Cold Water Killers: How To Fish Flat Sided Crankbaits

Crankbaits flatter than a pancake can be served instantly to hungry bass. Flat-sided crankbaits are so appealing to bass because the lures look and act more natural in cold clear water and hot shallow water or when you are tempting bass on pressured waters. Take a look at bass forage such as minnows or shad and you will notice the baitfish have mostly flat sides so your flat-sided crankbait will look and act more natural than other lures especially if it matches the size and color of the baitfish you are trying to mimic.

A baitfish vibrates back and forth and dips up and down a little bit as it swims, which is the same movements a flat-sided crankbait does when you retrieve it. The flat crankbait also rolls slightly from its belly to its back which is the same swimming action as a baitfish.

Flat Sided Crankbaits: What's With The Wiggle?

The tight wobble from a flat-sided crankbait triggers bites year-round, but they become extra special on pressured lakes or in cold water when bass are less likely to chase aggressive baits.

A flat crankbait can run effectively at various speeds because it moves in a tight wiggle rather than the wider wobble of a round-bodied crankbait. The ability to run at all speeds to catch bass makes the flat-sided crankbait a lure for all seasons. I like to throw a flat crankbait in the clear, cold water of winter and early spring because I can run it at a slow speed and still get plenty of that tight wiggling action, whereas with a round-bodied crankbait I have to reel faster to get more action from the lure.

Catch You On The Flat Side

The Googan Flat Banger in Shot Gun Shad is the perfect minnow or shad imitator.

A flat crankbait like the Googan Squad Flat Banger is also great for fishing the warm stained or murky water of summer and fall because it generates a different vibration than round crankbaits. When the shallows have been pounded by anglers throwing fat square bill crankbaits, I switch to a flat-sided crankbait that I retrieve at high speed to trigger bites from pressured bass.

The Best Rod & Reels For Fishing Flat Sided Crankbaits

When fishing the flat crankbait in cold water I opt for a 7-foot medium action fiberglass rod and a low-speed (5.2:1 gear ratio) baitcasting reel spooled with 8- to 10-pound monofilament line. The low-speed reel prevents me from cranking the lure too fast and the light line allows the crankbait to dive deeper and run with a tight wiggling action.

My tackle for running a flat crankbait in warm water consists of a 7-foot medium-heavy rod and a high-speed (7.1:1 or higher gear ratio) baitcasting reel filled with 17- to 20-pound monofilament line. I favor the heavier rod and line because I am running the lure at high speed and bouncing it off any visible cover to trigger reaction strikes.