When do the fish stop biting red cranks/traps...is water temp a factor?
Bass will be attracted to and can be caught on crankbaits with a red/brown/orange hue year round but they are most productive in waters in the south where there are many crawdads and they are the most desirable forage for bass since they are loaded with protein. The red colored crankbaits are especially effective in cold water and when the spring months begin to arrive. Crawdads generally become most active when the water temperatures reach the 50s to low 60s. Having said that red colored crankbaits are the number one choice of most professional anglers primarily in water temperatures ranging from 45-65 degrees but again they can work with great success year round. Personally I prefer to use most all of my billed crankbaits and lipless crankbaits in some red/brown/orange hue beginning in early winter until after the bass finish spawning. At that point I will generally switch to a sunfish pattern crankbait, a chartreuse blue back colored bait, especially in heavily stained water, then transition to a shad patterned color during the late summer and into the fall months. I hope this helps!