When yellowbelly are active and moving, a hard-bodied diver or crankbait lets you cover water efficiently and locate fish before committing to working structure more thoroughly. They're also highly effective when fish are feeding in the mid-water column rather than sitting hard on the bottom.

The Dart Driver's range is a newer addition to the Cod Pro Shop lineup and has produced consistently since launch. These are designed for Australian conditions and species — the dive curve and action are tuned for the type of retrieve speed that gets yellowbelly firing, not the fast-burn style of lures built for bass or walleye overseas. Limited stock is available, so if you're looking to add one to your kit for spring, get in early.

Retrieve style for crankbaits on yellowbelly: medium-paced, with occasional pauses. The pause is often what converts a following fish into a striking fish. Rod tip down, reel in steady bursts, pause for one to two seconds, repeat. Pay attention to whether the fish are preferring a tighter or wider wobble — water temperature and clarity influence this.