Any time you’re around shallow cover, look to a square bill. The @StrikeKingLure bait that hunts and cuts through the cover. @LewsFishing rod recommendation and which line weight to use. Get the inside scoop from Kevin VanDam.
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When it comes to shallow cover fishing, nothing beats the reliability of a square bill crankbait—especially the KVD 1.5. This bait has earned my confidence for countless reasons, from its exceptional deflection off cover to the way it hunts in the strike zone. It’s a flat-out bass-catching machine.
The Perfect Setup
For optimal performance, I rely on my signature series cranking system, featuring a 7-foot medium-action rod. This setup pairs perfectly with the 1.5, giving you the control and flexibility needed for precise casts and retrieves.
I use a 6.2:1 gear ratio KVD crankbait reel and spool it with 14-17 lb. Bass Pro XPS fluorocarbon line, ensuring strength and sensitivity.
Targeting Key Areas
The KVD 1.5 excels around various shallow cover types like rocks, wood laydowns, and grass. When possible, I recommend paralleling an edge to keep the bait in the strike zone longer. The way this lure digs, hunts, and kicks off cover makes it irresistible to bass.
Matching Colors to Conditions
Color selection is crucial. In dirty water, I lean on brighter patterns like Fire Craw, Black Back Chartreuse, or Oyster. In clearer water, natural colors like shad, crawfish, or bluegill patterns perform best. Matching the forage in your fishing system gives you an edge every time.
Upgrading Your Lure
I like to switch out the hooks on my 1.5s to Mustad KVD number 2 trebles for superior hook-setting power. However, if you want a ready-to-fish option, the new KVD Elite Series comes pre-rigged with premium Mustad hooks and finishes. These baits are designed to perform right out of the box.
Let the Bait Work for You
One of the best aspects of the KVD 1.5 is how it does the work for you. Its hunting action triggers strikes like no other bait. All you need to do is put it to work, and it will handle the rest.
Whether you’re fishing in stained or clear water, targeting wood or grass, or adapting to local forage, the KVD 1.5 delivers every time. Give it a try, and watch it transform your shallow cover game.
