The Mighty Square Bill: A Deep Dive into a Bass Fishing Legend
The square bill crankbait stands as a testament to ingenuity in lure design, a testament to its effectiveness lies in its unique shape and action. This seemingly simple lure has revolutionized bass fishing, opening up new avenues for anglers to target these elusive predators in their shallow-water lairs.
Understanding the Square Bill:
At its core, the square bill crankbait differentiates itself from traditional round bill crankbaits through its, well, square bill. This seemingly minor design alteration has profound implications for the lure’s performance.
Strike King KVD . Squarebill Crankbait
Increased Deflection: The square bill, with its sharp corners, allows the lure to deflect off of cover with greater ease. This is crucial when fishing around rocks, stumps, and other underwater obstacles where round bill crankbaits would become snagged.
Erratic Action: The square bill’s unique shape induces a more erratic and unpredictable swimming action. This erratic movement mimics the darting and darting movements of distressed baitfish, triggering aggressive strikes from bass.
Shallow Diving Depth: Square bill crankbaits are typically designed to run at shallower depths compared to their round bill counterparts. This makes them ideal for targeting bass in shallow waters, such as around docks, in weed beds, and along shorelines.
The Art of Fishing with Square Bills:
Fishing with square bill crankbaits requires a nuanced approach.
Retrieve Techniques:
Constant Retrieve: A steady retrieve is often effective, allowing the lure to work its magic and entice strikes.
Stop-and-Go: Incorporating pauses into the retrieve can be highly effective, mimicking the erratic movements of injured baitfish.
Rod Tip Action: Varying the rod tip action can also influence the lure’s action, creating subtle changes in its movement.
Targeting Structure:
Rocks and Boulders: Square bills excel at bouncing off rocks and boulders, triggering strikes from bass lurking in ambush.
Stumps and Laydowns: Carefully maneuvering the lure around stumps and laydowns can entice bass holding tight to these structures.
Weed Beds: Square bills can be fished through light to moderate weed beds, providing an effective way to target bass hiding within the vegetation.
CD Square Bill Crank Bait
Choosing the Right Square Bill:
The lure market offers a wide variety of square bill crankbaits, each with unique characteristics.
Size:
Smaller Sizes: Smaller square bills are ideal for targeting smaller bass or fishing in tight quarters.
Larger Sizes: Larger square bills can be more effective at triggering strikes from larger bass.
Diving Depth:
Shallow Running: Shallow running square bills are designed to run near the surface, making them ideal for targeting bass in shallow water.
Medium Running: Medium running square bills offer a more versatile option, allowing you to target bass at various depths.
Color:
Natural Colors: Natural colors, such as brown, green, and shad patterns, can be effective in clear water conditions.
Bright Colors: Brighter colors, such as chartreuse and red, can be more effective in stained or murky water.
Beyond the Basics:
Gear Selection:
Rods: Medium-action rods with moderate fast tips are ideal for casting and working square bill crankbaits.
Reels: Baitcasting reels with gear ratios between 6:4:1 and 7:1 are well-suited for retrieving square bill crankbaits.
Line: 10- to 15-pound monofilament or fluorocarbon line is a popular choice for fishing with square bill crankbaits.
Covering Water:
Systematic Approach: Methodically covering water is crucial when fishing with square bill crankbaits.
Adjusting Your Approach: Be prepared to adjust your retrieve and presentation based on the conditions and the behavior of the fish.
The Square Bill’s Impact on Bass Fishing:
The introduction of the square bill crankbait has had a profound impact on bass fishing. It has opened up new possibilities for anglers to target bass in shallow-water environments, leading to increased catches and enhanced fishing experiences.
Conclusion:
The square bill crankbait stands as a testament to the ingenuity of lure designers and a testament to its effectiveness in the hands of skilled anglers. By understanding its unique characteristics and mastering the art of fishing with it, anglers can unlock the potential of this versatile lure and experience the thrill of catching more bass.
