One of the best advice I heard some years ago was "You cannot reel faster than a fish can swim." and I'm always thinking about it. Those crankbait retrieves will for sure be put to good use! Especially the dragging part, feels like the jig will take a break for a little bit hehe..!
@@MattStefanFishing Depends on how badly they want it. If it's hot or cold, if they're full or empty, if there's easier, slower bait around them, if there's not. A fish is no different than any other creature; the more difficult you make it for them, the less likely they are to chase down their food. Just like you don't have to be faster than the chasing bear, you just have to be faster than the slowest man in the group. Your lure doesn't have to be slower than the bass but has to be slower than the bait around it.
@@partner348 Paying attention to what type of bait is around and how energetic/lethargic they are was the best advice anyone ever gave me. But it is certainly still true that the fish can swim faster than you can reel. Can and will are different things though.
@@partner348 No one will ever beat your arguments, however it would be even stronger the way I read it " Just like you don't won't be chasing the beer!"
I'm glad you suggested these were summertime retrieves. I've had some epic size and numbers days, using an incredibly slow and steady retrieve, prespawn. Thanks for the video. Keep up the good work.
I haven’t been fishing yet this year but going to start back soon. I’ve watched a lot of your retrieve videos before but recently have been watching them again to refresh my memory. Can’t wait to get back out fishing again. Thanks for these videos they’re great!
Genius Matt. Ive watched hundreds of fishing videos and ive never seen anyone do those last 2 retrieves. Im a big squarebill fan so cant wait to try these. The bite is finally good here now.
Cranks really turn my crank!! Man I have been a hard core crank bait aficionado for over 30 years and if I could give people advice that’s made me successful is don’t be a sucker and get over fancy paying tons for fancy cranks. My first crank bait ever was a Rapala floating minnow I got in my Easter basket when I was maybe 8 or 9 and that’s where it began and after over 30 years of buying all kinds of every brand for me at the end of the day my confidence baits are simply Rapala right out of the package. Varied retrieves, speed cranking and dredging has landed me some real quality bass! Great vid always appreciate your willingness to share your extensive knowledge!
Man I watched this video and thought there’s no way these methods help that much. Ended up going fishing shortly afterwards and nothing was biting so I threw on a crankbait. I said screw it and tried the 2nd method from this video and landed my personal best on 1st or 2nd cast. (I haven’t caught anything on crankbait this year up until now) Needless to say, I’m subscribing😁
Nailed it Matt. Number two is one I’ve used for lockjaw bass. A DD22 or 6XD In 12-15 feet of water off a current break has been a summer time killer. Thanks for the videos. Godspeed
I am really loving your "retrieves" series. As someone still trying to learn bass fishing and up my game to a new level this is one of the main things I need to learn. Please keep going with this series. I would also like you to put these "retrieve" videos in a "How To Retrieve" playlist because I will be going back and rewatching them until I get the retrieves down. Great job & thanks!
Nice, I’ve been using these 3 techniques for about 8 years, using very expensive baits and gear and I got only 1 fish. At first I thought it was the gear, so I upgraded. Then I thought it was my technique. It probably is, but your showing exactly what I’m doing. And now I think our local fish are either too smart or too scared.
Today was bright and sunny in Kentucky. Nothing was biting in the afternoon. I put on a rattling bait and executed two of your tips... the swoop and pause... and the bottom grind... each netted one largemouth, the second one being a 2 pounder. New subscriber!
I discovered this by trial and error on my first time kayak fishing and using a crankbait. I recognized it will dive when I really crank it - and bass would HIT it immediately. It was thrilling. I’ll def try some of these other techniques!!! Thanks for making this!
Will definitely be using these techniques, need to up my crank bait knowledge and techniques as I don't have much knowledge in that area yet. Thank you for the great hands on tutorial
Thanks Matt. I do those and a couple more. I of my favorites is letting a crank float a little after contact and sweeping the rod hard. Works for me. Good luck on your next tournament.
Quality info Matt! I may have missed this type of info on other channels, but I for one have never seen these specific tips (with an actual demonstration) before. Thanks!
@@MattStefanFishing I go up every year for two weeks mid July. About 5 miles from springstead. I don’t know where your tournaments are next month but if you’re in the area and need a steak and and old fashioned to get those batteries recharged. Don’t hesitate. I live in central Wisconsin. Good luck and cash some checks. 💪🏼💲
Great tips Matt. That second one, I remember David Fritts showing this at a BASS seminar he did at PACE University. near where I live many years ago back in the '90s.
Wow!. Your going to get a hit put on you by other pros dude if you keep this up. This is the juice that separates us regular guys and pros. ALL your videos are straight 🔥 . After watching one of your videos like this I feel like I owe you money lol. Thank you so much for sharing this stuff. For years I've felt like I hit a wall and kept telling myself to just keep going it will eventually click. If I keep casting one day I'll make the cast that breaks the wall down. Truth is though I can only teach myself so much. I can't quite put it into words but THANK YOU for sharing this stuff. This is the little things that changes 13lb bags into 20lb bags. You my friend are helping us regular guys in a way no one else has ever attempted to do. I can't thank you enough.
Great video Matt! I just started to regularly use crank baits and after watching your video a few days ago I did the fast reel, stop, fast reel technique today and caught 3 bass at the end of my morning outing. I would not have caught these had it not been for your video. Tight lines, thanks so much.
I've found that there are two things to consider when making retrieves: 1) Covering the maximum area to find fish 2) Keeping the lure in front of the fish, in the strike zone I really like Senkos, Sluggos, and jerkbaits because I can cast to cover, where the bass are hunting, then twitch the bait, keeping it in the strike zone. Even with a crankbait, like you said in your video, once it's in the strike zone, keep it moving slow.
Lots of fishing channels on UA-cam, but no videos have helped me catch more fish than the ones where you show the proper techniques to use.Thanks for all the info."
Thanks Matt. I was doing the stop start this past year on fish located on flats...catching them good...my partner thought I was crazy...till a couple of the bites nearly tore the rod out of my hand! Another great video!
Funny, that 2nd retrieve (pulling with the rod) I first learned from an ozarks guy...called it "worming a wart". That was how I was told to fish a wiggle wart on Table Rock. Probably my favorite retrieve.
Very helpful! I’ve always maintained you need to check out places at low tide. We have two side canals down out way. At high tide, they are spectacular. Low tide? Lots and lots and lots of mud. They advertise “waterfront” and they are- about half the time. As Gomer Pyle liked to say, “Surprise, surprise!” But this is not limited to surf fishing or buying a lot/house. When you first encounter new water, make sure you go at low tide early on so you know where you can go and where you can’t.
Matt, I appreciate the video a lot. I have tried in the past to remember to vary my retrieve but your video really brought it home today. Especially the first retrieve mentioned. I have often said I think I reel to slow and today prove it to me. After watching your video I loaded up my 3 favorite KVD 1.5's and hit Grand Lake with the mission to "speed crank" Nailed a good limit of fish quickly. Just for extra reinforcement of the skill I purposely slowed to my natural retrieve after catching the 5 and didnt get another bite for an hour. First cast after going back to your "rip/pause" retrieve I nailed another one. Thank you Man, really helped me to grab a new skill today.
Man I really appreciate your tips. I am trying to get into crankbait fishing this year. I honestly always used the steady reel retreave and your right you catch a few here and there but not as often as you would your way I'm definitely gonna give it a try a huge thanks!!
you are absolutely right unless it's full of brush or timber. Feeling the bottom is key plus that pause on the drag creates the strike that they just cant resist hitting it. I caught a nice 7 lb. large mouth and my buddy a double digit.....epic day and we were only there a hour.
Great video!! I've always sucked at using crankbaits; I'll have to give it another shot now! I don't think I've ever used one correctly. Thanks for the tips!
I’ve been using the No. 2 technique for years but I need to keep the tip of the reel parallel to the water or just a little higher because of the weedy waters we have here up north. Using no. 1 I pull back globs of weed on every cast. I’ll definitely have to try no.3 though with my higher reel modification. Thanks great vid.
I watched this video the night before I was going fishing this week,then next morning went fishing,1st cast with a small squarebill (using the rod sweep reel in the slack retrieve) caught 1.5lb largemouth bass.Thank you!
Couple years ago my partner and I fished a tournament on Pool 13 in Savanna IL in late summer and used aggressive snaps winding a squarebill through fallen timber. They absolutely crushed the baits. Great video and tips.
Outstanding tips! I will definitely try these my next time out. Here on Lake Murray, SC I am desperately trying to learn to be more successful with fishing off shore especially during the summer.
I literally love you brother. You have made me and my son better anglers. There are some bass in Ohio that have been caught because of your videos!! Thank you sir
These tips are money. I rode as a marshal on KY Lake in 2009 with both Iaconelli and Skeet Reese, and have used these three retrieves on a crankbait ever since.
I don’t use the grinding technic too much. Forever get hung up. Do you put a smaller sized treble on the front or back to help on not getting snagged so much??
Fishing a local smaller river system that's also really low right now. I don't think I've fished a spot deeper than about 6ft. I really like the dragging technique and I actually started doing it myself without realizing it was something a lot of guys already did. I know a main forage of smallmouth in many bodies is crayfish and so trying to mimic that prey item made sense. I think if I tried that last technique though it'd be a very frustrating day for myself and my wallet without the amount of rock fish I'd catch.
Thank you for the visual training Matt! I am fairly new to bass fishing and am guilty of the straight, slow retrieve. I will be applying some of your teaching this weekend.
Thanks very much,I been doing this my self taught way wish hasn,t yeilded many fish,I am going fishing tomorrow and going to try out your retrieving technics,I will update later,thanks a bunch
I will try these techniques. I just started with crankbaits. Caught a few smallies and a walleye by lifting rod tip then. reeling/ lifting rod tip then reeling...is this not a good technique as it seems to get the bait down. Thanks and subscribed!
Good day. I fish standing on the Nashwaak riverbank here in New Brunswick. The river has good current right now being high. It also tidal water from the Saint John River that flows into the Bay of Fundy. I have used Square bill for river fishing. I only caught one smallmouth last year. I haven't been out fishing yet this year. What are the best colors for river fishing or close to the best color. Red craw color might work well in the Nashwaak River, it might not work well in the Saint John River here in Fredericton
@@MattStefanFishing I will give it a try and thank you. High water keeping me from the riverbank for fishing. I am going Sunday after the river drops some. Next four days will be sunny and warmer
I’m curious. I use the first technique more less in the Michigan lakes we fish in, but the other two techniques seem to be prone to getting the bait stuck in the weeds. I like fishing drop offs around 8-14 feet. Are you using these two techniques in deeper waters or just rockier bottoms? Thanks!
That was so very helpful. I took up fishing and never have had anyone to help me and share knowledge like this with me, so thank you very much for sharing.
I have the best squarebill, so I just need to pump it down initially. As for deep cranks, there are techniques. I use a very effective retrieve much like the pull retrieve. Most of these techniques are a variation of one or two. It's basically a stop-and-go...
Hey Sir👋.... We are from Meghalaya in india is this lure are working in our stream rivers because we Only have fish masheer and Copper masheer.... Did it bait it or not. I want to know bro
@@MattStefanFishing but I have try it's for 6 day bro I got Only 1 fish...... There is alot of fish in river but why they didn't bait this kind of lure and spinner ??? Can you tell us why bro🙏🙏
To me it doesn't seem right to fish a bait with 6 hooks not very sporty for the fish ...However crankbaits obviously work very well... My question for you Sir is what do you think of replacing three of the hooks with a large Colorado Thumper blade and if you think it's okay would you replace the front or back hook ??????????????????? Thanks for all the retrieve videos they are awesome.
Great video don't use crankbaits much don't have confidence in them what lures would you buy to start trying and any special colors if you where going to fish deep water thanks
I run that square bill through timber. I like to bounce it into limbs and as soon as I hit a limb I stop reeling and most my strikes are when the bait is backing off that limb. This technique also works on rocky areas but only with square bills . Another technique is to grind it down fast and then let it float almost to the surface and repeat.
my question is on Crankbaits I was using shallow crank banging off rock's and I was hits but ? it seems bass was not Committing to the lure. so do change out out to different lure or is my rod that's not set the hook good enough?
I know I'm probably missing something important here, but on the sweep and the grinder, wouldn't you be high risk for snagging a rock/stump/cover/plant with the hook of your crank bait and lose a lure?
Oh most certainly. For example, the river system I fish was carved out by glacial melt through some really rocky geology. The dragging technique is great there and mimics crayfish pretty effectively, while still allowing you to feel when you get hung up and pop it off before it gets real good and stuck. The burn and wildly set the hook technique would just result in a big bag of rock fish caught and a sad wallet that day. It all depends on the conditions you're fishing. Also keep in mind these guys can afford to lose a couple crankbaits during a tournament.
This is a great demonstration video and you are right, these do really work! I was fortunate enough to get to know someone who fished tournaments and he told me about stuff like this. Thanks for this great video and I hope that you do well in your upcoming tournament!! :)
What would you suggest if there is a grassy bottom or lots of weeds? I fish in areas with lots of grass and sometimes I deliberately slow down the retrieve on a crankbait (like the one in your video) specifically so it will not get snagged (keep it from hitting bottom). Would you suggest that the crankbait is simply not a good idea or do you have a recommendation for retrieve?
id go with a shallower running crankbait that you can get to run fast over te tops of weeds or switch to a lipless crank. These retreives work great also on the outside edge of deep weedlines.
The rod is a custom rod I built and the reel is an Abu Garcia Revo Winch - www.tacklewarehouse.com/Abu_Garcia_REVO_Winch_Gen_4_Casting_Reel/descpage-WIS.html?from=MSFG
@@MattStefanFishing I made a few custom rods back in the late 60's. It's like night and day when you fine that right blank and then fine the backbone of the blank. I imagine todays blanks are way superior. Those rods were stolen a long time ago and it was like losing a pet. I'm retired now so maybe I'll try my hand again at it again. Thanks. Keep doing all those great videos!
I'm a huge fan of the burn/pause retrieve. I can't tell you how many fish I've caught doing that. It doesn't matter what type of crankbait I'm using, either - lipless all the way to a 10 XD. I think my poor old Abu Garcia Silver Max is about to bite the dust soon because of how much I've done that.
Matt if you’re fishing a lake that’s relatively the same depth except for a few deeper holes, what do the bass do then because I keep hearing the pro’s talking about the bass moving out deep, so I was wondering what they do if the lake is about the same depth everywhere
move offshore and set up on any structure available. a single weed clump, a brushpile, etc. Lots of times they just roam on lakes liek that following bait.
its a fun lure to use. i dont catch much on a crank bait but when i do its always a BIG bass or pike. i caught one of my biggest bass this year in a city fishing spot thats over fished on a dollar store crank bait. i think that the bass was smart and seen some lures before so the cheap odd color dollar store lure he had not seen before lol what iorny...i always like cranks for there control over shitty weedy or rocky water cuz i can control how deep it is with the speed , keeping it from getting snagged. i usely reel it in fast but give it a quick pause here and there a little side too side slow down to let it up
I'm guilty of just cranking it back to the bankside. Thank you for this information. I'll be doing these 3 retrieves from now on ! Subscribed and liked this video . Cant wait to see more ! Thanks and God bless 🙏
Awesome, I naturally do the sweep retrieve so I'm glad it's an actual technique. I get alot of solid strikes, that and burning it and pausing then twitching or sweeping 🧹. Great video
Thank You , Matt !! I really appreciate you showing us those retrieve techniques !! I know that will benefit me greatly , as I love crankbait fishing a lot !!
Thanks for the tips, this comment might get buried but do you recommend a technique for fishing crank bait in the summer where there is a LOT of snags, I'm talking if you touch the bottom there's a 50% chance you will snag. I love crankbaits and the closest good fishing spot for me is full of twigs/tree/debris. (Bonnet Carre Spillway southeast LA)
Try a Wake Bait or trim off the lowest hanging hook off your front treble hook. Go as far as removing the whole front hook and replace the tail treble a smaller treble or single hook
One of the best advice I heard some years ago was "You cannot reel faster than a fish can swim." and I'm always thinking about it.
Those crankbait retrieves will for sure be put to good use! Especially the dragging part, feels like the jig will take a break for a little bit hehe..!
absolutely right. if the fish want it they will be able to get it
@@MattStefanFishing Depends on how badly they want it. If it's hot or cold, if they're full or empty, if there's easier, slower bait around them, if there's not. A fish is no different than any other creature; the more difficult you make it for them, the less likely they are to chase down their food. Just like you don't have to be faster than the chasing bear, you just have to be faster than the slowest man in the group. Your lure doesn't have to be slower than the bass but has to be slower than the bait around it.
@@partner348 Paying attention to what type of bait is around and how energetic/lethargic they are was the best advice anyone ever gave me.
But it is certainly still true that the fish can swim faster than you can reel. Can and will are different things though.
@@partner348 or faster fish don't get a good look at yer bait or have time to think about eatin it they just do its called a reaction bite
@@partner348 No one will ever beat your arguments, however it would be even stronger the way I read it " Just like you don't won't be chasing the beer!"
I'm glad you suggested these were summertime retrieves. I've had some epic size and numbers days, using an incredibly slow and steady retrieve, prespawn. Thanks for the video. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for sharing!
I haven’t been fishing yet this year but going to start back soon. I’ve watched a lot of your retrieve videos before but recently have been watching them again to refresh my memory. Can’t wait to get back out fishing again. Thanks for these videos they’re great!
Awesome
Genius Matt. Ive watched hundreds of fishing videos and ive never seen anyone do those last 2 retrieves. Im a big squarebill fan so cant wait to try these. The bite is finally good here now.
Awesome!
Cranks really turn my crank!! Man I have been a hard core crank bait aficionado for over 30 years and if I could give people advice that’s made me successful is don’t be a sucker and get over fancy paying tons for fancy cranks. My first crank bait ever was a Rapala floating minnow I got in my Easter basket when I was maybe 8 or 9 and that’s where it began and after over 30 years of buying all kinds of every brand for me at the end of the day my confidence baits are simply Rapala right out of the package. Varied retrieves, speed cranking and dredging has landed me some real quality bass! Great vid always appreciate your willingness to share your extensive knowledge!
all very good advice!
Man I watched this video and thought there’s no way these methods help that much. Ended up going fishing shortly afterwards and nothing was biting so I threw on a crankbait. I said screw it and tried the 2nd method from this video and landed my personal best on 1st or 2nd cast. (I haven’t caught anything on crankbait this year up until now) Needless to say, I’m subscribing😁
awesome! glad to hear they worked for you!
What did you catch?!
@@RiPP2_The_Core A 2lb or so largemouth. (I don’t catch big fish🤣)
Nailed it Matt. Number two is one I’ve used for lockjaw bass. A DD22 or 6XD In 12-15 feet of water off a current break has been a summer time killer.
Thanks for the videos.
Godspeed
Thanks for sharing!
I am really loving your "retrieves" series. As someone still trying to learn bass fishing and up my game to a new level this is one of the main things I need to learn. Please keep going with this series. I would also like you to put these "retrieve" videos in a "How To Retrieve" playlist because I will be going back and rewatching them until I get the retrieves down. Great job & thanks!
Glad you like them!
@@MattStefanFishing If I was going to fish for reaction strike I would definitely use a spinner
Nice, I’ve been using these 3 techniques for about 8 years, using very expensive baits and gear and I got only 1 fish. At first I thought it was the gear, so I upgraded. Then I thought it was my technique. It probably is, but your showing exactly what I’m doing. And now I think our local fish are either too smart or too scared.
Id say the location needs to be changed
Today was bright and sunny in Kentucky. Nothing was biting in the afternoon. I put on a rattling bait and executed two of your tips... the swoop and pause... and the bottom grind... each netted one largemouth, the second one being a 2 pounder. New subscriber!
I live in KY also. Near cave Run Lake
I discovered this by trial and error on my first time kayak fishing and using a crankbait. I recognized it will dive when I really crank it - and bass would HIT it immediately. It was thrilling. I’ll def try some of these other techniques!!! Thanks for making this!
awesome!
Some of the best content for bass fishing on UA-cam. Thanks for making a awesome channel
I appreciate that!
Will definitely be using these techniques, need to up my crank bait knowledge and techniques as I don't have much knowledge in that area yet. Thank you for the great hands on tutorial
you bet!
Thanks Matt. I do those and a couple more. I of my favorites is letting a crank float a little after contact and sweeping the rod hard. Works for me. Good luck on your next tournament.
Great tip!
Quality info Matt! I may have missed this type of info on other channels, but I for one have never seen these specific tips (with an actual demonstration) before. Thanks!
you bet!
@@MattStefanFishing I go up every year for two weeks mid July. About 5 miles from springstead. I don’t know where your tournaments are next month but if you’re in the area and need a steak and and old fashioned to get those batteries recharged. Don’t hesitate. I live in central Wisconsin. Good luck and cash some checks. 💪🏼💲
Great tips Matt. That second one, I remember David Fritts showing this at a BASS seminar he did at PACE University. near where I live many years ago back in the '90s.
Awesome! He’s a master!
@@MattStefanFishing True but your not to shabby yourself! You always give us solid tips and tricks. One of the top 5 UA-cam channels.
Wow!. Your going to get a hit put on you by other pros dude if you keep this up. This is the juice that separates us regular guys and pros. ALL your videos are straight 🔥 . After watching one of your videos like this I feel like I owe you money lol. Thank you so much for sharing this stuff. For years I've felt like I hit a wall and kept telling myself to just keep going it will eventually click. If I keep casting one day I'll make the cast that breaks the wall down. Truth is though I can only teach myself so much. I can't quite put it into words but THANK YOU for sharing this stuff. This is the little things that changes 13lb bags into 20lb bags. You my friend are helping us regular guys in a way no one else has ever attempted to do. I can't thank you enough.
thanks so much for the support. just happy to be sharing my experience
Great video Matt! I just started to regularly use crank baits and after watching your video a few days ago I did the fast reel, stop, fast reel technique today and caught 3 bass at the end of my morning outing. I would not have caught these had it not been for your video. Tight lines, thanks so much.
thanks for watching
I've found that there are two things to consider when making retrieves:
1) Covering the maximum area to find fish
2) Keeping the lure in front of the fish, in the strike zone
I really like Senkos, Sluggos, and jerkbaits because I can cast to cover, where the bass are hunting, then twitch the bait, keeping it in the strike zone. Even with a crankbait, like you said in your video, once it's in the strike zone, keep it moving slow.
thanks for sharing!
Keep them coming Matt, I love the visual training. Thank you.
More to come!
@@MattStefanFishing I'm about to go where their ass out!!
Lots of fishing channels on UA-cam, but no videos have helped me catch more fish than the ones where you show the proper techniques to use.Thanks for all the info."
Wow, thanks!
Thanks Matt. I was doing the stop start this past year on fish located on flats...catching them good...my partner thought I was crazy...till a couple of the bites nearly tore the rod out of my hand! Another great video!
They hit it so hard!
Funny, that 2nd retrieve (pulling with the rod) I first learned from an ozarks guy...called it "worming a wart". That was how I was told to fish a wiggle wart on Table Rock. Probably my favorite retrieve.
Very cool!
Very helpful! I’ve always maintained you need to check out places at low tide. We have two side canals down out way. At high tide, they are spectacular. Low tide? Lots and lots and lots of mud. They advertise “waterfront” and they are- about half the time. As Gomer Pyle liked to say, “Surprise, surprise!” But this is not limited to surf fishing or buying a lot/house. When you first encounter new water, make sure you go at low tide early on so you know where you can go and where you can’t.
good tips! thanks for sharing!
Matt,
I appreciate the video a lot. I have tried in the past to remember to vary my retrieve but your video really brought it home today. Especially the first retrieve mentioned. I have often said I think I reel to slow and today prove it to me. After watching your video I loaded up my 3 favorite KVD 1.5's and hit Grand Lake with the mission to "speed crank" Nailed a good limit of fish quickly. Just for extra reinforcement of the skill I purposely slowed to my natural retrieve after catching the 5 and didnt get another bite for an hour. First cast after going back to your "rip/pause" retrieve I nailed another one. Thank you Man, really helped me to grab a new skill today.
Thats fantastic! it really makes a difference!
Man I really appreciate your tips. I am trying to get into crankbait fishing this year. I honestly always used the steady reel retreave and your right you catch a few here and there but not as often as you would your way I'm definitely gonna give it a try a huge thanks!!
thanks for the support!
you are absolutely right unless it's full of brush or timber. Feeling the bottom is key plus that pause on the drag creates the strike that they just cant resist hitting it. I caught a nice 7 lb. large mouth and my buddy a double digit.....epic day and we were only there a hour.
An hour!!! thats good fishing!
Great video!! I've always sucked at using crankbaits; I'll have to give it another shot now! I don't think I've ever used one correctly. Thanks for the tips!
Give them another try!
I’ve been using the No. 2 technique for years but I need to keep the tip of the reel parallel to the water or just a little higher because of the weedy waters we have here up north. Using no. 1 I pull back globs of weed on every cast. I’ll definitely have to try no.3 though with my higher reel modification. Thanks great vid.
thanks for watching!
I watched this video the night before I was going fishing this week,then next morning went fishing,1st cast with a small squarebill (using the rod sweep reel in the slack retrieve) caught 1.5lb largemouth bass.Thank you!
That is awesome!
Couple years ago my partner and I fished a tournament on Pool 13 in Savanna IL in late summer and used aggressive snaps winding a squarebill through fallen timber. They absolutely crushed the baits. Great video and tips.
Very cool!
Best cranking instructional video, EVER! Keep 'em coming!
Thanks, will do!
Outstanding tips! I will definitely try these my next time out. Here on Lake Murray, SC I am desperately trying to learn to be more successful with fishing off shore especially during the summer.
Good luck!
I literally love you brother. You have made me and my son better anglers. There are some bass in Ohio that have been caught because of your videos!! Thank you sir
That is awesome!
These tips are money. I rode as a marshal on KY Lake in 2009 with both Iaconelli and Skeet Reese, and have used these three retrieves on a crankbait ever since.
The pros are doing it!
Thank you. Very informative. I am one of those 90% anglers. I am gonna check out your other retrieve series.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for this. Crankbaits and me don't get along now I have something to try to see if I can start to get along with crankbaits
these work!
I don’t use the grinding technic too much. Forever get hung up. Do you put a smaller sized treble on the front or back to help on not getting snagged so much??
Occasionally if it’s just no stop snagging. I’ll also caught the front hook of the front treble
Fishing a local smaller river system that's also really low right now. I don't think I've fished a spot deeper than about 6ft. I really like the dragging technique and I actually started doing it myself without realizing it was something a lot of guys already did. I know a main forage of smallmouth in many bodies is crayfish and so trying to mimic that prey item made sense.
I think if I tried that last technique though it'd be a very frustrating day for myself and my wallet without the amount of rock fish I'd catch.
thanks for sharing
Thank you for the visual training Matt! I am fairly new to bass fishing and am guilty of the straight, slow retrieve. I will be applying some of your teaching this weekend.
Give these a try!
Thanks very much,I been doing this my self taught way wish hasn,t yeilded many fish,I am going fishing tomorrow and going to try out your retrieving technics,I will update later,thanks a bunch
best of luck
I will try these techniques. I just started with crankbaits. Caught a few smallies and a walleye by lifting rod tip then. reeling/ lifting rod tip then reeling...is this not a good technique as it seems to get the bait down. Thanks and subscribed!
Good luck!
Thanks for the tips I use an Abu winch I think that slower speed gets me more bites
It allows you to feather it through the structure similar to the sweep retrieve #2
That pause and go works really good in the spring when your fishing prespawn smallies
Smallies love that
BruH
Two videos and I’m a new lifer. Thx brothaH. Having seen thousands of vids…my goodness. .you are as clear as rain.
🌵🧀🎣, from Az. 🤙🎼
Wow! thanks for the positive feedback!
Good day. I fish standing on the Nashwaak riverbank here in New Brunswick. The river has good current right now being high. It also tidal water from the Saint John River that flows into the Bay of Fundy. I have used Square bill for river fishing. I only caught one smallmouth last year. I haven't been out fishing yet this year. What are the best colors for river fishing or close to the best color. Red craw color might work well in the Nashwaak River, it might not work well in the Saint John River here in Fredericton
for smallmoth give chartreuse and blue back a try!
@@MattStefanFishing I will give it a try and thank you. High water keeping me from the riverbank for fishing. I am going Sunday after the river drops some. Next four days will be sunny and warmer
Man what a great series! The dragging retrieve helped me catch my best of the day yesterday
Great to hear!
Thanks!
Thank you!
I love how you explain these retrieves! I will be trying these for sure. How about some walleye vids too please.
Thanks
I’m curious. I use the first technique more less in the Michigan lakes we fish in, but the other two techniques seem to be prone to getting the bait stuck in the weeds. I like fishing drop offs around 8-14 feet. Are you using these two techniques in deeper waters or just rockier bottoms? Thanks!
I use them everywhere in including weedlines
That was so very helpful. I took up fishing and never have had anyone to help me and share knowledge like this with me, so thank you very much for sharing.
Glad it helped!
Great info..thanks for the great info! Definitely going to try them your way. Cranks are definitely my weakest and less confident lure to use.
Once you get confidence in them they become a go to
Would this also work for walleyes? Can you also do a video like this on how to properly jig with different styles?
Yes
I’ll have to try that last one. The burn pause is my go to, especially with a squarebill. Great video!
awesome!
I have the best squarebill, so I just need to pump it down initially. As for deep cranks, there are techniques. I use a very effective retrieve much like the pull retrieve. Most of these techniques are a variation of one or two. It's basically a stop-and-go...
Thanks for sharing
I never did anyone of those techniques. Thank you for showing them to us all.
Give them a try!
Hey Sir👋.... We are from Meghalaya in india is this lure are working in our stream rivers because we Only have fish masheer and Copper masheer.... Did it bait it or not. I want to know bro
Yep
@@MattStefanFishing but I have try it's for 6 day bro I got Only 1 fish...... There is alot of fish in river but why they didn't bait this kind of lure and spinner ??? Can you tell us why bro🙏🙏
To me it doesn't seem right to fish a bait with 6 hooks not very sporty for the fish ...However crankbaits obviously work very well... My question for you Sir is what do you think of replacing three of the hooks with a large Colorado Thumper blade and if you think it's okay would you replace the front or back hook ??????????????????? Thanks for all the retrieve videos they are awesome.
you can do it but it will dramatically change the bait presentation and abilities
Good stuff right there.Going to do some river fishing Sat.shoal bass thanks for the video. Canoe swimming keep them retrieves in memory blank.
I’m still waiting to catch my first shoal bass
Changing the direction of your sweep's can curve the retrieve and generate more strike's. Good video!
agreed!
Great video don't use crankbaits much don't have confidence in them what lures would you buy to start trying and any special colors if you where going to fish deep water thanks
I love the berkley squarebulls, Rapala DT, Strike king 5XD and any colors in a shad color or chartruese/blue back work for me.
@@MattStefanFishing thanks
I’ve ground down a bunch of crank baits at a really stony bottom lake we fish and it works great. Thanks for the tips
nice!
I run that square bill through timber. I like to bounce it into limbs and as soon as I hit a limb I stop reeling and most my strikes are when the bait is backing off that limb. This technique also works on rocky areas but only with square bills . Another technique is to grind it down fast and then let it float almost to the surface and repeat.
yep thats a great tip! I call it the bump n stop! catch a lot doing that!
Crank baits are one of my go to baits, thanks for the different techniques.
Glad you like them!
Great video Matt very helpful! My pb was caught using a RK55 burning and sweeping it in late February!
Nice!!
my question is on Crankbaits
I was using shallow crank banging off rock's and I was hits but ? it seems bass was not Committing to the lure. so do change out out to different lure or is my rod that's not set the hook good enough?
id try same bait in different color first.
Are these possible in grassy areas, or will they only work with cleaner lake/river bottoms?
Yep
MXH is a damn good line. I've used Mudhole for a ton of stuff...including my first build. Great company!
they are top notch!
Just tried these techniques and caught a decent bass on my second cast. Thank you!
Awesome
Do you think sexy shad is a good color ? Alot of anglers don't like it , I've done OK with it for a crank color
i think its a good color
Solid tips for crankbait retrieves. I like that rod you are using in the video.
Thanks! 👍
When you do your 2nd technique, how your treble hooks don't get caught up on the bottom?
It happens
I know I'm probably missing something important here, but on the sweep and the grinder, wouldn't you be high risk for snagging a rock/stump/cover/plant with the hook of your crank bait and lose a lure?
Oh most certainly. For example, the river system I fish was carved out by glacial melt through some really rocky geology. The dragging technique is great there and mimics crayfish pretty effectively, while still allowing you to feel when you get hung up and pop it off before it gets real good and stuck. The burn and wildly set the hook technique would just result in a big bag of rock fish caught and a sad wallet that day. It all depends on the conditions you're fishing. Also keep in mind these guys can afford to lose a couple crankbaits during a tournament.
if your not getting snagged your not fishing where the fish are and creating enough reaction strikes imo just carry a lure retriever with you
@@MattStefanFishing Can't really argue with that. Guess i'll grab a pocket knocker.
Thank you
Will try that here in Florida
Please do!
Love the video caught some bass using the the grinder watched other videos be trying those to thinks for the tips
you bet!
This is a great demonstration video and you are right, these do really work! I was fortunate enough to get to know someone who fished tournaments and he told me about stuff like this. Thanks for this great video and I hope that you do well in your upcoming tournament!! :)
Glad it was helpful!
Yes sir! Rip it as the last resort. If I can't trigger them in the other retrieves trigger the bit with they're reflexes.
agreed
Hey Matt. Have you fished the the turtle flambeau flowage?
yep!
Another good video. I use the first two retrieves but not the last one. Something to try.
Cool, thanks
Greetings from NY!... Saltwater angler transitioning to freshwater and I really like retrieve #3 ...great video !!!
awesome!
What would you suggest if there is a grassy bottom or lots of weeds? I fish in areas with lots of grass and sometimes I deliberately slow down the retrieve on a crankbait (like the one in your video) specifically so it will not get snagged (keep it from hitting bottom). Would you suggest that the crankbait is simply not a good idea or do you have a recommendation for retrieve?
id go with a shallower running crankbait that you can get to run fast over te tops of weeds or switch to a lipless crank. These retreives work great also on the outside edge of deep weedlines.
Awesome, I’m going to give these a try here soon. Thanks for the visual demonstration!
You bet!
I liked watching your hands - it teaches me how you make it happen. Thank you
Glad you enjoy it!
It is guys like this that make fishing a blessing.
Very nice! thanks!
I like that rod and reel combo. Can you let us know what your using. Thanks.
The rod is a custom rod I built and the reel is an Abu Garcia Revo Winch - www.tacklewarehouse.com/Abu_Garcia_REVO_Winch_Gen_4_Casting_Reel/descpage-WIS.html?from=MSFG
@@MattStefanFishing I made a few custom rods back in the late 60's. It's like night and day when you fine that right blank and then fine the backbone of the blank. I imagine todays blanks are way superior. Those rods were stolen a long time ago and it was like losing a pet. I'm retired now so maybe I'll try my hand again at it again. Thanks. Keep doing all those great videos!
would this work with spinning gear aswell? i cannot afford a baitcaster quite yet
yep
I'm a huge fan of the burn/pause retrieve. I can't tell you how many fish I've caught doing that. It doesn't matter what type of crankbait I'm using, either - lipless all the way to a 10 XD. I think my poor old Abu Garcia Silver Max is about to bite the dust soon because of how much I've done that.
it definitely beats up on equipment
Matt if you’re fishing a lake that’s relatively the same depth except for a few deeper holes, what do the bass do then because I keep hearing the pro’s talking about the bass moving out deep, so I was wondering what they do if the lake is about the same depth everywhere
move offshore and set up on any structure available. a single weed clump, a brushpile, etc. Lots of times they just roam on lakes liek that following bait.
hi matt what line do you recommend for crankbaits?
I like 10 lb fluorocarbon
Thanks, Matt! I love videos that show different retrieves!
More to come!
its a fun lure to use. i dont catch much on a crank bait but when i do its always a BIG bass or pike. i caught one of my biggest bass this year in a city fishing spot thats over fished on a dollar store crank bait. i think that the bass was smart and seen some lures before so the cheap odd color dollar store lure he had not seen before lol what iorny...i always like cranks for there control over shitty weedy or rocky water cuz i can control how deep it is with the speed , keeping it from getting snagged. i usely reel it in fast but give it a quick pause here and there a little side too side slow down to let it up
awesome! making the reaction strikes happen!
I'm guilty of just cranking it back to the bankside. Thank you for this information. I'll be doing these 3 retrieves from now on ! Subscribed and liked this video . Cant wait to see more ! Thanks and God bless 🙏
Awesome! thanks so much!
Thank you sir for the 3 tips, crank-baits have become my favorite hard lures.
Glad you like them! Thanks for watching!
Awesome, I naturally do the sweep retrieve so I'm glad it's an actual technique. I get alot of solid strikes, that and burning it and pausing then twitching or sweeping 🧹. Great video
Glad to help!
Thank You , Matt !! I really appreciate you showing us those retrieve techniques !! I know that will benefit me greatly , as I love crankbait fishing a lot !!
glad to help!
Great video! Subscribed, thanks! What lews rod are you using for that squarebill??
Thanks for the sub! Its actually an MHX blank that i custom build
Great video. I do the first 2 retrieves already, but I’m definitely gonna try the third one now. Thanks for the tips Matt.
give it a try!
Got any advice for water that's almost 200 feet deep, I fish an old gravel pit and have no clue how far down the fish are hanging out
they wont go below the thermocline. Id guess 30 ft is max in summer.
Thanks I been struggling to catch any thing in there except the young feisty ones lol,
Great video! Do you like fluorocarbon or copolymer?
fluorocarbon
Thanks for the tips, this comment might get buried but do you recommend a technique for fishing crank bait in the summer where there is a LOT of snags, I'm talking if you touch the bottom there's a 50% chance you will snag. I love crankbaits and the closest good fishing spot for me is full of twigs/tree/debris. (Bonnet Carre Spillway southeast LA)
Try a Wake Bait or trim off the lowest hanging hook off your front treble hook. Go as far as removing the whole front hook and replace the tail treble a smaller treble or single hook
agree with jason cory, trim off the front hook of the front treble hook. here is a video i did on it ua-cam.com/video/PqYqI94Vjh4/v-deo.html