is the most important factor, followed then by fishing pressure,” he said.
In ultra-clear water, Miles opts for a silent crankbait that has a shiny finish because he wants the fish to see the movement and flash. In dirtier water, he finds it best to start with a rattling version and more opaque colors.
Miles claimed more times than not, he will start with a rattling crankbait until the fish tell him otherwise. The only time he starts with a silent version is in clear water. In highly pressured locations, he may also go with a silent version. “Often, when I am imitating crawfish, even in clearer water, I will use a rattling version almost exclusively,” he said. “In situations where I have thoroughly fished an area with one type, I will switch to the other to try to get a few more bites.”
GETTING ATTENTION
Bass are highly curious creatures and sound is one of the biggest factors that intrigue this curiosity. Miles explained, “I’m not convinced that any rattles truly imitate the sounds that natural forage make; however, rattles are a highly effective way to draw a fish’s
Photo by Jason Stemple
attention to a lure and then the action, color and profile of the bait do the rest.”
He tends to use more rattling crankbaits than silent for this very reason. When fishing a rattling crankbait keep in mind, you want to get the fish curious in your bait, so they need to hear it. For this, Miles recommended using a faster retrieve.
This also only gives the fish a split second to react; hence a reaction bite.
Bass tend to rely on one sense more than another in different water clarities. In ultra-clear water they use sight more, which is why a silent crankbait that is flashier and reflects light produces more bites. Highly pressured fish that see an abundance of crankbaits will often times bite a silent version, even in stained water, more than a rattling one. “Silent crankbaits can also be an excellent way to pick off a
few more fish out of a school that was previously
eating rattling versions,” advised Miles.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I asked Miles what his
favorite
crankbaits
and
versions
were.
“Though
I don’t
work
12 ®