The Cranky Truth About Crankbaits!
- reelgirlswhofish
- Jun 24
- 3 min read
Your Secret Weapons For Central Florida Bass: Wiggle Rattle, & Reel
"Your bass will be so into these dance moves."
We've got some super important bass fishing intel for you today, right here on this sunny Central Florida lake. No need to get all "cranky" over crankbaits, because we're about to demystify these little wiggling wonders! Look at all these crazy-looking lures – they're like the pop stars of the fishing world, each with its own signature dance moves!
Some are super skinny, some are chunky like a perfectly round watermelon, and some even have ridiculous giant lips sticking out, like those kinds of boys aiming to kiss every bass in the lake. Worse than that, some crankbaits have tiny little BBs inside that rattle and shake, making them sound like a maraca party underwater.
Others are silent, like Ninja tip-toeing out to raid the kitchen when you're supposed to be asleep. You'd think a bass would be like, "Uh, what is that weird, noisy thing?" But nope! Bass in Central Florida are apparently into all sorts of wild "BassFishTok" performances.
Your Bass Mission If You Accept It?
Our mission today is to share how to figure out which crankbait is going to be your viral bass catch without getting all tangled up in your fishing line or your feelings!
Hey newbie bass anglers! We know some of you have contemplated your tackle collection and thought, "Is this a fishing lure or a super fancy earring?" (We did that too!) Well, get ready to decode the secrets of the most rockstar lures in your bass fishing arsenal: Crankbaits!
We’re about to hook you up with intel on these awesome bass-catching machines so you can go from "Uh, what’s that thing?" to Master Bass Angler in no time. Let’s dive in and reel in some real knowledge! Here is a brief bass tutorial on Crankbaits:
First up there Lipped Crankbaits, which have a bill that creates their wobble and determines diving depth. The lip's shape and size – whether square, round, or coffin-shaped – influence how they act and how deep they go.
Then there are Lipless Crankbaits, which, as the name suggests, lack a bill or lips and rely on their shape and internal rattles for action; they sink and can be fished at various depths depending on your retrieve speed. Every crankbait has a designed "Diving Depth," so always check the packaging to pick the right one for your water.
Their Action (Wobble), or side-to-side movement, varies from wide to tight, attracting bass differently based on water temperature and the bass's mood; flat-sided crankbaits usually have a tighter wiggle.
Buoyancy is key: floating models stop retrieve to prevent snags, sinking models fall through the water column, and suspending models stay at specific depths when paused.
Many crankbaits have Sound (Rattlers) to attract bass, but silent versions are also available.
For Color Selection, match the water clarity and what the bass naturally eat (like shad and bluegill); in stained waters, brighter or darker colors can be more effective.
Finally, Retrieve is all about experimenting – a steady retrieve is common, but varying the speed with pauses or twitches can trigger strikes, especially by deflecting the crankbait off cover like rocks and wood.
As for Gear, use a rod with some "give" (often a moderate action) to help prevent ripping hooks out, and remember that thinner line typically allows for a deeper dive.
Reel Girls, now that you're armed with the crankbait lowdown, it's time to put that knowledge to the test! No more scratching your head in the tackle box wondering which "dance move lure" the bass are feeling today.
Go forth, cast with confidence, and make those Central Florida bass wish they'd paid more attention in lure-avoidance class.
Ready to put your newfound crankbait wisdom into action? Grab your gear, hit the water, and tell us - What's the first crankbait move you're going to try to get that bass to boogie?
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