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Step 1
Choose a rod with a medium action, or flexibility. You want something that will bend, but still has enough stiffness to fight larger fish. The tip should be soft, however, so that you to feel the wobble of the crankbait, as well as any nibbles or strikes from fish.
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Step 2
Cast using whatever cast your are most comfortable with, or whatever the situation calls for. Overhead and sidearms are the most common, as they afford the most distance and allow you to cover the most water.
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Step 3
Watch your line and your rod tip. The crainkbait will let you feel a vibration that's anything from a small wiggle to a wide wobble, depending on the lure. If you don't observe any vibration, the hook may be caught on the line or on some weeds.
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Step 4
Feel the vibration of the rod as you reel. Using a crankbait is a great way to search underwater for cover and structure where fish may be waiting. You can feel when the lure hits a rock or a stump. Also, you can feel if a fish nibbles or strikes at your bait.
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Step 5
Try different reeling techniques. Move your rod tip back and forth to move your bait from side to side. Try pausing every few feet to attract predating fish. Reel at different speeds. Jerk your rod slightly as you reel to make your lure dart through the water.
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Step 6
Experiment with different lures. Crankbaits come in many colors, shapes, sizes, actions and depths. The more time you spend on the water trying different lures, the better you'll become at judging which to use in a given situation.
