When summer bass fishing crankbaits in weeds having preconceived knowledge about where the fish could possibly be positioned during summer. “These fish move up and down in the weeds based on a couple of different variables,” explains James Lindner.
“However, the number one in my book is almost always food. Bluegills and the other different types of forage that bass key on the move up and down in the water column depending on water levels and weather changes. So it’s important to go out fishing every day knowing that the bass could have relocated overnight.”
It’s essential when you’re making a lure selection is experiment where the bait is moving. Sometimes if they are down deep in the weeds, you’re going to need penetrating baits. When the fish are up high, baits swimming over the tops of the weeds can be key to catching more fish. Know your bait options and try to match them to the conditions you may face daily. Start by experimenting, trying to figure out where the fish are positioned.
According to Al Lindner, “In many lakes we fish, the main bass forage are bluegill and crawfish. Bluegill movements, behavior, and location pretty much dictate everything. When ‘gills get negative and burry down in the weeds, bass fishing is generally pretty tough. But when bluegills come up out of the weeds, move along the edge, or suspend, you can bet the big bass are near. Again, it’s often based on what those bluegills are doing, so it is critical to learn bluegill patterns for spring, summer, and fall. Figure that out, and you’re going to catch a lot of bass.”
The Rapala BX Brat is the perfect option for cranking over weeds. When the bait contacts a week, you pull to break the bait loose, sending it swimming and darting forward. The weeds also break off the lure with ease. The Brat comes pre-rigged with amazing hooks and is an ultra-durable bait. It’s an absolute workhorse in our opinion, and perfect for cranking over weeds.
The BX Brat is also ultra buoyant. So when you do real the bait down to the tops of the weeds, you can simply pause the bait momentarily to let it float up and back out of the weeds, then start cranking the bait over the top.
“Understand how the fish position in the weeds the use of various lures for a different type of weed fishing scenarios, James explains. “Different weed fishing situations and fish locations call for other tactics like punching or finesse fishing, like jig worm presentations. Other times, spinnerbaits or swimbaits will be the top-performing baits.

When it comes to fishing in weeds during the summer months, one of the key factors to consider is where the fish are positioned within the weeds. Fish tend to move up and down in the water column based on factors such as food availability and weather conditions. This means that lure selection is crucial, as you need to experiment with different baits to match the fish’s location within the weeds.
In a recent fishing trip with my buddy and brother, we had great success catching big fish using crankbaits. We found that the larger fish were positioned higher in the water column, while the smaller fish were deeper in the weeds. This highlights the importance of understanding the behavior of the main forage in the weed beds, which in our case were bluegills and crawfish. Bass love to feed on bluegills, and their movements dictate where the bass will be concentrated.
To locate the bass, we water b ugged along the edge of the weed line, looking for schools of bluegills. These schools indicated where the bass would be concentrated. By quickly moving along the edge and observing the presence of bluegills, we were able to find the hotspots for bass.
One effective bait we used for cranking over the top of the weeds was the BX Brat6. This bait has a unique design on the front that prevents weeds from getting tangled in it. It is a tough and durable bait that can withstand the rigors of fishing in weeds. The BX Brat6 gets down to about five feet, which is perfect for fishing at the top of the weeds. It also has excellent hooks, ensuring a solid hookset when a bass strikes.
Another advantage of the BX Brat6 is its buoyancy. When paused or pulled into something, the bait backs out of the weeds easily due to its buoyant nature. This makes it an ideal bait for fishing in warm weather when bass are more likely to respond to a bait that bounces back.
Crankbaits, like the BX Brat6, are a popular choice for fishing in weeds due to their ability to cover a large amount of water. They allow anglers to search for active fish and trigger strikes. By slow rolling the crankbait over the tops of the weeds, you can entice bass to strike. The square bill design of the bait helps it deflect off cover and create a unique action that attracts fish.
During our fishing trip, we caught several bass using the BX Brat6. While they weren’t giants, they were good-sized fish that provided plenty of excitement. The success we had with this bait reaffirmed the importance of understanding the subtleties of weed fishing and using the right lures for different scenarios.
In conclusion, fishing in weeds during the summer months requires careful consideration of where the fish are positioned within the weeds. Lure selection is crucial, as you need to match the fish’s location within the water column. By understanding the behavior of the main forage, such as bluegills, you can locate the hotspots where bass will be concentrated. One effective bait for fishing in weeds is the BX Brat6 crankbait. Its unique design prevents weeds from getting tangled in it, and its buoyancy allows it to easily back out of the weeds when paused or pulled into something. Crankbaits, like the BX Brat6, are popular for fishing in weeds due to their ability to cover a large amount of water and trigger strikes. During our fishing trip, we had success catching bass using the BX Brat6, reaffirming the importance of understanding the subtleties of weed fishing and using the right lures for different scenarios.
So, if you’re planning to fish in weeds this summer, make sure to consider the fish’s positioning within the weeds and choose the right lures accordingly. Experiment with different baits to match the fish’s location within the water column. And don’t forget to give the BX Brat6 crankbait a try. Its unique design and buoyancy make it a great choice for fishing in weeds.