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Spring 2018
JOHN CREWS
Springtime
Crankbait Secrets
by Scott M. Petersen
page 46
W
hen winter is over, and bass pre-spawn is right
around the corner, what bait do you have tied on
the end of your line? Many fishermen would say stickbaits. Others may opt to
pick a jig-n-pig presentation. I asked that same question to
Bassmaster Elite Series pro John Crews, and he said he leans
more towards a crankbait to catch springtime bass.
Let’s see what is behind Crews answers and get his insight into springtime cranking secrets.
As winter fades and the water temps start to raise, that is the signal to bass fishermen to start paying attention to the bass activity, as the spawn will not be far away.
WATCH THE WATER TEMPS
Crews keeps an eye out for the water temps to hit the high 40’s. That is when the bass will start to stage for the pre-spawn period. Deeper water, steep drop off’s, and far
reaching points will be the first on his list of structure to watch for bass activity.
Part of this search will be with his Raymarine units and mapping, he will look to see if there are areas that he finds interesting and will start his search in these keys areas, trying to locate staging bass.
“When you have good electronics and mapping, some of these areas are very easy to see and spot if they are holding fish, waiting for the shallower waters to warm, so they can move up into pre-spawn locations,” he said.
WORKIN’ THE CRANKBAIT
The first crankbait that Crews turns towards is a SPRO Little Crews Baby DD 60. The DD 60 will dive to 13-feet, so fishing targets in 10-to 2-feet of water will not be a problem.
Crews’ goal is to get this bait down, working the bottom, and when he feels the bait deflect off the cover or rock he stops the bait and lets it sit.