Flat Sided Cranks - Does Anyone Use Them?

[smalljaw67]

I just had a good day not too long ago fishing a Rapala DT Flat 7 and the guy who I was fishing with mentioned that he was out just a day before fishing KVD 1.5s and 2.5s and he didn't get a strike and he was fishing the same area, but things can change overnight so I didn't think about it. Anyway, we made our way pasts some docks that where in really shallow water and right past the dock there was a drop, not a real big drop but pretty good as the flat was 2' to 2.5' deep and the water drapped into 5'. We got to that spot and my buddy began probing the edge of the drop with a 1.5, I had the same thought but since I was catching fish on the Flat 7 I began casting a DT Flat 3, well 2 cast and it was fish on, it didn't take but another 2 casts and another fish. So my buddy goes back the the DT 7 since he didn't have a flat 3 and I wouldn't give him one since I only have 2 left, and he begins fishing the outer edge of the drop and he hooks up with a fish in a short amout of time, so after catching a few more we called it a day. Now reflecting on that day and seeing how many people, including myself, are throwing the KVD 1.5s and other types of shallow cranks, is it possible that not many are fishing the flat sides very much. I've been using the Flat 3 for a few years now as it is a great spring and fall crank for cold water and it has only been 3 years for the DT Flat 7 for me and the same cold water, wood cover bait but how many of you use a flat crank? I even find myself not using them as I did long ago, like in the late 80's early 90's I used the Poes cedar flat sided cranks with success but I have gotten away from them over the years butil recently. Anyway I think with everyone throwing square bills and stuff it would be a great time to show the fish something different, it seemed to work for us and I bet it would work where fish are seeing 1.5's all day too.

[Marty]

I don't know if Shad Raps qualify as flat-sided, but they're closer to flat than the typical round and they're one of the all-time great cranks. I also used to use Bomber Flat A's with some success. Whether they work because they're different than most or whether it's just that the fish are more attracted to a tighter wobble at any given time I have no idea.

[lavbasser]

Early and late in the year I use flat-sided baits more. Also, anytime the water is really clear.

[Sam]

Yep. Flat sided cranks can produce, especially in the spring and fall.

Do you think the flat sided cranks went deeper than the KVDs?

That could be the reason the bass hit the flats and not the 1.5's.

Wish you guys would have thrown a deeper running square bill to note if the bass would hit it at a deeper depth.

Great report. Keep them coming.

[smalljaw67]

Yep. Flat sided cranks can produce, especially in the spring and fall.

Do you think the flat sided cranks went deeper than the KVDs?

That could be the reason the bass hit the flats and not the 1.5's.

Wish you guys would have thrown a deeper running square bill to note if the bass would hit it at a deeper depth.

Great report. Keep them coming.

I didn't run a deeper square bill but I ran the shallower flat side and it also produced. I always used the flat side baits in colder water in the fall and the early spring but I've only recently began using them in places I would throw a spinnerbait, not in the weeds but wood cover and it is working but I believe it is the difference in action as the fish are seeing a lot of wide wobbling baits much more than a tight wiggling bait. The day we were out a lot of guys were throwing square bills and that is why I thing the difference in action is what got the fish to bite. I will keep an eye on this type of thing from now on and see which produces better and when.

[Bluebasser86]

I use them mainly in colder water for a little more subtle action, Dt flats and Bandit flat maxx are my picks.

[senile1]

The KVD 1.5 and 2.5 have a huge wobble while the flat-sided Rapala's have a tighter wobble. You may have heard a general rule of thumb is to use a tighter wobble in cooler water and a larger wobble in warmer water. Whatever the case, at this time and place the fish you and your buddy were catching appeared to prefer the tighter wobble. At some other time, they may hit the 1.5 and 2.5 and ignore the flat-sided crank. You have two different tools for different circumstances.

[craww]

The new luckycraft kelly jordan crank is a great bait. Casts better than alot of shallow flat baits too.

[NoBassPro]

I use them frequently, just depends on the day. Even in summer sometimes they seem to work better for me, particularly on small lakes that get decent pressure. Rapala DT's, Bandit FlatMaxx, and the old Poe's are my favorites. For whatever reason, you can get the Poes for $2-3 apiece near me at a couple local stores, so they are a favorite of mine in pike infested waters. They still catch bass, too.

[out_doors_guy]

I use flat sided, square billed cranks, always Poe's RC cedar baits, around heavy shallow (less than 10') the tight wiggle and square bill come through cover with minimal snags, if I am paying attention that is. Other than for heavy cover, flat sided cranks have a much more subtle action that works well in cooler water and in tough conditions like post frontal. You can look at them like finess cranks.