Yep. Theres more fisherman that know how to fish. Theres so many tournaments these days even on the small lakes. Weve got to be affecting the fish. Im seeing way more people fishing this winter than i ever have
Totally agree. Some of the tournaments on waters around me up north here are absolutely huge. I'm excited more people are enjoying the sport, but some of the waters I'm sure are getting pounded more than ever before.
The internet, even this video contributes. I remember figuring out so many secrets on my own when people were still tossing a can of worms on zebcos. Now i see kids that are 12 with baitcasters chucking keitechs... it's crazy. Looking at catch data on apps shows there is almost no untouched water in my area. Unless you trespass and even then...
Hope I’m not the only one that Mis-judges the physical size of hard lures in the store? They look soooooo tiny until you actually sit in the boat and tie it on to realize it’s 3x bigger than expected 😂😂
I love your videos: right to the point without excessive talking to total the minutes. I know every video of yours has some worthy content, so I click on them without hesitation. Keep it up, Steve!
Steve. Where on God’s green Earth are you at with a hoodie sweater when the rest of the US in in the Ice Age for the second week of January 2024???😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮
Lol. I filmed this late last fall knowing the Ice Age was coming. We are froze up solid here right now. I will need to do some filming in my studio this week.
Steve - that looks like the IDS Tower in the background...it's fairly distinctive...so based on the islands, I'm guessing that's Lake of the Isles in the opening sequence.
Question about fishing/finding with squrebills. Do you treat these like a standard crankbait where you try to always be on bottom? If so, you are saying to basically stay in 5ft or less water all the time while searching? Or do you fish them in open water too over the tops of fish in deeper water?
That is a tremendous question. If I can bang the squarebills into stuff I do - much like the places I would throw a spinnerbait. But often times I am fishing these in more open areas above weeds, or other types of cover. My favorite is to parallel a shoreline. The fast start-stop will draw fish from quite a distance. Most often I am in less than 10ft of water but have had success working the deep side of structure in clear or slightly stained water and pulling bass up from deeper areas. Much like how a topwater will pull bass from the depths.
My bass fishing buddy got me some JDM tackle for Christmas. He did include some really tiny square bills with some colors I have never seen. I will have one tied on for sure the next time I am able to go out. Great video Steve! Thanks
@@SteveRogersOutdoors when bass are keyed in on the smaller baitfish the smaller square bills will catch the bigger bass much better than the larger square bills. In my experiences.
@@jeffreyrodgers5835 I just got back from Florida Sat night, but, it was my wife's birthday and she wanted a Disney trip. I hope to get back down there very soon!
There was a time I would never throw a squarebill in winter, but I've gotten to where I'm gaining a good bit of confidence in them. I still prefer the silent type over those with rattles, but I'll probably get more courage and start working those as well! Great video, Steve!
It is amazing how versatile that lure is. I was the same way and only used them at specific times of year but there is usually always one on the boat deck now.
Yup, the smallest speedtrap is a killer crank. If you haven't tried it..well...do. I used to throw it on spinning gear with 10# braid (murky water) or 8# flouro.
I never saw a square bill being retrieved so fast and erratic like that underwater, cool ! Hot tip: The Berkley Finisher just came out the other day and it is super erratic ! Also the Berkley Krej just came out the other day, both lures look superb and very unique underwater !
Yea the tournaments are getting ridiculous. There’s not many lakes by me but the ones that are here have tournaments on them every weekend in the spring and fall.
The big thing to take into consideration is the action of the rod. A MH power rated rod is used a lot when throwing cranks, but a moderate or moderately fast action helps with the give that makes landing the bass easier with the give and take with that slower action. The small cranks are often in that 1/4oz range, but with the med heavy a crankbait in that 3/8 is likely going to be a better choice. The 1.5 is 3/8 and the 1.0 is 1/4. If your MH rod is a moderate action it should handle that smaller size well - as long as it is not a super long rod, like 7'6" or greater. Great question.
So glad you didn’t say “just take the easy way out and fire up your FFS.” Thank you for that.
Be well, Steve!
Lol. Have a great day!
I agree
Yep. Theres more fisherman that know how to fish. Theres so many tournaments these days even on the small lakes. Weve got to be affecting the fish. Im seeing way more people fishing this winter than i ever have
Totally agree. Some of the tournaments on waters around me up north here are absolutely huge. I'm excited more people are enjoying the sport, but some of the waters I'm sure are getting pounded more than ever before.
The internet, even this video contributes. I remember figuring out so many secrets on my own when people were still tossing a can of worms on zebcos. Now i see kids that are 12 with baitcasters chucking keitechs... it's crazy. Looking at catch data on apps shows there is almost no untouched water in my area. Unless you trespass and even then...
Hope I’m not the only one that Mis-judges the physical size of hard lures in the store? They look soooooo tiny until you actually sit in the boat and tie it on to realize it’s 3x bigger than expected 😂😂
I love your videos: right to the point without excessive talking to total the minutes.
I know every video of yours has some worthy content, so I click on them without hesitation. Keep it up, Steve!
Thanks so much! I sure will.
Steve. Where on God’s green Earth are you at with a hoodie sweater when the rest of the US in in the Ice Age for the second week of January 2024???😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮
Lol. I filmed this late last fall knowing the Ice Age was coming. We are froze up solid here right now. I will need to do some filming in my studio this week.
Steve - that looks like the IDS Tower in the background...it's fairly distinctive...so based on the islands, I'm guessing that's Lake of the Isles in the opening sequence.
👍
Great tip!!! Thanks for the great suggestion!! Stay Safe & God Bless!!!!
And thanks so much for watching!
Question about fishing/finding with squrebills. Do you treat these like a standard crankbait where you try to always be on bottom? If so, you are saying to basically stay in 5ft or less water all the time while searching? Or do you fish them in open water too over the tops of fish in deeper water?
That is a tremendous question. If I can bang the squarebills into stuff I do - much like the places I would throw a spinnerbait. But often times I am fishing these in more open areas above weeds, or other types of cover. My favorite is to parallel a shoreline. The fast start-stop will draw fish from quite a distance. Most often I am in less than 10ft of water but have had success working the deep side of structure in clear or slightly stained water and pulling bass up from deeper areas. Much like how a topwater will pull bass from the depths.
My bass fishing buddy got me some JDM tackle for Christmas. He did include some really tiny square bills with some colors I have never seen. I will have one tied on for sure the next time I am able to go out. Great video Steve! Thanks
Good luck! That first bite is coming.
Hard to bear the smaller big 0s for this. The Cr77 is money America
Those are some great lures!
@@SteveRogersOutdoors when bass are keyed in on the smaller baitfish the smaller square bills will catch the bigger bass much better than the larger square bills. In my experiences.
Thank you for putting these tips together.
You are so welcome!
This is true smaller square bill is killer.
It has been so crucial in finding fish for me. And such a fun way to catch them. Thanks for watching!
Hey, Steve, great to see ya. Hope you are well. Man it is getting cold in Alabama. Be safe
This weather is nuts. Been -30 windchill here. Needless to say the water got hard real fast. Lol. Stay warm down there!
The water hard you say. Never seen ice in central Florida. Maybe you should be a snowbird and fly south
@@jeffreyrodgers5835 I just got back from Florida Sat night, but, it was my wife's birthday and she wanted a Disney trip. I hope to get back down there very soon!
It's gonna be 19 on Wednesday morning where I am in northwest Florida. I'm taken off work and going 🦌 hunting.
There was a time I would never throw a squarebill in winter, but I've gotten to where I'm gaining a good bit of confidence in them. I still prefer the silent type over those with rattles, but I'll probably get more courage and start working those as well! Great video, Steve!
It is amazing how versatile that lure is. I was the same way and only used them at specific times of year but there is usually always one on the boat deck now.
Yup, the smallest speedtrap is a killer crank. If you haven't tried it..well...do. I used to throw it on spinning gear with 10# braid (murky water) or 8# flouro.
I will! Thanks!
I never saw a square bill being retrieved so fast and erratic like that underwater, cool ! Hot tip: The Berkley Finisher just came out the other day and it is super erratic ! Also the Berkley Krej just came out the other day, both lures look superb and very unique underwater !
I will have to check them out. Thanks!
Yea the tournaments are getting ridiculous. There’s not many lakes by me but the ones that are here have tournaments on them every weekend in the spring and fall.
It is amazing how many events there are now. The industry has changed a lot in the last decade for sure.
I love throwing the strike king itsy bitsy crank bait I've caught catfish panfish and bass alike
It definitely will catch anything that swims!
You buy usually 3 cranks in the same color plus in different sizes 😮😮. Cause the Plano looks like a stack supply.😊😊
It does!
@@SteveRogersOutdoors Sweet
My PB bass came this year on a micro square bill
Excellent! Thanks for sharing this. And congratulations!
Great video! What ya recommend something small but can be used on medium heavy baitcaster setup brother?
The big thing to take into consideration is the action of the rod. A MH power rated rod is used a lot when throwing cranks, but a moderate or moderately fast action helps with the give that makes landing the bass easier with the give and take with that slower action. The small cranks are often in that 1/4oz range, but with the med heavy a crankbait in that 3/8 is likely going to be a better choice. The 1.5 is 3/8 and the 1.0 is 1/4. If your MH rod is a moderate action it should handle that smaller size well - as long as it is not a super long rod, like 7'6" or greater. Great question.
@@SteveRogersOutdoorsthanks brother! What other small lures ya recommend? I rarely use crankbait 😅
@@iamalemontree I really like using tiny Texas Rigs. Lures that are in that 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 in range. Specifically small creature baits.
@@SteveRogersOutdoorsthanks sir! Do ya like smaller texas rig is better than jig?
@@iamalemontree that’s a tough one. A finesse jig is pretty awesome too.
Do you lower your line size with them?
Great question. I usually use either 10 or 12lb fluoro with this size and may go a little heavier with bigger cranks.