Crankbaits
 | The enticing wobble of the crankbait frequently triggers fish to bite even when not actively feeding. Any fish that feeds on baitfish will be caught on crankbaits. |
Usually, crankbaits about an inch to two inches long are used for trout, crappie and white bass. You can figure 8 to 12 inches for pike, stripers, largemouth and muskie species.
Crankbaits work great in temperatures above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, but if retrieved slowly, they will work well at even lower temperatures. This type of lure works well in water of any clarity, muddy or not. Gamefish can easily detect the wobble of a crankbait’s lateral line system. While most anglers use the casting method for crankbaits, this lure can also be trolled. Internal rattles also make the bait easier to detect.
Crankbaits can easily snag in dense weeds and heavy cover because of the exposed hooks. However, they can be fished in these environments as the lip of the bait defects off of rocks and logs. Selecting a crankbait that runs at a higher depth than the tops of the weeds will help lessen the chance of snagging the hook.
Crankbait Depth and Action
The two main attributes of a crankbait are running depth and action. Lip design, shape of the body and composition affect these traits. The shape and angle of the lip will affect the action. A wide lip will create more wobble. A steep angle causes more roll. The larger the lip and the straighter its angle is to the horizontal axis of the lure’s body, the deeper the plug will dive. The lure’s shape affects the stability and action. The thinner the body, the smaller and faster the wobble. Crankbaits are composed of plastic or wood. The lighter the material, the more responsive the bait becomes. Balsa crankbaits tend to be the lightest.
The allure of a crankbait is particularly effective in murkier waters as the wide wobble of the plug is easily detected by predator fish. The slimmer bodies or baits such as minnowbaits lessens the chance of food lodging in the predators throat making this lure is the optimum choice for clear water angling as the fish can get a good look at the bait.
Fishing with Crankbaits
Crankbaits are highly popular with competitive anglers because the technique allows the angler to cover a lot of water fast. This is especially handy when you find yourself in unfamiliar waters and are searching out prime spots. Once you’ve established where the fish are with the crankbait, you can switch to a slower method and try different maybe more effective techniques.
Selecting the right depth for your lure is important. If you’re fishing some weeds topping at 10 feet deep, you want to select a lure that can reach just below the tops of the weeds. It may snag, but you’re not running deep through the weeds nor are you running too far away from the weeds.
Interupting this lure’s wobbly retrieve can be an effective means to snagging a catch. Periodically bumping the bait into logs or rocks often produces a strike as does pausing the retrieve letting the bait float up for a second or two.
Every crankbait has a optimum running depth. It will take some experimenting with your retrieve to find your baits optimum speed. Retrieving faster does not always mean running deeper. To reach its maximum depth, crankbaits often need tuning. To tune your crankbait means to optimize its straight it tracks. If the attachment eye is bent slightly wrong, your lure will veer off to one side instead of tracking straight, thus losing depth.
