Water temp and cranks/jerkbaits/rattletraps

[Siebert Outdoors]

At what water temperature do you guys typically start making the change from a jerkbait to a crank or rattle trap.  

For me its usually high 40's low 50's where I start seeing the bite change.  Just looking for your opinions.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

ice out to 50* - Deep cranks and jigs

50*-60* Jerkbaits and lipless cranks

60* to spawn time - Jerkbaits, lipless cranks, shallow cranks targeting isolated pieces of cover

For me it seems like the magic number around here is 55* and whole lake starts waking up and it seems like you can find active fish just about anywhere.

[Siebert Outdoors]

For me it seems like the magic number around here is 55* and whole lake starts waking up and it seems like you can find active fish just about anywhere.

I've noticed that too.  its like a majical temp that just about everything works.

[Jig Man]

It is more a mood thing for me. I really like to catch fish on a jerk but don't like cranks very much. I did catch some fish in 49° to 51° water in Texas a month or so ago. As soon as my latest bite dies, (swim jigs in 48° water) I will be heading down lake for some jerkin'.

[dink]

I like 40 - 55 degrees for a jerkbait, 55 and up for crankbaits, and for lipless cranks... if the water isn't frozen solid! Not too long ago, I would wait for the 50 degree mark for traps/spots and jerkbaits... until the day I caught a bunch on a Spot in 37 degree water in Feb. I was actually throwing it on top of the ice on some casts. I'm convinced a lipless crank will catch in any temp.

[CJ]

Good topic.

I have no set water temp guideline for a crankbait or rat-l-trap.A jerkbait isn't my favorite but I do catch some fish on them.I myself,am done with a jerkbait once the water temp gets over 50.

Gman,you probally fish clearer water than me.

[wvubassfan]

I throw a jerjbait year round. I catch fish on them year round. While you boys are throwing your sammy and other top waters I am fishing about 2-3 feet under the surface. I just seem to produce more.

[MALTESE FALCON]

I just watched a "Lindner's angler's edge" show this morning about this subject. Al says he switches to cranks when the water temp is in the mid 50's. What Al says is gospel.

Falcon

[5bass]

Anything over 50 I'm crankin' either a flat side crank or a trap. I did notice that during the Classic coverage that one of the guys was catching fish in 52 water with a trap and the fish were really close to the bank. May have been KVD,cant remember exactly who it was.

On a river,I'll crank at any temp above 40.

[CJ]

Anything over 50 I'm crankin' either a flat side crank or a trap. I did notice that during the Classic coverage that one of the guys was catching fish in 52 water with a trap and the fish were really close to the bank. May have been KVD,cant remember exactly who it was.

On a river,I'll crank at any temp above 40.

KVD caught some that way in the Classic.

Big fish get caught here,shallow,on a trap in water temps under 50.I feel it's better warming trend in the shallower,stained water.Flat A's,shad raps,most all flat sided cranks work well with low water temps here,especially when there running water.Tickling the bottom slowly and pauses seem to help this time of year.

[boondocks]

I just watched a "Lindner's angler's edge" show this morning about this subject. Al says he switches to cranks when the water temp is in the mid 50's. What Al says is gospel.

Falcon

Amen!

[FisinCrazee]

A Rattle Trap is my coooold water bait and has been for several years.  For example, Feb 19, water temp 37 degs.  Caught several bass up to 5 lbs on a 1/2 oz R/T.  They would not hit any thing else - had to be fished slow.  I fish R/Ts all year long; I always have a trap tied on and ready to go.  

Bob

[BassChaser57]

Al knows some some stuff!!!

He is one of my favorites also. 8-)

[Catt]

Here on Toledo Bend I'll throw a Rat-L-Trap every day any time of the year but after about 30-45 minutes if you aint got bit you can put that sucker in the rod box.

[Siebert Outdoors]

Some great opinions guys.  I know that I left the question very vague.  that was on purpose.  I wanted more opinions.  

Looks like there will be a jerkbait rod and crankin rod in the boat saturday.  Especially with this nice warm front thats here all week and weekend.

[Brad_Coovert]

To be honest, I have not found a spring water temp that all three baits did not work in.  I have caught fish in water as cold as 40 and as high as 70 on all three.  The main variable was how fast I fished them.  This time of year through the spawn, I will have all three tied on.

Brad

[.ghoti.]

I tend to leave the crankbaits at home until the water gets into the mid-fifties or higher. After reading some of the comments here, I see that I'll have to revise my thinking. Thanks for the input.

Cheers,

GK

[wvubassfan]

I am not a crankbait guy. I fish them when I think the time is right. However I have a buddy that will throw them in any condition and at any temp and still catch fish. I think the key to any bait is SPEED.

[frogtog]

Use crankbaits all year! Might change presentation a little and type of crank

but I fish them all year and catch fish. 8-)

[hammer]

I went fishing a few days ago the temp was 46 and I caught several good keepers on a lipless plug, it seemed to be the best producer in the box. I throw plugs all year long and have the best results between 44-65. I throw shallow cranks around lay downs in the summer time and I am usually very successful I think they get put in the back of the box when plastics are common.

Hammer the hook set its free! ;D