Kevin VanDam has been fishing prototype versions of the Gravel Dawg for the last couple years and he knew right away that it was going to be special! It runs true through all types of cover – rock, brush, grass. Nothing stops the Gravel Dawg! T
he Gravel Dawg comes in two different versions – the Gravel Dawg 8 and Gravel Dawg 10. Both sizes keep the same body profile and size, but the bill changes between the two to achieve different diving depths. These baits will have you covered in the 5-10 ft. range throughout all parts of the country.
Strike King Gravel Dawg: https://bassproshops.vzck.net/DKkxWG
Lew’s / KVD fishing rods: https://bassproshops.vzck.net/9gJoeY
Developing Effective Crankbaits with Strike King
One of the things that I love about my job with Strike King is that I get to work on and develop the baits that I want to use. Obviously, I want to build baits that fit my style and are going to do a job that I think is missing.
Strike King has a great lineup of crankbaits, from the XD Series to the 1.5s to the Series 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. However, one thing that we were missing was a really good mid-range crankbait that would just tear up the bottom.
Introducing the Gravel Dawg
So, introducing the brand new Gravel Dawg. It comes in a Gravel Dawg 8 and a 10, designed to run 8ft and 10ft, making it perfect for that mid-range. If you look closely at it, you’ll see that it’s uniquely different from other Strike King crankbaits.
First, it has a much more angled bill, with the 8 having an even steeper angle. This gives it a very wide wobble and a good loud rattle. What it really does is it just flat eats the bottom up. Any type of cover, grass, wood, or rock that you put it in, this is the most wheedles crankbait that I’ve ever tied on a fishing rod.
It hits that zone that you can’t fish with a square bill. A square bill is good in cover, but this thing is unbelievable. It’s perfect for brush, grass, even algae, and slime on the bottom, which is a crankbait fisherman’s nightmare. It just sheds everything.
Unique Features and Versatility
This is a bait that just hunts. It has an erratic action to it and really tears the bottom up. It’s a fantastic new bait from Strike King, phenomenal. Is it a spring crankbait?
Yes. Is it a summer crankbait? Yes. Is it a fall crankbait? Yes. Is it a winter crankbait? Absolutely. This bait is super versatile. It flat triggers fish, has a very unique and different action, and is really special.
Recommended Gear
I like to throw it on my Signature Series Crankin’ Rod, the CC4. It’s a 7’4″ medium-heavy action rod with a nice soft tip. It really allows me to throw this bait a super long way and get it to its maximum depth.
If I’m fishing around targets, and this is a great bait for doing that—for fishing laydowns, channel swing banks, rip rap, and things like that—you need to make good accurate casts.
A shorter rod is going to be better, but day in and day out, having the length and power of this longer rod really allows me to maximize what the Gravel Dawg is all about.
Availability
If you haven’t seen one yet, they’re in stores now. It’s an amazing new crankbait.
Head over to Bass Pro Shops to get the top-quality fishing tools I rely on. For all your bass fishing and outdoor sport’s needs: https://bassproshops.vzck.net/WqGoYO
