Bandit 100 Series Crankbait
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By:
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ChuckMElliott
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Mood:
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- Fishing Bait & Lure Reviews
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Date:
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Sep 29, 2009
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Music:
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None
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Bandit 100 Series Crankbaits Review - The Ultimate Bass Fishing Crankbait
Author:
Chuck Elliott
When it comes to heavy cover shallow water cranking, the square bill baits are king.
I was lucky enough to have come across an excellent crankbait almost by accident. A very good friend of mine, who fishes the Elite Series, gave me a box full of baits to "Test" for him. I threw the box in the bottom of the boat and almost forgot about it until one early spring day in a club tournament. I was fishing shallow wood cover with a different brand of crankbait, and just not getting the bites, although I knew there were fish in there. Just by chance, I tied on one of the Bandit 100 Series Crankbaits in a chartreuse pattern, and began loading the boat. I wanted to find out what was so different about the Bandit 100 Crankbait that made the fish strike, and found the answer rather quickly. The bill on the Bandit 100 is square, which allows for what I call a "Medium wobble", a good all around, all year round action. The biggest difference that separates the Bandit crankbait from the other baits is the way it deflects off of cover. I noticed that when I hit a log or rock in the water the bait would dart very erratically and unpredictably, and that's when the strikes would come. The coolest thing about this bait, I found out, is that you can throw it in just about any kind of cover you want to and not hang the bait up! Way cool!
 
After that first day with the Bandit 100 I was, forgive the cliché, "hooked" on that little square bill crankbait. And having fished it for several years now, I have found that it will catch fish year-round on just about any lake in the country. It comes in a very good selection of colors, and I have not had to tune a bait to get it to run true yet. Every single bait has been ready to go right out of the box! The 100 series Bandit is 2" long, weighs in at 1/4oz, and dives about 2 feet deep on 20 pound test mono, or about 5 feet deep on 8 pound test. Overall, there is not a better shallow water, heavy cover crankbait on the market today! The bait is available online at BassPro.com.
Chuck's tips:
When you hit a piece of cover with your crankbait, give it a short pause. The fish will often strike the bait just as soon as you start reeling again.
If you are fishing really heavy cover, but still need to get the bait down deeper, use braided line. Its smaller diameter will allow the bait to dive deeper while still giving you plenty of strength to get those bass out of the thick stuff. Just be sure you use a lighter action rod like the Gloomins MBR 843C.
About Chuck:
Chuck has been an avid bass tournament fisherman and part time fishing guide for over 20 years, and has developed a deep love for teaching people how to catch more and bigger fish. He is active in his local bass clubs, as well as the B.A.S.S. National Federation.
Chuck was 2004 Erath County Bass Club Angler of the Year, 2004 Stephenville Bass Club 2nd Place Angler of the Year, 2005 Stephenville 2nd Place Angler of the Year, and 2005 B.A.S.S. Federation West Region Tour Champion.
Chuck currently lives in Stephenville, Tx. with his wife and four children and fishes several times a week.
If you have questions or comments for Chuck or just want to know what the fish are biting, please email him directly at: chuckmelliott@gmail.com
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