How to Catch Bass on Crankbaits | Spring Transition

Bass fishing legend Kevin VanDam recently delivered this unique spring Damiki rigging video and followed up with this informative crankbait piece in another prespawn scenario. KVD explains how to target prespawn bass on highland reservoirs by finding and targeting bottom composition changes with crankbaits. While the process sounds easy, there's some nuance that requires your eyes to observe the shorelines and fish finders to see what's below the surface.
TACKLE AND GEAR
• CRANKBAIT - Strike King Pro Model 3XD Crankbaits, color - Baby Carp: wired2.fish/St...
• HOOKS - Mustad KVD Elite Series Short Triple Grip 4: wired2.fish/3E...
• ROD - Lew's KVD Composite Cranking Cast Rod 7' Medium: wired2.fish/3J...
• REEL - Lew's KVD LFS Casting Reel, 6.2:1: wired2.fish/3x...
• LINE - Bass Pro Shops XPS KVD Signature Series 100% Fluorocarbon Fishing Line, 12-pound: wired2.fish/BP...
Bottom changes, where different rock types meet, are prime locations to find bass consolidations as they make their initial push into shallower water. KVD explains what to look for on the shore with your naked eye and how to find "sleeper" underwater transitions using contour mapping in conjunction with 360 sonar. While a range of baits work, he favors using compact, mid-depth crankbaits in hues of crawfish-imitating browns and red during this timeframe. Crankbaits can't be beat for covering water and triggering bites.
FISH FINDERS
• LIVE SONAR - Humminbird MEGA Live Imaging: wired2.fish/Hu...
• 360 SONAR - Humminbird MEGA 360: wired2.fish/Hu...
• BOW GRAPHS - Humminbird HELIX 12 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G4N: wired2.fish/HE...
• TROLLING MOTOR - Minn Kota Ultrex: wired2.fish/Mi...
• MAPPING - Humminbird LakeMaster PLUS, Great Plains V1: wired2.fish/La...
• Hydrowave H2 Kevin VanDam Electronic Feeding Stimulator: wired2.fish/Hy...
• SIDE GRAPH MOUNT - T-H Marine KVD Kong Electronics Mount: wired2.fish/TH...
• CENTER GRAPH MOUNT - T-H Marine Kong Wave Tamer: wired2.fish/TH...
To speed finding prime spots, KVD uses contour coloring (depth highlight) to help quickly identify likely areas on the map, with steep to flat contour transitions being prime. Humminbird's MEGA 360 adds information by revealing structure and cover elements that lay on top of the contours. KVD then lines up high-percentage casts that keep his bait in the strike window the longest. He favors wind-blown shorelines for this pattern, as the wind cuts down on light penetration, creates current, and makes the fish less spooky and more active while enhancing casting distance.
Lastly, KVD discusses the importance of using a crankbait-optimized rod setup built around a moderate speed 6.2:1 reel affixed to a composite cranking rod. While the slower action rod helps hook and keep bass buttoned, perhaps, more importantly, the rod and reel combo is optimized to feel the bait and get the most action out of it.
MISC. BOAT AND ACCESSORIES
• ENGINE - Mercury 250hp Pro XS FourStroke: wired2.fish/Me...
• ENGINE COVER - Mercury ProXS 200-250 4-Stroke Vented Motor Cover: wired2.fish/Me...
• TRUCK - 2022 Toyota Tundra: wired2.fish/To...
• T-H Marine G-Force Eliminator Prop Nut: wired2.fish/TH...
• T-H Marine G-Force Trolling Motor Handle, color - Red: wired2.fish/TH...
• SHALLOW WATER ANCHOR - Minn Kota Raptor Shallow Water Anchor, 10 ft: wired2.fish/Mi...
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[@citydogpack]

My god I would be losing my mind if I caught a 7 pounder

[@docgillygun9531]

Just when you think you have enough crankbaits this happens. But, I'm okay with that. 😁

[@robertlane370]

3XD isn't new. It's been around a long time.

[@LowBrowFishing]

Someone goofed at Academy yesterday and I got baits for next to nothing. I got a couple of KVD 1.5s for $2 and a 5 XD and 6XD for $1.65. Heck, I got a bunch of Thunder Crickets for $3.50 a piece. That will never happen to me again as long as I live, lol.

[@metalangler4477]

I had that happen with gas a long time ago. It was supposed to be 2.90, but they forgot a digit and I got charged $0.29 a gallon.

[@blackbuck4real]

I love when KVD shows us great things!

[@bassboxingoutdoors]

Who better to learn from than the best

[@Wired2Fish]

He's just so great to listen to!

[@Jay-xt2nz]

Best crank bait fishermen ever!!

[@blongyang5547]

GOAT

[@docgillygun9531]

Rick Clunn and David Fritts are the OG crankers.

[@krispyk.1786]

Dr Crankenstein 😎😎😎

[@NismoS13240sx1]

Call that bass twoface

[@michaeliovine2462]

Another classic Kvd thanks for the education

[@LipRippinJunkie]

Great tips from the legend himself 🤙🔥

[@ernieowens742]

Cool video KVD

[@Wired2Fish]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@slabslayer258]

Baby carp color 3xd , I used different color yesterday crashed a brush pile top got 2 over 5 lbs In 3 cast another 2.62 moved to next one got 6.56 all in less than hour

[@slabslayer258]

I’ve used 3xd all year from spring to now we have I don’t know how many from dink to 5 lbs and more than 10 over 5lbs , and 7 over 6lbs through out the year on 3xd only hope to catch more and more and more

[@ralo4265]

Good stuff KVD! 👀 🎣 👊🏼💯🇺🇸 Thanks for the tips my friend!

[@BradHarris-u1o]

Great info

[@BasslivesmatterLLC]

Da 🐐 great vid kvd

[@jholl7339]

The product plugs are shameless. More like an ad than a fishing how-to video.

[@kyleUT]

He's sadly become like a used car salesman.

[@Usuario-23]

The real goat 🐐 of cranking 🐟👊🏽

[@docgillygun9531]

No argument there.

[@clintwalker7690]

I watch a lot of fishing videos. Texas rigs and crank baits use to tell us what was under water. I love bouncing crank baits off the bottom. Now days, these young kids, fish for a particular fish. I eat fish twice a week, and give fish away. I turn a lot of fish loose. I get aggravated with the tournament folks. Many of them think the tournament is the only thing going on. Everyone else should forget fishing for tournament day. I just go catch fish on a different lake. I agree with Randy. There are too many tournaments.

[@radicalzz8219]

It allows for growth of the sport. Times are changing

[@mmmkay7729]

@@radicalzz8219 why does anyone not directly involved in making money off fishing care about growth of the sport? Growth of the sport is ruining it

[@Mr.Higgs.]

@@mmmkay7729 Are you sure? You should look up conservation laws, funding, and evolution in state laws regarding recreational fishing. There is alot of active fishing competitions that put alot of money and physical effort into bringing in revenue and awareness of fish conservation. The people with those million dollar houses on these lakes control more of what goes on the water than a average joe out fishing a few times. There is alot of legal battles to increase fisheries but the money produced from the other side to make water ways purely recreational boating far surpasses the normal amount of money we could produce to win that argument.

[@mmmkay7729]

@@Mr.Higgs. I can't say I disagree with you. I'm a tournament fisherman and our club is all about protecting resources. I disagree with the OP for the most part however nothing you stated shows me why growing the sport is a good thing? Do you like crowded boat launches and crowded lakes? I like the peace and quite

[@Mr.Higgs.]

@@mmmkay7729 Well you unfortunately miss the physical right we have in America called public land. If that's a bothersome to you then go ahead and buy your own land and own water. I clearly stated what you could look into as proof of a growing sport with sponsorships has brought alot more awareness to conservation than you think. Aftco, Busch, Berkley, Strike King....all fishing related companies that have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars towards fish conservation. At every Elite series event for 3 straight days there are massive groups of volunteers that help clean up the waterways and banks of whatever fishery is being fished for a tournament. They grab big number of trash bags and clean up the waters. Have you done your part?