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Ok, What would YOU use a crankbait for? I mostly use them as a search type
lure, looking for an active fish. But, I will also use one as a primary lure at certain
times, to rely on exclusively. And yes, I will elaborate.
I see crankbaits as "mostly" a search type lure, due to their ability
to cover lots of water quickly. I will fan cast an area methodically, to search
out the active fish, looking for a bite. The reason for this is to start putting
a pattern together. Once I've caught a few fish I can generally figure out where
they were coming from, be it a weed line, drop off, rock piles, etc,. Then I can
decide on what I need to do to target their position. This is my general use for
crankbaits, BUT on certain occasions they can be the only lure I use all day.
Like for instance, in the summertime, when the fish are active but holding deep,
a crankbait can literally RULE! Another instance can be pre or post spawn. When
the fish are holding on key spots to and from spawning areas. And sometimes in
the late fall a crankbait will outshine any other lure in your tackle box.
First off I'd like to point out that I always use monofilament line and a
whippy, or flexible rod for my crankbaiting. This is to give the fish some
"give" to the strike for better hookups. Also I will remove the split
ring from the baits eye and use a quality snap on my line. This not only helps
out in quick lure changing, but will give the lure a good action. If you tie
directly to the split ring, sometimes the line will rub the ends of the ring and
nick the line. Not something you will want when you got a monster bass on the
lure. However, on some lures you cant get a snap onto the eye, due to the eye being
recessed into the lip, so I will make sure that when I do tie directly to the
snap ring, that I am tying onto the doubled up part of it (away from the split)
and I make sure that the knot is very tight so it wont slip.
Now for the HOW. I usually cast out crankbaits in the same manner every time I
use one, no matter what depth I'm fishing, size of crankbait, or structure I'm
targeting. I cast it out as far as possible. Reel it down to the depth desired,
and stop it for a few seconds. This can sometimes be all that is necessary. I get
a lot of hits stopping he bait once the depth is reached. Then I start my
retrieve. I may reel it constantly all the way back to the boat, or use a stop
and go retrieve (varying the stopping intervals), Or, "kneel and reel"
for deeper presentations, or sweep the rod back and take up the line by winding
downward (to keep the bait from floating). But I always start my retrieves with
a halt once the depth I want is reached (but that's a personal preference). I generally use a crayfish patterned crankbait for
"bouncing" the bottom, like on gravel/rock flats. I crank it down until
I feel it hit bottom, then the wait, then I crank it until it hits again, and
continue with a stop and go retrieve. This works especially well when the flat
drops off to deeper water, "bounce" the bait right over the drop.
Another good crankbait use is deep weedlines. Parallel the weedline and run the
bait steadily on the outside, and on the inside, of it. You can also use a stop
and go retrieve in the weeds themselves, once you feel the lure hit the weeds
stop, let it float a bit, then resume your retrieve. I usually will pick a
prevelant baitfish patterned lure with rattles for weedlines. Another good
crankbait use is for suspended fish, I will pick a suspending model crankbait,
toss it out, crank it down to the desired depth, then, very slowly, use a sop
and go retrieve, did I say S-L-O-W-L-Y. (suspending fish are usually inactive).
Now for my favorites. I like Rapala Fat Raps, and Shad Raps, Bomber Fat A's,
Excalibur fat free shads, Berkley frenzy's, and Poes 300's. Mostly I try to
adhere to three basic colors. Silver, gold, and crayfish. But I will sometimes
use a perch pattern or a bluegill pattern (depending on the lake). choosing your
crankbaits is a personal preference issue. But the one major thing to consider
is: what "type" of crankbait you are buying? Does it run the depth you
want? does it run in a tight wiggle, or a wide wobble? (generally the wider the
lip the wider the wobble). And does it float, or suspend? does it have rattles?
is it wood or plastic? these are all things to consider and they all play a part
in the productivity of the lure (depending on what you are using it for)
Consider what you want the lure for, then get one to fit that bill.
I hope this helps some. And left some things out due to the fact that many of
my uses are strictly personal preference, and don't
really appeal to the "normal" use of crankbaits.
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