Using Squarebill Crankbaits to Catch Fall Bass

Even though air and water temperatures cool quickly, bass fishing starts to heat up in the fall. These changes trigger bass to start aggressively feeding up for winter and will strike reaction baits worked around their prime fall haunts. 

One of the best lures to use during this transitional season is a squarebill crankbait. 

Here's how to use this effective lure to catch more fall bass:

Choose Your Squarebill: Squarebill crankbaits feature a square lip that gives them an erratic darting action ideal for triggering reaction bites. Pick a model that dives down to 2-8 feet to target bass relating to cover and structure. Standard squarebills are about 2 inches long, but going bigger with a 2.5-3 inch version can be even more effective on big fall bass. Opt for shad, perch or crawfish patterns in natural colors to match local forage.

Target Shallow Cover: Focus your squarebill retrieves around shallow cover that bass are using as ambush points to attack prey. Target areas with cover types like laydowns, rocks, stumps, dock pilings, and grass edges in depths from 2 to 8 feet. The squarebill's wobbling action will grab the attention of bass hiding around shallow cover.

Work the Crankbait Properly: It's essential that you work the squarebill crankbait at the right speed and retrieve cadence to trigger aggressive strikes. Use a medium-fast 6.3:1 reel and keep the rod tip down for maximum diving depth. Crank the lure as fast as you can while still bouncing off cover and keeping it near the bottom. Try using a stop and go retrieve to make the bait kick off to the side and dart erratically.

Experiment with Different Retrieves: One of the best things about a squarebill is you can vary your retrieve to appeal to how active the bass are. Burn it steadily back on a straight line for aggressive fish. Kill the lure and let it float up when the crankbait hits something for a deadstick pause. Pop your rod tip during the retrieve to make the bait slash and dance. Experiment until you find what triggers the bass that day.

Take a few minutes and watch as the folks from Lurenet demonstrate some of the finer points for catching fall bass around shallow cover with a squarebill...