Summer Crankbait Fishing with the VAPOR Deep Plus
When summer bass push offshore and settle on structure, few tools are as effective as a deep-diving crankbait. The VAPOR Deep Plus from Livingston Lures was built for this season. With a compact body, precise diving capability, and EBS Technology that calls fish from beyond visual range, this crankbait was designed to excel in pressured summer conditions.
Designed for Depth and Efficiency
Measuring 50mm, the VAPOR Deep Plus features a custom circuit-board lip that drives it quickly down to the 12–15 foot range. The lure’s tight vibration and profile make it ideal for targeting bass on ledges, humps, and deep brush. It deflects cleanly off cover—rocks, stumps, or grass—while maintaining track and triggering reaction bites.
The lure’s compact design also makes it easy to cast long distances, which is critical for maintaining maximum contact with deep structure.
The EBS Advantage
Unlike traditional rattling baits that rely on internal beads or knocker chambers, the VAPOR Deep Plus incorporates Livingston's EBS Technology™, emitting the natural sounds of baitfish like perch, minnows, or panfish. This added sonic cue draws fish in from outside visual range—particularly effective in stained or off-color and when bass are staged deep during the "dog days" of summer.
In many summer conditions where fish are pressured or less aggressive, sound becomes the final and most important trigger.
Rod, Reel, and Line Setup
To get the most from the VAPOR Deep Plus, use a medium-power, moderate-action crankbait rod in the 7'4" to 7'6" range. Match this with a size 150 or 200 baitcasting reel, ideally with an 8:1 gear ratio to help recover line on long casts. Spool with 12–15 lb fluorocarbon to achieve the intended dive range and maintain bottom contact.
This combination allows the bait to reach depth quickly, stay there longer, and transmit every bump, pause, and strike back to the angler.
Working the Lure
Success with the VAPOR Deep Plus starts with cadence and bottom contact. The lure is most effective when ticking along rock, grinding against shell, or deflecting off wood. Use a steady retrieve with intermittent pauses, or speed up and slow down the bait through the retrieve to trigger reaction strikes.
In warmer water, bass often hold tight to cover. The VAPOR’s compact profile helps it slip through grass and over submerged limbs without fouling. When it does deflect, give the bait a moment to rise or pause—the combination of movement and sound often seals the deal.
Locating Summer Bass
During summer, bass school up on offshore features like channel bends, points, brush piles, and submerged roadbeds. Use your electronics to locate fish in the 12–15 foot range. Once located, make long casts that bring the VAPOR through the strike zone at the right angle.
Pay close attention to casting angles and boat positioning. If the fish aren’t reacting, reposition and come at the structure from a different side. The right approach can change everything.
Tuning and Maintenance
After extensive use or repeated contact with hard structure, check the line tie to ensure the bait tracks straight. A properly tuned lure not only dives more efficiently but also deflects more naturally and draws cleaner strikes. The Vapor Deep can handle all the abuse you can dish out, but be sure to keep it tuned after making serious contact with cover and structure.
Putting It All Together
The VAPOR Deep Plus was built for summer crankbait senarios. Its unique combination of tight action, depth range, and natural baitfish sound gives serious anglers an edge in tough conditions.
Whether you’re pulling bass off deep rock or tempting pressured fish in stained water, the VAPOR Deep Plus helps you stay in the strike zone longer—and trigger the bites that other crankbaits miss.
