Power Cranking SPRO Rock Crawlers for Cold Water Bass

TACKLE USED
• CRANKBAIT 1 - SPRO Mike McClelland RkCrawler 55 Crankbait, color - Phantom Watermelon: Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/49duNQK
• CRANKBAIT 2 - SPRO Mike McClelland RkCrawler MD 55 Crankbait: Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/3UfGnXp
• CRANKBAIT 3 - SPRO RkCrawler DD50 Crankbait: Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/3SAqZUh
• CRANKBAIT 4 - SPRO Mike McClelland RKCrawler 50 Crankbait: Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/499YX7J
• ROD - Falcon Falcon Cara Casting Rod, 7' Medium-Moderate: Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/3HAayRR
• REEL - Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Platinum Signature Baitcast Reel - Right - Model JPT10HA: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.vzck.net/x9A4dO
• LINE (fluoro) - Sunline Crank FC Fluorocarbon Line, 10- to 12-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.vzck.net/ba9oZk | Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/3OnTZw1
• LINE (mono) - Sunline Super Natural Monofilament, 10- to 12-pound: Buy at Tackle Warehouse: bit.ly/3Ol9Nzz
*Additional links at the bottom.
Bass fishing legend Mike McClelland dives deep into the when, where, and how of crankbait fishing winter bass on highland reservoirs. Although squarely winter when filmed on Table Rock, this content is relevant anytime bass relate to shoreline rock and wood when water temperatures drop into the lower 50s and below. While often consolidated in cold water, you still need to find the bass, and a crankbait is an efficient search bait for combing shoreline stretches, points, and channel swings. Here's how.
FINDING THE RIGHT SPOT
McClelland emphasizes the importance of location when pursuing winter bass. He starts by exploring areas that offer a mix of features - from channel swing banks to transitional areas leading to flatter gravel pockets. This locational flexibility helps you find and pattern bass daily in winter. As McClelland attests, bass remain active in the winter, so productive spots can shift as conditions change; think baitfish, water temperature, and light and weather variation.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CRANKBAIT
A key focus of the video is selecting the best crankbait for varying conditions. McClelland has been a longtime fan of the versatile SPRO RkCrawler lineup for its proven fish-triggering hunting action and ability to snake through cover with minimal fowling. It's also available in various running depths, colors, and even sizes, so you can adjust to the conditions. On this day, McClelland opted for the RkCrawler 55, which nailed the 12- to 14-foot zone the bass were holding. He discusses the significance of matching line size to the desired depth and crankbait action, emphasizing using 10- or 12-pound fluorocarbon or shifting to monofilament when bites are highly tentative.
EFFECTIVE COLD WATER CRANKING
McClelland demonstrates effective crankbait techniques, such as ensuring the bait hits the bottom and adjusting your retrieve to trigger lethargic winter bass. Don't get into the habit of casting and winding without speed changes and making deflections! He also shares observations on fish behavior during winter, noting their tendency to feed on crawfish and the impact of water clarity and light conditions on bait selection -- these factors make color a critical factor, so keep an open mind and constantly experiment.
FISH FINDER & MISC.
• FISH FINDER - Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 126sv Chartplotter/Fish Finder Combo: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.vzck.net/bagQmg
• LIVE SONAR - Garmin LiveScope Plus LVS34 - Livescope + LVS34 System: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.vzck.net/x905Dv
• TROLLING MOTOR - Garmin Force Trolling Motor: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.vzck.net/Aoq3X7
• BOW MOUNTS - BeatDown Outdoors The Ultimate Double Stack: Check out at BD Outdoors bit.ly/46LmTNs
• HOODY - AFTCO Reaper Softshell Pullover Hoodie: Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/49063fH
• BOAT - Ranger Z521R Commanche: Check out at Ranger bit.ly/3uahrGm
SHALLOW WATER ANCHOR - Power-Pole Blade 2.0 Shallow Water Anchor, 10': Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.vzck.net/an2Qeq
• MOTOR - Mercury 250hp Pro XS: Check out at Mercury bit.ly/3PeIhVk
• JACK PLATE - Black ATLAS Series Hydraulic Jack Plate: Buy at T-H Marine bit.ly/49giGCN
• TOW VEHICLE - Toyota Tundra: Check out at Toyota toyota.us/3YzkEd8
#spro24 #aftco24 #beatdown24 #sunline24 #garmin24 #basspro24 #powerpole24 #mercury24
► SUBSCRIBE for more AWESOME FISHING TIPS: wired2.fish/YTSub
FOLLOW US HERE:
► www.wired2fish.com
► / wired2fish_official
► / wired2fish
► / wired2fish

[@douglasspickler4925]

Great video loaded with excellent information. Quality production. I appreciate you listing the products used with links to purchase. Top notch.

[@DanielBoone337]

Great video as always keepem coming guys!!!

[@shawneldridge4465]

🎣 fantastic catch and release, that bass was a great size.

[@Boon-ie1rq]

Every fishing video we can watch about fishing is all about video games now a day. 😢 Rip the days when we were actually fishing.

[@stephenroth72]

How do you keep from breaking bills on the cold water. They seem yo get brittle and break on me constantly, even ising a glass rod and reeling as slow as i can, while still making contact. Gets expensive.

[@Fishboy68]

Greay video thank you,do you always fish cranks with a snap attached to split ring?

[@kellymoore4517]

Yes, use a snap, if your switching colors and depths you can change quickly with no catch problems.

[@ericraleigh7363]

What type of box did he have holding the crainkbaits?? Like how they were separated

[@ericraleigh7363]

Nevermind...just saw

[@johnhodson3200]

What is the storage box is he using? I haven't seen one like that anywhere

[@johnhodson3200]

@@gregc2621 I'm referring to the rock crawler box. I haven't seen one like that

[@Fishboy68]

It said spro box on it if that helps.It looked like a nice box.

[@colinoldfield122]

It’s the fishmore t3 pro, boxes, they are a foam insert for certain boxes, they look sweet!

[@johnhodson3200]

@colinoldfield122 thank you. I was trying to find it. Made my life easy on that info

[@Danyang1]

What’s with the distracting cow bell sound? Can hardly hear what he’s saying.

[@christophershelton1735]

It’s loud isn’t it?

[@Danyang1]

@@gregc2621 could’ve just left the music out in general. That would’ve been better

[@FASHIONEDbyFINESSE]

Yep, there's no need for any music whatsoever during an instructional fishing video.

[@Retrosmack]

For some reason I didnt hear it not til I read this comment half way through the video and now its the only thing I hear 😭😭