A few days ago I tried fishing my new KVD 1.5 squarebill (4' to 6' depth) and on every cast I was pulling up weeds/leaves from the bottom. So I decided to buy the KVD 1.0 squarebill, which dives to 4' max. it doesn't hit the bottom, eliminating the problem with leaves, but I don't know how to fish it if it's not hitting the bottom. Should I try a stop/go retrieve, or straight retrieve? Fast or slow? Thanks.

Square bills do much better when they are deflected.  Sometimes this can be challenging from shore

Just now, NHBull said:

Square bills do much better when they are deflected.  Sometimes this can be challenging from shore

Yeah, I've heard that you can imitate that by using the stop/go retrieve. Ever tried that?

Stop and go bro also you can wake the square bill. Their is a crankbait I think ? is a great recommendation for cranking over grass try the Manns baby minus. The six sense square bill also I have noticed runs about three feet good option as well. 

13 minutes ago, EGbassing said:

Yeah, I've heard that you can imitate that by using the stop/go retrieve. Ever tried that?

Yup, I just tend to go to something different in grassy areas

Spinnerbait is good for grass.

Fish a square bill around clay bottom with logs. Try different retrievals and see what the fish react to and decide to strike. Rocky banks are good, gravel bars, clay bars, logs, trees. Most of your fish is gonna come from the deflection off stuff. Grass, I would be throwing lip less cranks, chatter baits, spinner baits, swim baits, and swim jigs. Good luck bro

I usually switch to a spinnerbait in grassy areas because the grass doesn't cover the square bill like it does in the grass.

 

Anyway, in your case you can definitely try the stop and go approach. Or look for an area with stumps and docks to bang them off of causing a deflection.

Definitely go Spinnerbait in your case. I gave up on lipped cranks in most of my waters. Snag upon snag. Spinners go right through.

Bladed jig 

35 minutes ago, sully420 said:

Bladed jig 

Actually tried one of those today, on my last cast something blew up on it just below the surface. Missed him on the hookset though.  

All good suggestions, burn a lipless!

There is a crankbait thread "A rare insight into crankbaits" on the top of the Fishing Tackle forum page.

Tom

Throw a fluke! 

On 4/20/2018 at 12:27 PM, EGbassing said:

A few days ago I tried fishing my new KVD 1.5 squarebill (4' to 6' depth) and on every cast I was pulling up weeds/leaves from the bottom. So I decided to buy the KVD 1.0 squarebill, which dives to 4' max. it doesn't hit the bottom, eliminating the problem with leaves, but I don't know how to fish it if it's not hitting the bottom. Should I try a stop/go retrieve, or straight retrieve? Fast or slow? Thanks.

It could work with a straight retrieve or erratic . 

Bagley Balsa B ?

 

Straight or erratic retrieves!

2 hours ago, Catt said:

Bagley Balsa B ?

 

Straight or erratic retrieves!

I was going to mention Honey B  but didnt know if they still made them .

1 hour ago, scaleface said:

I was going to mention Honey B  but didnt know if they still made them .

 

The original squarebill before anyone knew what a square bill was!

Never heard of a honey B

1 hour ago, Burros said:

Never heard of a honey B

 

Bagley Honey B the original squarebill 

I always thought the first square bill was the big O by cotton Cordell?

59 minutes ago, Burros said:

I always thought the first square bill was the big O by cotton Cordell?

 

Alphabet baits came out about the same time, they consisted of Cotton Cordell's Big O, Bill Norman's Little N, & Bagley's B. 

 

Yes those 3 have a "square bill" but the term "squarebill" has become associated with small crankbaits.

You can impart your own "deflection" of sorts by quickly snapping the rod back in one direction or another.  Not exactly the same as it's not producing a "thump" as it hits an object, but it gives the random darting motion of a fleeing baitfish.

Rebel wee r is my square bill of choice.

On April 23, 2018 at 6:32 AM, Catt said:

 

Alphabet baits came out about the same time, they consisted of Cotton Cordell's Big O, Bill Norman's Little N, & Bagley's B. 

 

Yes those 3 have a "square bill" but the term "squarebill" has become associated with small crankbaits.

Fred Young's hand carved balsa Big O was the original as I recall. Young's Big O were sold in egg creates and selling for unbelievable prices before Cotton Cordell made the plastic version.

I still a few Bagley original square bills and Fred Youngs Big O's.

Tom