Crankbait Lures

I’ve been hooked on crankbait fishing for years, and let me tell you, it’s a game-changer. There’s something electrifying about the moment when a big fish hammers your lure as it zips through the water. It’s not just about the thrill, though. Crankbait fishing is an art that requires finesse, strategy, and a keen eye for detail.

From the 7 different lengths of crankbait rods to the nuanced techniques of retrieval, mastering this method opens up a world of possibilities. Whether you’re targeting bass in freshwater or battling saltwater giants, crankbaits offer unparalleled versatility.

But here’s the kicker – it’s not as simple as just casting and reeling. The magic happens when you start paying attention to the subtleties. The depth of your lure, the speed of your retrieve, even the way your bait deflects off cover – these details can make or break your fishing trip.

Ready to dive into the world of crankbait fishing? Buckle up, because we’re about to explore everything from the basics to the finer points of this exhilarating technique. Trust me, once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder how you ever fished without crankbaits in your arsenal.

Fishing With Crankbaits

Fishing with crankbaits can be highly effective, but it requires attention to detail. Crankbaits mimic small baitfish and work best when covering lots of water or when fish are actively chasing prey.

One key advantage of crankbaits is their treble hooks, which provide the power to fight a fish back to the boat. However, care is needed when setting the hook and playing the fish to avoid losing them.

The most successful crankbait anglers pay close attention to the depth the bait is running, the retrieve speed, and how the bait deflects off cover. Experimenting with different crankbait sizes, shapes, and colors can make a difference in finding what the fish are keyed in on.

While crankbait fishing may seem simple, there are many nuances to master. But when you get the hang of it, there’s nothing like the thrill of a big fish hammering your crankbait as it zips through the water. It’s a technique worth adding to your arsenal.

Crankbait Fishing

Crankbait fishing requires attention to detail. It involves more than just casting and reeling. The most successful anglers pay close attention to the depth the bait runs, the retrieve speed, and how the bait deflects off cover.

Experimenting with different crankbait sizes, shapes, and colors can make a difference in finding what the fish are keyed in on. Some days, a fast-moving bait that zips through the water works best, while other times, a slower, more subtle presentation is better.

One key advantage of crankbaits is their treble hooks, which provide the power to fight a big fish back to the boat. However, care must be taken when setting the hook and playing the fish to avoid losing them. With practice, the thrill of a lunker hammering your crankbait as it darts through the water is unmatched. Crankbait fishing is a technique worth adding to your fishing arsenal.

Crankbait Fishing Lures

Crankbait attracts predators that live in the water other than bass. These lures cover an immense area and trigger the attack of nearby fish. Below are some common fish caught on crankbait.

The list of species you can catch with crankbaits is nearly limitless. These lures come in small sizes that can attract Trout or Panfish, or very large sizes that can target large saltwater fish. They even come in articulated versions that use a joint to separate the tail, creating a realistic swimming action. You shouldn’t hesitate to experiment with most species.

Crankbaits For Fishing

Crankbaits are a versatile and effective lure choice for anglers targeting a variety of fish species. These lures are designed to mimic the swimming motion of small baitfish, triggering an aggressive strike response from predatory fish.

One advantage of crankbaits is their ability to cover a large area of the water column. As they dive down and retrieve back to the surface, crankbaits can attract the attention of fish that may be suspended or cruising at different depths. This makes them an excellent choice for locating and triggering strikes from active, roaming fish.

Another benefit of crankbaits is their treble hook design. The multiple hooks provide a secure hold on the fish, making it easier to land your catch. This is especially important when targeting hard-fighting species like bass, walleye, or even saltwater gamefish.

When fishing with crankbaits, it’s important to match the lure size and diving depth to the specific conditions of the water you’re fishing. Choosing the right crankbait can make all the difference in triggering those explosive strikes and landing more fish.

Hard Baits & Crankbaits

Many anglers select a fast-moving or aggressive action crankbait that features a wider wobble or erratic action. For example, squarebill crankbaits are known for their aggressive action and ability to deflect off cover. These types of hard baits can be very effective for triggering strikes from active, predatory fish.

It’s important to match the lure size and diving depth to the specific conditions of the water when fishing with crankbaits. Choosing the right crankbait can make a difference in triggering explosive strikes and landing more fish. Crankbaits are a versatile and dynamic lure that can cover a large area of the water column, making them an excellent choice for locating and catching active, roaming fish.

Can’t Catch A Fish On Crankbaits

One of the biggest challenges anglers face when fishing with crankbaits is setting the hook too aggressively. Pro anglers on TV often make huge, violent hooksets that send bass flying out of the water. While this type of hookset is sometimes necessary, it’s not the best approach for crankbait fishing.

With crankbaits, you want to use a much more subtle hookset. The aggressive action of a crankbait can cause fish to strike hard and fast. But if you try to set the hook too forcefully, you can pull the lure right out of the fish’s mouth before it has a chance to get fully hooked. A guy in my boat lost a nice 7-pounder on a crankbait a couple weeks ago because he “horsed” the fish too much.

Another common mistake is not matching the crankbait to the specific conditions of the water. Crankbaits come in different sizes, shapes, and actions. If you’re not using a crankbait that matches the depth, cover, and activity level of the fish, you’ll have a hard time getting them to bite. Paying close attention to water clarity, cover, and fish behavior is key to selecting the right crankbait.

Finally, many anglers make the mistake of not letting the crankbait fully dive down to its maximum depth before starting their retrieve. Crankbaits need time to reach their diving depth to effectively cover the water column and trigger strikes from fish holding at different levels. If you rush the retrieve, the lure won’t get down to where the fish are.

The key to catching more fish on crankbaits is to use a light, subtle hookset, match your lure selection to the conditions, and give the crankbait enough time to get down to the desired depth before you start your retrieve. Do those things, and you’ll start converting more of those explosive crankbait strikes into landed fish.

Crankbait Rod Length

Crankbait rods typically range from 7 to 7’11” in length. Longer rods around 7 feet are ideal for making long casts and fishing big, deep-diving crankbaits that reach 10-15 feet. The extra length provides more leverage and power to launch these lures. Shorter rods around 6 feet excel at making precise, controlled casts, making them perfect for fishing around docks, laydowns, and other tight cover where accurate placement is crucial. Shorter rods also offer better hook-setting power when working with lighter, shallow-running crankbaits.

A 6’6″ or 6’5″ rod can be a versatile compromise, allowing reasonably long casts while maintaining good accuracy and control. This in-between length is suitable for using a variety of crankbait sizes and depths.

The right crankbait rod length ultimately depends on personal preference and fishing conditions. Experiment with different lengths to find what works best for your style and the type of water you’re fishing. The right rod can make a significant difference in your crankbait presentations and hook-up ratio.

Crankbait Bass Fishing

Crankbaits are versatile and effective lures for catching bass. These hard-bodied lures mimic small baitfish, making them irresistible to hungry bass. The key is selecting the right size, color, and diving depth to match the conditions and bass’ feeding patterns.

The primary advantage of crankbaits is their ability to cover a large area quickly. The lure’s diving action and vibration create a distinct profile that bass can detect from a distance, drawing them in to investigate. This makes crankbaits excellent for covering expansive flats, points, and areas where bass may be roaming.

Crankbait fishing offers a variety of techniques. Anglers can cast and retrieve with a steady, constant retrieve or impart a more erratic, jerking action to trigger a reaction strike. Crankbaits can also be fished at different depths by selecting lures with varying diving capabilities, allowing anglers to target bass at various water levels.

When choosing a crankbait, consider the size, color, and diving depth in relation to the local baitfish and water clarity. Smaller, natural-colored lures often work best in clear water, while larger, brighter lures can be more productive in stained or murky conditions. The diving depth should match the depth at which the bass are holding.

Proper presentation is crucial. Anglers should cast the lure parallel to cover and retrieve it with a steady, rhythmic cadence. This allows the crankbait to dive and deflect off the cover, triggering strikes from nearby bass.

Crankbait Vs Jerkbait Differences And Comparison

Crankbaits and jerkbaits differ in their body shape and swimming action. Crankbaits have a deeper, more rounded profile that creates a distinct wobbling motion, helping attract bass from a distance. Jerkbaits have a slimmer, streamlined design that allows them to dart and twitch erratically, mimicking an injured baitfish.

Crankbaits dive down and deflect off cover, triggering reaction strikes. Jerkbaits are worked with sharp twitches and pauses, provoking aggressive strikes from bass. Crankbaits excel in open water flats, points, and areas with scattered cover, while jerkbaits thrive around denser cover like docks, laydowns, and submerged vegetation.

Both lure types have their strengths. Matching them to the right conditions is key to maximizing their effectiveness. Whether you prefer the wobbling vibration of a crankbait or the tantalizing twitch of a jerkbait, these lures can be deadly when used properly.

Kranken Series Crankbait Rods

The Kranken Series Crankbait Rods from G. Loomis are a game-changer for anglers who love fishing with crankbaits. These rods are designed to handle any crankbait, whether it’s a deep-diving model or a shallow-running one. With power ratings ranging from 1 to 9, and a variety of lengths available, there’s a Kranken Series rod that’s perfect for any situation.

The sensitivity and backbone of these rods allow anglers to feel every subtle tick and vibration of the crankbait, giving unparalleled control and responsiveness. They’ve been used to fish deep-diving crankbaits in open water, as well as shallow-running models around docks and submerged vegetation, consistently delivering impressive performance.

The versatility of the Kranken Series rods is truly impressive. Whether a tournament angler or a weekend warrior, these rods from G. Loomis will give anglers the upper hand when fishing with crankbaits.

Crankbait Noob

As a crankbait noob, I’ve learned that there’s more to it than just casting and reeling. The key is paying attention to the small details.

First, the crankbait bill makes a difference. A deeper diving bill reaches fish in deeper water, while a shallower bill keeps the lure higher in the water column. Experiment to see what works best.

Another factor is the retrieve. The further you cast and the longer you reel, the deeper the lure will dive. Varying the retrieve speed can trigger different fish reactions. Sometimes a fast, erratic retrieve works best, while a slower, more methodical approach is better at other times.

Using the right rod and line setup makes a big difference. Sensitive rods help feel the lure’s vibrations, and the right line strength and type can affect how the crankbait dives and runs. Experiment until you find the right combination.

The most important thing is to keep an open mind and try different techniques. Crankbait fishing takes practice, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be hooking up with bass. Pay attention to the details, and you’ll become a crankbait expert.

FAQ:

Mastering the Art of Crankbait Fishing

Crankbait fishing is a thrilling and rewarding technique that can elevate your angling game to new heights. I’ve spent countless hours on the water, experimenting with different crankbaits, and I can tell you firsthand – there’s nothing quite like the heart-pounding excitement of a big fish smashing your lure.

From selecting the right rod length to mastering the subtle hookset, every detail matters in crankbait fishing. It’s not just about casting and reeling; it’s about understanding the water, the fish, and how your lure interacts with both. Whether you’re targeting bass, trout, or saltwater species, crankbaits offer versatility that few other lures can match.

Remember, patience and persistence are key. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Keep experimenting with different sizes, colors, and retrieval techniques. Pay attention to the depth, cover, and fish behavior. With practice, you’ll develop an intuition for when and where to use your crankbaits most effectively.

So grab your tackle box, head to the water, and start cranking. The thrill of that first explosive strike will have you hooked for life. Trust me, once you experience the power and excitement of crankbait fishing, you’ll wonder how you ever fished without them. Now get out there and make some waves!