Crankbaits-Diving

I love diving crankbaits and my all time favorite for Florida bass fishing is the original Rapala shadrap in silver with black back. It really imitates the shad forage in many Florida lakes and the balsa wood construction gives the lure a very tight wiggle.

The two sizes I use most are the #7 and #9. I use the #7 when working 6 ft or less in depth or there is a lot of submerged hydrilla in deeper depths that come up to the 5-6 ft level. The #9 is used in deeper water to about 12 ft.

Shadrap Sizes from Top- #9, #8, and 2x #7

In a reed patch or line, the #7 is usually best. Cast parallel to the reeds getting the shadrap as close as possible to bumping the reeds. Also cast to open pockets in the reeds, still trying to stay as close to the reeds as possible without hanging up.

For offshore hydrilla, you can use either size depending on the water depth and how close to the water surface the hydrilla extends. I like to rip the lure through scattered hydrilla or at least tick the top of the submerged hydrilla. Look out as you rip it through because that's when you'll get the most strikes!

For submerged timber, you've got to bump the timber to really get the fish to hit. If you are to far away, you probably will not induce a strike. Buy a good lure retriever or plan on stocking up on a lot of shadraps!

My retrieve varies, but I have found that cranking hard 3 to 4 cranks then a steady retrieve to work the best. If you don't use diving crankbaits for Florida bass fishing, you will be missing out on a lot of "catching".