Jacob Wheeler's Crankbait Method for Finding Bass on New Lakes

Finding bass fast on grass lakes is a challenge that requires a unique approach. Sonar isn't as effective at marking fish in standing weeds, so pro bass angler Jacob Wheeler (wired2.fish/WheelerFishingYou...) uses crankbaits to comb various depths to develop a pattern quickly. In this tip, Wheeler explains how to choose locations on new lakes and break them apart using crankbaits with different running depths and actions.
TACKLE USED:
● CRANKBAIT - 13 Fishing Jabber Jaw, color - Lucky Charm: wired2.fish/JabberJawCrankbait
● MID-DEPTH CRANKBAIT 1 - Rapala DT-6, color - Live River Shad: wired2.fish/DTSeriesCrankbaits
● MID-DEPTH CRANKBAIT 2 - Rapala DT-10, color - Big Shad: wired2.fish/DTSeriesCrankbaits
● LINE - Sufix Advance Fluorocarbon, 12-pound: wired2.fish/SufixAdvanceFluor...
● ROD - Duckett J. Wheeler Series Casting Rod, 7'2" Med Hvy Composite: wired2.fish/DucketWheelerCast...
● REEL - Duckett Paradigm CRI Casting Reel, 6.3:1: wired2.fish/DuckettCRICasting...
Bass can be notoriously challenging to detect in weeds even with a full suite of fish finder sonar technologies. Wheeler resorts to fishing around fast to establish how bass are positioned in expansive grassy areas. To start, he uses shallow diving crankbaits and progressively works his way deeper, clueing in on bites and bass size structure.
Bass in a grass often suspend, so use crankbaits that run at specific depths to dial where bass are in the water column. Lastly, Wheeler explains the importance of changing up line size (diameter) to refine further bait running depth.

[@glxbe]

Jacob Wheeler and Seth Feider some of the only pros that spend more time teaching than they do selling which is great for people like me trying to actually learn to fish and not sit through a sales pitch

[@ralo4265]

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

[@dennisederer3594]

Excellent presentation. Fishing on side of point, ingenious. Fish more of the existing real estate and catch more of the residents. Thank you.

[@alanreyes29]

Love watching this guy fish

[@DavidMccallister65]

My very favorite bite! Aside from topwater of course but that goes without saying🤣 JDub is the man!

[@hunteryoungblood9472]

Jacob wheeler is such a good teacher

[@johnnyblaze2620]

Great vid. Thanx lil Dickie 👍 You the man!

[@flipper644]

Very informative video! Keep'em coming!!!

[@Wired2Fish]

We're on it, appreciate the comment.

[@Fishin-mission1]

Love the tips. Time to put them to use!

[@Wired2Fish]

Perfect!

[@paulainsworth1151]

Thanks for the great learning experience from this👌👍

[@Wired2Fish]

We're glad you found it helpful Paul. Appreciate your time.

[@jerrylanglois7892]

Good video, jacob. I do the same thing you do, I use trolling to find them, then casting to catch them.

[@AjLynn45thParallelFishing]

Nicely Done ~

[@JoseMartinez-su3xi]

Summer time crankin!!

[@softaildiaries]

All year crankin!!!

[@donmccutchen8666]

Please do more videos like this. Thanks

[@Wired2Fish]

More to come!

[@jorgesfishingadventure]

Nice bass, nice place and good video 👍

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks Jorge!

[@BindeeVangFishing]

Thanks Jacob

[@Wired2Fish]

Right on, thanks for watching.

[@northernbassalliance1442]

You guys should do a night fishing vid

[@Wired2Fish]

Not a bad idea, something we're definitely lacking in. On the list!

[@normanham8566]

I second that suggestion. Thanks in advance. Great stuff!

[@Jerryy8]

Nice

[@DavidMccallister65]

Jdub do you make cast and fish areas even when you haven't marked fish on the graph?

[@Wired2Fish]

For sure, Jake mentions that specifically in this video. Sonar isn't all that great at marking fish when they're buried in the grass so the only way to determine if fish are in the area is to actually fish. Kinda refreshing letting on the graphs from time to time and letting the lures do the fish finding!

[@johngullotta3987]

Guys a genius

[@Wired2Fish]

Some excellent points in this video for sure!

[@BluntTruth7]

Nice vid, what were the rod, reel, and line setups for each crankbait presentation?

[@Wired2Fish]

All the same set-up. Details in the video description!

[@BluntTruth7]

@@Wired2Fish yeah, I saw after submitting this question. Thanks.

[@mattduprau2028]

Is there any advantage of throwing a crankbait vs a bladed jig through these grassy points?

[@Wired2Fish]

Hey Matt, for sure. For starters, sometimes bass just respond better to the action of the bladed jig so it's always worth experimenting with. Also, having a properly weighted bladed jig gives you a whole lot of latitude with depth control. For example, you can work a 1/2 or 3/4-ounce bladed jig from just below the surface to dragging the bottom in 15 to 20 feet of water. You don't have the ability to force a specific depth with a crankbait. Lastly, many bladed jig models come through grass relatively cleanly so that can be a big plus if you're fighting it with a crankbait.

[@6to8john]

Are you casting at the point, across the point, outside of the point?

[@kickingkayakbass8325]

Great video, but what about for the ones who dont have electronics to find edges and drops and under water structure?

[@Wired2Fish]

You just have to feel your way around with the crankbaits. If you're getting hung in the grass repeatedly, switch to a shallower crank or fan cast until you find a clean cast or drop off where the weeds stop.

[@kickingkayakbass8325]

@@Wired2Fish thank you, any recommendations on crank bait rod and reel arsenal

[@lanierkayakbassfishing7950]

covering that water baby

[@commentwars6693]

When did wheeler go over to Team 13?

[@N2theBlue1]

Rapala bought a large stake in them and is one of his major sponsors so that’s why.

[@jamesbarron1202]

I’d like to know what all his electronics cost plus his trolling motor. I bet it’s more than I paid for my 202 Champion.

[@donavonmaddasion341]

close to 90000

[@tablerockkid8237]

@@donavonmaddasion341 for his electronics and trolling motor?

[@donavonmaddasion341]

@@tablerockkid8237 oh sorry I thought you meant for the boat and all. close to 25k for the electronics all the mounts and cables and the trolling motor

[@donavonmaddasion341]

maybe a little more

[@tablerockkid8237]

@@donavonmaddasion341 - no sweat. Figured that. 20-25k is probably pretty close. More than I paid for my boat new. He has already won a lot more than that though so I'm sure he isn't hurting. 😁

[@TheNashvilleJason]

I am a coangler in the BFL and it never ceases to amaze me how many boaters can’t grasp this concept. Aside from the fact that most boaters will catch a fish and then keep moving....facepalm...fish the spot! There could be a school there!

[@jesseboyden3119]

Don't u guys ever think jwheels is actually fishing a jabber jaw lolololol

[@Wired2Fish]

He suuure does! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIHIho2YiLJjirs

[@Offthegridfishing]

Not longer fishing with all those electronics