Squarebill Crankbait Tricks You Haven't Tried (But Your Friends Have!)

Want to catch more fish this Fall? Squarebill crankbaits are an awesome way to catch bass as temperatures cool. Which baits? What speed? Are there special colors that get bit more than others? Of course! Come along as we dive in-depth with squarebill crankbaits and cover everything you need to know as you head out on the water to catch Fall bass!

The squarebill crankbait should have a place in every angler's arsenal. Whether you fish on the bank or from a boat it has an innate ability to come through shallow cover and trigger a feed response in lurking bass. Today's video is all about learning how to fine-tune the technique to perfectly match your conditions.

You need to start paying closer attention to speed, adding bite triggers into your retrieve cadence, adjusting diving depth by switching between baits in your arsenal, and which colors get more bites this time of year. You can go down the bank chucking and winding or you can take it to the next level and start triggering BIG bites consistently. Its totally up to you!

Below is a breakdown of all the baits and equipment in the video. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. We've included our favorite baits, colors, hook upgrades when applicable, as well as the exact rods and reels we use. We even included a budget-friendly combo that excels for the price.  

Matt's All-Around Favorite Crankbait... 

Bait- River2Sea Biggie Poppa Squarebill: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Color: Abalone Shad

Tiny/Shallow Squarebills... 

Bait- Spro Baby Fat John 50: http://bit.ly/2V03giW

Favorite Colors: Citrus Nasty, Honey Shad, Matte Shad

Bait- Lucky Craft 0.7, 1.0: https://bit.ly/32PbkGI

Favorite Colors: Golden Shiner, Pearl Threadfin

**50 Runs the shallowest, followed by 0.7, then 1.0**

Silent Squarebills... 

Bait- Lucky Craft 1.5 and 2.5: http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

Favorite Colors: Golden Shiner, American Shad, Gizzard Shad

Bait- 6th Sense Crush Silent 50 and 100: http://bit.ly/2BGUQlS

Favorite Colors: Shad Scales, Shad-Treuse Scales

**1.5 runs shallower than 2.5 and 50 runs shallower than 100**

Rattling Squarebills... 

Bait- River2Sea Biggie: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Favorite Colors: Abalone Shad, T-1000, TS Minnow

Bait- 6th Sense Crush 50 and 100: http://bit.ly/2HbaCGT

Favorite Colors: Shad Scales, Shad Burst, ChromeTreuse Shad

**Smalls runs shallower than Poppa**

Large Squarebills... 

Bait- Lucky Craft BDS 6: http://bit.ly/2sRZby9

Favorite Color: BP Golden Shiner

Bait- 6th Sense Cloud 9 Mini Mag: http://bit.ly/31KGyeC

Favorite Colors: Ghost Shad Scales, Ghost Threadfin Shad, Shad Scales

Hook Upgrades... 

Light Wire Hook- Gamakatsu EWG Treble (Size 2 and 4): http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

Heavy Wire Hook- Owner ST-56 Treble (Size 2 and 4): http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Split Rings- Hyperwire Size 2 or 3: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Favorite All-Around Squarebill Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam 150 XG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 20 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 12 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Mid-Priced Squarebill Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis E6X 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2G5Bc86

Reel- Shimano SLX DC XG: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Budget Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7' Medium Glass: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

Reel- Shimano SLX HG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Ultra-Budget Combo... 

Rod- Denali Ryker 7' Medium heavy: https://bit.ly/31bKfgp

Reel- Daiwa CC 80 HS: http://bit.ly/34ltqP9

Line- Sunline Assassin 15 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

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Squarebill Crankbait Tricks For Spring Bass Fishing

With all the colors, sizes, and sounds, which crankbaits should you fish? Virtually every company in bass fishing makes a squarebill crankbait but they are NOT created equal! Knowing how to use different crankbaits to match conditions will help you catch way more fish this Spring. It's more than just looks so come along as we dive into the details that make all the difference with square bills. 

Tim splits his square bills into several categories. He's got silent baits for pressured conditions and rattling baits for aggressive fish or murky water. He uses bill size (diving depth) to adapt to different water levels, and size to match the baitfish. He keeps color simple, relying on 3 categories (baitfish, crawfish, and bold) to adapt to changing conditions. Where it really gets interesting is his use of different hooks to adapt to the fish he's targeting. 

Below is a breakdown of the baits Tim has the most confidence in. He's also included his favorite colors in each, all of his favorite hooks and terminal tackle. Additionally, he's listed his favorite Crankbait combo and a few other rods at different price points that will help you land more crankbait fish on your next trip. 

Rattling Baits... 

-River2Sea Biggie: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

(Rooster, Abalone Shad, I Know It)

-6th Sense Crush 100: http://bit.ly/2HbaCGT

(Shad Streaker, Shad Scales, Mudbug Red)

-Spro Little John 50: http://bit.ly/2dDfuqt

(Matte Shad, Blood Craw, Rootbeer Chartreuse)

Silent Baits... 

-Lucky Craft 1.5: http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

(American Shad, Crack, Delta Crazy Red Craw)

-Lucky Craft BDS 3: http://bit.ly/2blTVwI

(TO Craw, Chartreuse Shad, Ghost Minnow)

-Megabass S-Crank: http://bit.ly/2dPdTxb

(MB Phantom, Fire Craw, Megabass Sexy Shad)

-Strike King 1.5: http://bit.ly/2Pz3HvE

(Delta Red, Olive Shad, Sexy Ghost Minnow)

Hook and Hardware Upgrades... 

-Owner ST-36: http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw

(Extremely sharp and reliable, excellent all-around hooks)

-Owner ST-35: http://bit.ly/2g8uCMj

(Short shank hooks with 3 hooks positioned specifically for crankbaits)

-Gamakatsu EWG: http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

(Incredible sharp, light wire, tipped in hook points)

-Mustad Short Shank Triple Grip: http://bit.ly/32U3TN1

(Short Shank, tipped points, and offered in Red)

-Owner Hyperwire Split Rings (Size 3 or 4): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Tim's Favorite Squarebill Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline Sniper 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Other Great Crankbait Rods... 

Glass- Shimano Zodias 7' Med Light Glass: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Budget- Dobyns Fury 7' Medium Heavy Crankbait: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Squarebill Storage... 

-Plano Elite Medium Crankbait Organizer: http://bit.ly/2KwA8Kp

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

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Squarebill Crankbait Buyer's Guide - Top Baits For Every Season

The Buyer's Guide continues with a look at this year's best squarebill crankbaits. We start with our favorites and quickly branch into some of the hottest new baits of the year. Whether you're trying to fish ultra shallow, bounce the top of a ledge, or just gain confidence in shallow cranks, this video will help you simplify your fishing.

The purpose of the buyer's guide series is to make it easier for you and your loved ones to shop this holiday season. We keep these videos simple and focus on key baits that work from coast to coast. With all of the new crankbaits hitting the market every year its difficult for the average angler to keep up with the trends.

Below is a breakdown of our top confidence baits. We'll follow that up with a handful of new offerings that are worth checking and then wrap it up with our rods, reel, and terminal tackle selections.

Top Baits...

Lucky Craft 1.5 and 2.5 Squarebill: http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

Top colors: American Shad, Citrus Citrus, Gizzard Shad

River2Sea Biggie Poppa: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Top Colors: Cold Blooded, Abalone Shad, Gizzard Shad, TS Minnow

6th Sense Crush Squarebill: http://bit.ly/2HbaCGT

Top Colors: 4K Shad, Bluegill Fire, Chrome Treuse Shad, Shad Scales

Lucky Craft Classical Leader: http://bit.ly/2zKkhlV

Top Colors: Ayu, Craw, Wakasagi

Lucky Craft Moonsault: http://bit.ly/2SGSMk2

Top Colors: Aurora Ghost Black, Ghost Minnow, Striped Shad, Wakasagi

Megabass Sonic Side: http://bit.ly/2PxtPWo

Top Colors: MB Gizzard, PM Ghost Shiner, Secret Gill

Teckel Drunker: http://bit.ly/2xryClV

Top Colors: Molting Craw, Phantom Green Craw, Phantom Red Craw

Strike King 1.5: http://bit.ly/2LlCEQX

Top Colors: Clear Water Minnow, Sexy Shad, Summer Sexy Shad

Hook and Split Ring Upgrades...

Owner ST-56 Treble (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Gamakatsu EWG Treble (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2DCOlmV

Owner Hyperwire Size 3 Split Rings: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Favorite Squarebill Combo...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Curado 150 DC HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- Assassin Fluorocarbon 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Other Budget Friendly Squarebill Rods...

G Loomis E6X 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2G5Bc86

Dobyns Fury 7' Medium Heavy Cranking: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Shimano Curado 7' Medium Crankbait: http://bit.ly/2E9gktQ

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Which SquareBill Crankbaits Are Worth The Money? | Holiday Buyer's Guide

Wondering which Crankbaits to try? The Squarebill crankbaits in this video are PROVEN fish catchers! From silent to extra loud rattles, we've got you covered. 

Squarebill crankbaits allow anglers to draw aggressive reaction strikes in ultra-shallow water. They draw bites even when bass are lethargic but shine when baitfish move shallow and the bass become active. By choosing baits that reach a variety of diving depths you can effectively fish the water column very quickly. 

We keep colors extremely simple. We typically buy a "ghost" color, a "white" color, a red/"Craw" color and a "reflective" color in each bait that we want to try. 

The Baits...
Strike King 1.5: http://bit.ly/2gxITSN
Speed Trap: http://bit.ly/2fyC098
Lucky Craft BDS: http://bit.ly/2blTVwI
Lucky Craft RTO: http://bit.ly/2dj4myf
Lucky Craft 1.5: http://bit.ly/2vmq67T
River2Sea Biggie: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo
Jackall Aska: http://bit.ly/2duancx
Spro Little John: http://bit.ly/2dDfuqt
Megabass S-Crank: http://bit.ly/2dPdTxb

Hardware Upgrades for Squarebills...
Owner Hyperwire Split Rings: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX
Matt's Preferred Hook Upgrade: http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY
Tim's Preferred Hook Upgrade: http://bit.ly/2g8uCMj
BIG FISH Hook Upgrade: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW
Hook Protectors: http://bit.ly/2lj89Ui

Tim's Squarebill Setup...
Rod- Megabass Flat Side Special: http://bit.ly/2sssatO
Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB
Line- 20 lb Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader- Sunline fluoro 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Matt's Squarebill Setup...
Rod- G Loomis 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2giKvEy
Reel- Curado 70 8:1 Ratio: http://bit.ly/2apmDJt
Line- 12 lb Sunline Fluoro: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Budget Crankbait Setup...
Rod- Dobyns Fury 7' Med/Hvy Crankbait: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV
Reel- Casitas 150: http://bit.ly/2geKxsp
Line- Maxcuatro 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader-12 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

High-End Crankbait Setup...
Rod- Shimano Expride A 7' Med Glass: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL
Reel- Aldebaran 50 7:1 Ratio: http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy
Line- 12 lb Sunline Fluoro: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Crankbait Storage...
Plano Deep Waterproof Box: http://bit.ly/2xjccls
Bass Mafia Deep Waterproof Box: http://bit.ly/2w4i4QJ
________________________________________________________________

Need Apparel? Get Tacticalbassin Gear (Hats, Hoodies, Sunshirts): Email Tacticalbassinapparel@gmail.com for details. 

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