Why Have A Crankbait Setup For Bass?

Case in point, the thin-walled fibreglass blank of Meta-G Crankbait rods makes them incredibly lightweight, sensitive and responsive. Fibreglass construction also allows for Meta-Gs to be crafted with the perfect moderate action required for crankbait fishing. With a Meta-G, anglers are able to launch lightweight balsa crankbaits long distances with incredible accuracy, monitor the bait’s action throughout the retrieve and immediately detect a strike.

Regardless of whether the attack is aggressive or subtle, the Meta-G Crankbait rod’s reactive tip and upper blank bend easily under pressure to ensure the fish gets a mouthful. The fibreglass blank’s moderate action and lower end power allowing the angler to deliver a solid hook-set and then confidently play the fish into the landing net.

Meta-G rods also feature a premium, Japanese split grip EVA handle and Evolve custom reel seat. These ergonomic features help prevent angler fatigue and deliver all-day comfort on long cranking expeditions.

A proper casting reel is vital for fishing crankbaits. Given Swindle’s work ethic, it should come as no surprise he worked with 13 Fishing to design the Inception G2 casting reels specifically for pairing with Meta rods.

The Inception G2 Power Handle model is a technique-specific cranking reel outfitted with a longer 95mm Power Handle and 5.3:1 gear ratio. These two features give the reel more torque, which is important when retrieving a deep-diving crankbait producing a lot of resistance. Using a slower reel speed also encourages a crankbait to perform as it was designed and maximizes the lure’s bass-catching action.

Impeccable casting control in any situation is another mandatory feature in a cranking reel. The Inception SLD achieves this via 13 Fishing’s SLIDE Magnetic Cast Control and advanced Low-Friction 6 way braking system.

Tip: Reels with 6.6:1 and 7.3:1 gear ratios are beneficial for faster cranking tactics, such as speed cranking with squarebills and lipless crankbaits.

Advance Fluorcarbon line is ideal for using with a Meta-G Crankbait rod and Inception G2 crankbait setup. Fluorocarbon has a higher density index than water, meaning it sinks, and gets a diving crankbait reach to its running depth four times faster than traditional nylon line. Fluoro is significantly stiffer (i.e., less stretchy) than traditional nylon lines, which equates to better sensitivity and power transfer. When using a using a moderate action rod with Advance Fluorocarbon, anglers can make long and accurate casts, feel a crankbait’s vibrations, immediately detect when a bass strikes and deliver a quality hook set.

Twelve-pound test is a good all-round choice for cranking. Going lighter is a strategy for getting more depth from a crankbait, while using 14-pound or more results in a more shallow running depth. Heavier fluorocarbon also provides added insurance when cranking around heavy cover. 

Tip: Crankin’ is not a one-size-fits-all approach, so in scenarios when you want to lessen a diving bait’s reach, or prefer more stretch from your fishing line, you can’t go wrong spooling up with Advanced Monofilament.

You’ll need various crankbaits throughout the bass season as certain lures may perform better than others in certain scenarios. Here are some new bass crankbaits and legendary lures worth owning.

The Rocco 5 is THE hottest squarebill crankbait on the market. Diving to five feet and swimming with a moderate wobble, the Rocco is a great all-round choice for shallow bass.

The BX Brat crankbaits are must-haves. The 2” original is available in either a 3- or a 6-foot diver, while the 2-1/2” BX Mid Brat has a 5-foot running depth. The meal-sized BX Big Brat dives to 6 feet.

The Jabber Jaw is a bass essential. Built with an oscillating metal lip that clatters back and forth inside a metal jowl, this 4-foot diver’s unique sonic characteristics and erratic swimming action riles up savage strikes from smallmouth and largemouth. The Jabber Jaw Deep packs all these benefits but dives between 7 and 9 feet.

Depth control is always a priority when cranking, and the DT (Dives-To) Series offers models designed to run at 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 16 feet. DTs dive fast to a preset depth and stay in the strike zone longer than any other crankbait on the market.

Shad Raps are legendary lures and not to be without. When bass are fussy, the non-rattling and tight action of a Shad Rap will make them bite. The size 7, 8 and 9 are especially popular among northern bass anglers.

Don’t forget lipless crankbaits. Bass can’t resist the Rippin’ Rap’s hard vibrating action and loud, distinctive BB rattles. The Rattlin’ Rapala and Rap-V Blade are also good to have.

Proper crankbait storage ensures you get the longest lifespan and best performance from your lures, and the new RapStack 3600 and 3700 Tackle Trays are ideal tools for this task. RapStacks feature heavy-duty construction to protect lures, and customizable dividers to maximize storage capacity and tackle organization.

You’ll also be able to quickly find and get specific crankbaits thanks to the see-through design and a Quick Latch system. RapStack Tackle Trays also come with re-writable labels for easy cataloguing.

Tip: When storing several crankbaits in the same tray compartment, wrapping a small elastic band around each lure’s treble hooks prevents baits from getting tangled.

Fishing crankbaits is best done with a technique-specific rod and reel, the right fishing line for the conditions and a collection of quality lures. Use the right tools for the job and you’re guaranteed to have better results when fishing with these potent hard-baits.