them with shallow running crankbaits. Crankbaits are a versatile bait that can be used to cover a lot of water and catch bass in a variety of situations.

Here are a few tips for cranking the shallows for early summer bass:

• Choose the right crankbait. There are many different types of crankbaits available, so it's important to choose one that is the right size and weight for the water you're fishing. For example, since you're fishing in shallow water, you'll want to use a smaller crankbait that runs from 3 to 7-feet that won't get hung up on the bottom.
• Vary your retrieve speed. Bass can be finicky eaters, so it's important to vary your retrieve speed to see what they're biting on. Try fishing the crankbait at a variety of speeds, from slow to fast, to see what produces the most bites.
• Focus on key areas. Bass are often found in specific areas in the shallows, such as points, drop-offs on the outer edges of flats, submerged grass beds and weedlines. Pay attention to these areas when you're fishing and make sure to fish them thoroughly.

Here are a few additional tips for fishing crankbaits in the shallows for early summer bass:

• Use a medium to medium-heavy action rod and a 10 to 12-pound test line. This will give you the power you need to set the hook on bass and pull them out away from cover.
• Use a good quality crankbait that is made of durable material. This will help you avoid losing your baits in the rocks and weeds.
• Be prepared to fish in different weather conditions. Bass can be caught in a variety of weather conditions, so it's important to be prepared to fish in the rain, sun, and wind.

Take a few moments and watch the following video from the folks at Lurenet with their tips on cranking the shallows for early summer bass:

Although the folks from Lurenet discuss fishing the Norman Speed N in this video, any similar style shallow or squarebill crankbait should work as well!