![<p>Chris Lane cut his bass fishing in the big-fish mecca that is central Florida. Lakes Kissimmee, Toho, Okeechobee, Istokpoga and others conjure up thoughts of hefty stringers. Since he moved to Guntersville, Ala., full time to guide and further hone his skills, Lane has become a more well-rounded angler. We asked Lane to detail his five favorite big bass techniques.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/224w8248_1.jpg)
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<p><strong>5. Deep cranking.</strong></p>
<p>Lane isnât alone when he says that deep-diving crankbaits seem to get the bigger fish in a school to bite first. âThe new Luck âEâ Strike Freak is my go-to because itâll get down in the 18- to 20-foot range and get those heavy bass to eat, especially when theyâre piled up along ledges.â</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/224w7407.jpg)
5. Deep cranking.
Lane isnât alone when he says that deep-diving crankbaits seem to get the bigger fish in a school to bite first. âThe new Luck âEâ Strike Freak is my go-to because itâll get down in the 18- to 20-foot range and get those heavy bass to eat, especially when theyâre piled up along ledges.â
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<p><strong>4. Big soft plastics</strong></p>
<p>âBig worms are big fish baits because they appeal to the biggest bass in an area. Iâm talking 10 inches and larger. I like to use these in summertime when the bass are deep and looking for one big meal.â</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/224w7460.jpg)
4. Big soft plastics
âBig worms are big fish baits because they appeal to the biggest bass in an area. Iâm talking 10 inches and larger. I like to use these in summertime when the bass are deep and looking for one big meal.â
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<p><strong>3. Topwater</strong></p>
<p>Lane has been tweaking a prototype topwater walking bait from Luck âEâ Strike that will be labeled under his Fast Lane name along with the Tube and others. âItâs a big walking bait, and when the shad are spawning, thereâs a tendency for those bigger bass to go after a walking bait because it looks like the biggest shad. Theyâre best around bluff walls.â</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/3_58.jpg)
3. Topwater
Lane has been tweaking a prototype topwater walking bait from Luck âEâ Strike that will be labeled under his Fast Lane name along with the Tube and others. âItâs a big walking bait, and when the shad are spawning, thereâs a tendency for those bigger bass to go after a walking bait because it looks like the biggest shad. Theyâre best around bluff walls.â
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<p><strong>2. Topwater frog</strong></p>
<p>âIn the fall, you get those big giant mats and the bass under them are under there to feed up before the winter, and a frog shimmying along on the top is an easy-looking meal for those big fish,â he says. âSnag Proofâs frogs are all great for this because they have some of the strongest hooks there are and they wonât bend, no matter how big the fish is and how thick the mat may be. Plus, the bodies are soft and you get a hook in the fish almost every time."</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/4_58.jpg)
2. Topwater frog
âIn the fall, you get those big giant mats and the bass under them are under there to feed up before the winter, and a frog shimmying along on the top is an easy-looking meal for those big fish,â he says. âSnag Proofâs frogs are all great for this because they have some of the strongest hooks there are and they wonât bend, no matter how big the fish is and how thick the mat may be. Plus, the bodies are soft and you get a hook in the fish almost every time.”
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<p><strong>1. Flipping matted grass</strong></p>
<p>Flipping matted grass is Laneâs go-to for plus-size bass. âWhen you get that bite in a mat, it is the most crazy, exciting and intense feeling that you get. You never know whatâs on the other end. They hit it so hard that you almost donât know what to do,â he says. âThose big bass live under there because thereâs shad, bream and other fish under there, so they have everything that they want.â Once again, Lane has been fine-tuning a prototype Luck âEâ Strike Fast Lane flipping creature bait which he hand-designed to slip into the thickest mats.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/5_57.jpg)
1. Flipping matted grass
Flipping matted grass is Laneâs go-to for plus-size bass. âWhen you get that bite in a mat, it is the most crazy, exciting and intense feeling that you get. You never know whatâs on the other end. They hit it so hard that you almost donât know what to do,â he says. âThose big bass live under there because thereâs shad, bream and other fish under there, so they have everything that they want.â Once again, Lane has been fine-tuning a prototype Luck âEâ Strike Fast Lane flipping creature bait which he hand-designed to slip into the thickest mats.