Fall Crankbait Collection: Top Lures for Autumn Fishing
- Search Wide Areas with Crankbaits
- Basic Crankbait
- Adjusting Strength
- Bottom Bouncing Variations
- Cranking Cover
- Cranking Shallow Water
- Cranking Deep Water
- Summary
1. Search Wide Areas with Crankbaits
In the fall, unlike summer, water temperatures become uniform, and the areas comfortable for bass expand, causing them to scatter from shallow to deep, upstream to downstream. In such times, it's considered effective to efficiently search wide areas with moving baits, and among them, crankbaits are indispensable. Rather than targeting surface-oriented bass, focus on those at depths of 1m/3ft or more, or near the bottom. The standard approach is to use crankbaits while leveraging their ability to hold depth, exploring the strike range for that day and location.
Here, we’d like to highlight MEGABASS crankbaits. Since introducing the Z-CRANK in 1987, MEGABASS has released countless crankbaits. At the peak around 2015, they had 37 items, and as of 2024, over 25 are still available. Their lineup allows you to select from a wide range based on detailed diving depths from shallow to deep, and swimming actions from high appealing to subtle presentations. When systematically and strategically searching for scattered bass, rather than just blindly casting, it's wise to first equip yourself with the MEGABASS crankbaits series. Then, add crankbaits from other brands for any elements you feel are lacking.
2. Basic Crankbait
For your first cast to explore bass behavior in a new field, the DEEP-X is optimal. Born in Japan's fishing environment, the DEEP-X is designed to have a subtle action than regular crankbaits. In recent years, even U.S. waters often require fishing in tough conditions, so using the DEEP-X for your first casts allows you to search without overstimulating the bass. It starts swimming immediately after beginning the retrieve and has high snag resistance, so it's perfect for thoroughly combing various types of fields.
3. Adjusting Strength
There may be times when you want to suppress the appeal even more than the DEEP-X, such as in pressured areas. As fall progresses and water temperatures drop, some bass may not feel like chasing overly strong actions. That's when flat-sided crankbaits shine. The top "MEGABASS flat-sided crankbaits" are the FLAP SLAP and FLAP SLAP LBO. Compared to round crankbaits, their hydraulic pressure when retrieved is a notch weaker, attracting bass with the flashing effect of their bodies swaying side to side. The FLAP SLAP has a design with a slightly offset center of gravity, and combined with its irregular motion, it's characterized as a flat-sided with a high hooking ability.
If you're looking for an even subtler action, although the shape is closer to a round type, MEGABASS offers the IXI SHAD series. The tight-pitch rolling action centered on the slender weight flickers with small undulations, and with three types, it covers ranges from ultra-shallow to 3-4m/10-13ft.
Conversely, when you want to attract bass from afar with a strong appeal, such as in murky areas, use a rounded-body crankbait with strong wobbling hydraulic pressure. These swim while emitting a vigorous waving action, and with their strong buoyancy, they can lift bass lurking deep in weeds while avoiding snags. For example, the 3rd Generation GRIFFON is characterized by its round body, which writhes and swims when retrieved. Its streamlined body provides high operability, another good point. We'll discuss the GRIFFON in more detail in the bumping the bottom section below.
If you're seeking even stronger appeal, use the over-sized crankbaits BIG-M. While typical over-sized crankbaits feature a round-type long bill, the BIG-M achieves this in a flat-sided design, reducing retrieval resistance and allowing long retrieves without fatigue. It's a lure you'll want to throw when targeting somewhat lethargic big bass that don't seem eager to chase highly active, hydraulic lures but also don't react to the flashing of regular flat-sides.
4. Bottom Bouncing Variations
An essential standard action that crankbaits excel at is bumping the bottom, used to make bass on the bottom bite. MEGABASS offers two main crankbaits specializing in different bouncing actions: the 3rd Generation GRIFFON with its unpredictable pinball action, and the SUPER-Z which progresses while constantly clinging to the bottom without bouncing up even when contacting it. Let's examine the appropriate situations for each.
Use the 3rd Generation GRIFFON when you've narrowed down the bass's location to some extent, or when the bass are less active and unresponsive. Its pinball irregular action, where it's impossible to predict where it will bounce upon bottom contact, is sure to elicit reactions from bass. As the "3rd Generation" name suggests, this lure has undergone repeated improvements since its release in 1998. The 3rd Generation features a streamlined body structure that provides high operability despite its intense action. Even with a straight retrieve, it exhibits a erratic swimming action, so it's a lure you'll want to use when you need to catch bass purely by triggering reactions.
On the other hand, the SUPER-Z can appeal to bass that are sticking tightly to the bottom with narrow vision and hardly moving, such as when the water is murky or the temperature is low and their activity is sluggish. Even when bumping the bottom, it clings tightly without floating up, allowing it to trace the bottom meticulously. It can constantly stay within the bass's field of view at the height they are adhering to the bottom or structures, without rising above it.
5. Cranking Cover
You'll also need a crankbait that can aggressively crank through cover, assuming that's where the bass are holding. Rather than MEGABASS, we'll recommend Deps' EVOKE as a key crankbait for attacking cover. With its exquisite buoyancy balance, it doesn't impact cover too hard even when making contact, and its floating design allows it to quickly regain posture. Thanks to this, even when hitting wood cover, it suppresses evasive presentation and promptly returns to its swimming trajectory. Its floating characteristic also enables it to pass just above weeds.
6. Cranking Shallow Water
In the fall, you can't ignore the turnover. When a turnover occurs, bass are likely gathering in the shallows where water quality changes less. Check if other baitfish are also congregating as a key indicator. If you find baitfish in the shallows, don't hesitate to cast there.
When you want to quickly search expansive shallows, throw the S-CRANK. Once it reaches its maximum depth, it draws an S-pattern while exhibiting a tight wobbling action. This allows you to trace an area that would normally take 2-3 casts with a single cast. Plus, with its high snag resistance, you can crank it aggressively through cover. It's available in 1.2m/4ft and 1.5m/5ft diving depths, so choose based on your field.
Also, when you feel the pressure is high in shallow waters, select the KNUCKLE LD. Its coffin lip provides excellent evasiveness against hard bottoms, allowing smooth retrieval while tracing the bottom. At the same time, despite the coffin lip, it has a somewhat subdued rolling action and a silenced weight, making it effective in spots where other anglers tend to gather and conditions become tough.
The previously mentioned SR-X model of the 3rd Generation GRIFFON is also a shallow version with a 1.2m/4ft range, so keep it in mind when aiming for reaction bites.
7. Cranking Deep Water
As late fall arrives and air temperatures drop, some bass quickly move to deeper areas. The SUPER-Z Z3 is compact yet can draw through the 4m/13ft range for long distances. Its rolling action with suppressed wobbling will tempt bass that have lost their appetite due to low water temperatures.
If you feel the SUPER-Z Z3's action is insufficient, deploy the DEEP-SIX. Unlike the SUPER-Z Z3, the DEEP-SIX swims with a distinct wobbling and rolling action. Despite its 6m/20ft diving depth, it has light retrieval resistance and is easy to crank.
When you need to explore even deeper, consider trolling to make it dive, and switch from the MEGABASS series to IMAKATSU's IK-800. It can reach depths of 5.5m/18ft with casting and 8m/26ft with trolling, allowing you to directly target bass that have dropped to the depths.
8. Summary
We've examined how to search for scattered fall bass using crankbaits. Even with just crankbaits, each has its forte and usage. Tracing the bass's whereabouts in a vast field by cranking may seem like a daunting task, but by selecting the right crankbait for the characteristics of the field, you can maximize its effectiveness. MEGABASS crankbaits, in particular, are characterized by each having distinct strengths without overlap, allowing them to handle any situation. Start with the basic DEEP-X, then strategize what else you need for your field and complete your fall tackle box.
Here is an article providing an overview of MEGABASS crankbaits.
