Yea, I'll start experimenting a little. The grass that is around where I'm fishing is usually matted a top the surface, but when I throw crankbaits in open water all I bring up is leaves, sticks, grass, etc. I usually fish the crank bait in between 4 and 7 feet.

In addition to the excellent advice offered on the forum, pay close attention to Kevin VanDam.

Whenever you get the chance, watch his retrieves very closely, listen to everything he says

and read everything he's ever written. (also read between the lines)

Roger

I couldn't agree more.....

+4 on the baby 1-, this thing works wonders over the shallow grass. Whenever I feel it tick the grass I stop it, let it float up and then either twitch it or rip it. Then restart the retrieve. This is when they destroy it.

Also the lipless baits are a good idea...It's ok if they keep getting grass on them. Just rip it free. Sometimes you have to rip it 3 times to get the grass off. Sometimes the grass just doesn't come off. But it doesn't matter, you' d be surprised how they'll smack that thing. I've gotten bit on the fall after 3 successive violent rips on a 7'6 rod. It may feel like your movements are unproductive to fish, but you'll be pleasantly surprised when they take it.

idk why but i never classed lippless as a crank even though they are i just call em traps and cast em a mile and "yo yo" them back slamming smallies all the way there the only one i have connfidence in.

One thing I would suggest...change your retrieve. When I'm in shallow water I don't fish it straight in like I do when I'm crankin' deep---I crank it down to get it going, then kind of pull or drag the bait. I can feel the bait better and stop it or rip it before it gets really burried in the weeds, bottom or whatever else I'm throwing into.

i was throwing a bandit flatt maxx 8-10ft i think today had 1 hit when i paused after bouncing it off a rock but it came off 2 sec into the fight. i did catch a ton of sticks and leaves though and a huge chunk of tree bark