In this action-packed video, host Kobie Koenig demonstrates the power of burning deep-diving crankbaits to find and trigger smallmouth bass. Koenig dives into locating the best rock using his electronics, and his go-to techniques for fishing deep-diving crankbaits to maximize strikes and landing percentages.
FEATURED PRODUCT
- CRANKBAIT – Rapala DT20, color – Pearl Grey Shiner: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- ROD – 13 Fishing Meta Crankbait Casting Rod, 7’4” Cranking – Moderate: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- REEL – 13 Fishing Inception G2 Casting Reel, 6.6:1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- LINE – Sufix Advance Fluorocarbon, 17-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY FOR BETTER RESULTS
Canadian Shield lakes are full of rock, but finding the right rock is essential. Koenig uses side imaging and 360 sonar to find high-percentage boulder areas and transition zones. From there, he scans individual and groupings of rock for active bass. Koenig shows how these technologies allow him to cast precisely and watch fish movements around high-probability zones. While not essential, these tools provide an advantage by revealing an accurate picture of the underwater landscape.
TIPS FOR ATTRACTING BIG SMALLMOUTH BASS
While a crankbait doesn’t make most people’s list as the best smallmouth bass lure, its power is unquestionable around crawfish and rock. These inherently curious fish can’t resist inspecting something moving with speed and an erratic action. Making bottom contact with the crankbait is essential to maximize strikes. In addition, Koenig suggests mixing up the crankbait’s cadence. Fast reeling combined with quick stops creates an erratic motion that draws aggressive responses from smallmouth. Balsa gets the nod here as its high buoyancy quickly rises to clear snags on the pause.
ROD SETUP FOR DEEP-DIVING CRANKBAITS
This tactic is as aggressive as it gets in crankbait fishing. Kobie counters the high line strain using a powerful yet parabolic composite rod to absorb energy. This rod type absorbs initial strikes, keeping fish securely hooked without tearing the bait from their mouths.
ELECTRONICS & BOAT
- FISH FINDERS (bow stack) – Humminbird APEX 13 MEGA SI+ Fishfinder/Chartplotter: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- FISH FINDER (console) – Humminbird APEX 16 CHIRP MEGA SI+: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- 360 SONAR – Humminbird MEGA 360 Imaging: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- LIVE SONAR – Humminbird MEGA Live Imaging Transducer: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- TROLLING MOTOR – Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST, 112lb, 36V, 52″: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- BASS BOAT – Lund 2075 Pro-V Bass XS: Check out at Lund Boats
- MOTOR – Mercury 250hp Pro XS: Check out at Mercury
- BOW MOUNT – Beatdown Outdoors Ultimate Shorty Double Stack Sonar Mount: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- BOW PLATE – Beatdown Outdoors Leveling Plate – Ranger R Boat: Check out at BD Outdoors
