F A L L SP O T S
points, bluff banks, and flats. Here they will suspend, waiting for the right moments to push the bait up onto the structure and put the feed on. All things being equal, areas with nearby deep water access always seem to hold not only more fish, but produce better quality bites.
MIX IT UP
Some anglers regard lipless crankbaits as mere “idiot baits”, simply cast and reel. While there may be a small hint of truth to that school of thought, the larger reality is a lipless crank in the hands of a skilled angler is anything but.
A constant steady retrieve can be very effective. The vibration and sound produced by a rattle bait is an excellent trigger.
Spotted bass are notoriously aggressive and this is especially true in the fall. Let the fish tell you how they want it. Sometimes they want it fast and sometimes they want it really fast.
FALL 2016
When a steady retrieve fails to elicit a reaction, I like to change up the pace. A few quick turns of the reel handle, followed by a pause. A few slow turns, and a few quick turns. Again mix it up until the fish reveal their preference. The variations in cadence will not only change the action, but the sound and vibration of the bait as well. Be alert and expect to get bit on the pause.
Unlike other types of crankbaits, the lipless crank is not limited by running depth. When the
23