By Tackle Warehouse | Updated September 2023
A powerful tool for catching bass year-round, medium diving crankbaits help anglers cover large chunks of water efficiently, which is invaluable when scouting unfamiliar water or looking for the most productive spot on the lake. The wobbling action of a crankbait provides universal appeal for all species of bass and is highly effective at imitating distressed baitfish, fleeing crustaceans, and other types of bottom-dwelling forage that bass love to feed on. For the this article, we will focus on medium diving crankbaits that dive 5 to 15 ft, providing specific gear recommendations and going over some useful tips and tricks to help you trigger a few more bites.
The forgiving parabolic bend of a moderate, moderate-fast, or regular-action cranking rod provides several key advantages when fishing a medium diving crankbait. This range of rod actions keeps the blank loaded when you are hooked up with a fish, efficiently absorbs headshakes from surging fish, and allows your crankbait to deflect off cover without constantly getting snagged. Most anglers look for a 7' – 7'6" glass, graphite, or composite cranking-specific casting rod to ensure the rod has the proper flex to keep the treble hooks pinned. Medium diving crankbaits typically weigh between 3/8 and 5/8 oz, so when selecting the power of your cranking rod, just be sure the crankbait you want to use falls somewhere in the middle of the rod's lure rating.
A 100- to 200-size baitcasting reel sporting a 6:1 – 7:1 gear ratio will help creep your plug back to the boat, while also providing the versatility to speed up or slow down your retrieve speed to match the mood of the fish. During the colder winter months, fish can become lethargic and less willing to chase, so some anglers will drop down to the 5:1 range to force themselves to really slow down while still being able to maintain consistent winding pressure. If possible, look for a casting reel with large paddle handles when selecting a cranking reel to help better secure your grip throughout the retrieve.
When targeting bass in mid-range depths with medium diving crankbaits, most anglers look for fluorocarbon line in the 10- to 17-lb test range for a variety of reasons. Fluorocarbon sinks naturally to allow your lures to run deeper in the water column, which is essential for crankbaits as they are often most effective when they are deflecting off bottom structure. While fluorocarbon is the number one choice for most anglers, some cranking enthusiasts enjoy the improved sensitivity and zero-stretch of braided line, and others prefer the elasticity offered by monofilament. 12-lb test is a great place to start for almost every scenario, but keep in mind smaller diameter fishing lines help your crankbait dive deeper, while heavier lines will keep the crankbait running higher. In some cases, you may want to go as heavy as 17-lb test when fishing around wood and other types of abrasive cover, or if you need your crankbait to run higher in the water column above submerged vegetation.
Upgrading the stock treble hooks can be beneficial for a lot of crankbaits on the market, and you'll want to routinely inspect them for sharpness and swap out or sharpen any dulled hooks to improve your hook-up ratios. This becomes even more critical when water temperatures drop in the winter, as cold water hardens the mouths of bass making it more difficult to get solid hook penetration. If you find fish suspending in the water column or positioned over submerged grass, try using suspend strips to help your crankbaits "hover" over the vegetation or stay at the desired depth when you pause the retrieve.
Check out our How-To Swap Out Treble Hooks video with Jake for a closer look at the rigging process:
The natural action of a crankbait will get bites with slow and steady retrieves, but just like many hard baits, you'll want to experiment with imparting additional action and varying your cadence to unlock the ideal pattern for any given day. Try popping or sweeping your rod tip while reeling, crawling it over cover slowly, or using a burn-and-pause technique called speed reeling. Sometimes it may be as simple as figuring out the perfect casting angle, so always pay attention to the angle of your cast when you get a bite and try different angles before moving down the bank to the next spot.
The more subtle tight-pitched action of a flat-sided crankbait is often preferred for cold and highly pressured waters, while the wide-wobbling action of round crankbaits is associated with warmer waters and active fish. If you are getting some bites but only hooking fish on the rear treble hook, consider changing up the color before swapping it out with a crankbait that has a different action. Crankbaits are notorious for getting bit when they deflect off cover erratically, and they're also subject to frequent snagging, so never leave the dock without a trusty plug-knocker. It will save you a lot of time, frustration, and money when you get hung up.
Crawfish and baitfish patterns are probably the two most common color styles when it comes to crankbaits, but don't overlook bluegill or sunfish patterns if you suspect they are prevalent in the waters you are fishing. As a general rule of thumb, you'll want to focus on natural and translucent colors in clear waters and switch to solid or more fluorescent colors when the water clarity is poor. Crankbaits with bright chartreuse highlights are a great choice after a heavy rain, as they will help bass locate your plug in stained or extremely dirty waters. Lastly, if the fish aren't reacting better to a change in color, consider switching up acoustics by changing from rattling to silent.
Consistent success with crankbait fishing requires time on the water, but if you apply some of the ideas and basic principles presented in this article, you'll be way ahead of the game the next time you hit the lake. Just remember that medium diving crankbaits provide a lot of opportunities to catch fish throughout the year, and don't forget to play around with your retrieve. You might just have a great day cranking the mid-range depths while everyone else is going deep or shallow!
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