Yesterday while scanning the front decks of the boats returning to the ramp, I spotted numerous squarebills.
In fall, when baitfish begin flooding the creeks, the squarebill crankbait is ideal for getting strikes when deflected off hard cover like rock and wood. That’s what Randy Sullivan used to take 2nd place at Lake Guntersville.
His squarebill of choice was a Berkley Frittside 5 Cranbait, fished along riprap shorelines and causeway bridges.
“It’s got just a great action, as designed by David Fritts,” he said. “It’s also a confidence bait for me, this time of the year.”
Is Sullivan’s confidence carrying over to Santee Cooper? If so, you can bet he’s using the Frittside. BASSTrakk shows Sullivan in 3rd place with 9 pounds, 10 ounces.
Coincidentally, Brian Snowden is 5th with 8-0. Here is what he told me last week at Guntersville.
“Especially in fall, a squarebill is ideal for fishing in the backs of creeks and around laydowns and rocks,” he said. “It’s my favorite bait to use in the fall.”
Snowden favors the Azuma Matt Reed Square Boss Crankbait.
“It has an extra-tough, chip-resistant lip that is more durable than plastic, so you can fish it longer and with confidence around the heavy cover,” he said. “I like the chartreuse/black back as an all-around best color.”
Could he also be using a squarebill? My bet is yes, he might be, considering how deadly the bait is when deflected off cypress trees and standing timber.