Where and How to Target Bass With Deep Diving Crankbaits

Large schools of bass live offshore from the post spawn through the fall months, and a deep diving crankbait is one of the best tools to locate and trigger these fish. Professional bass angler Chris Zaldain loves cranking offshore transition areas – largemouth and smallmouth bass stack up where rock and gravel meet grass and a long cast parallel to these areas often triggers the biggest and most aggressive bass in the school.

Chris shares how he retrieves crankbaits in these areas, the importance of boat control and positioning, and the differences in how to trigger largemouth versus smallmouth bass. Chris also discusses the nuances of crankbait design such as weight transfer systems and realistic finishes – the details can have a big impact on success, especially in clear water.