Crankbait's Weight

[Loop_Dad]

I am trying to build up my collection of crank baits. I like my crank baits in 1/2 oz size because of the ease of casting. I wanted to keep all my cranks in the similar sizes to keep it simple and to get away with one set up.

However many shallower cranks come more in smaller size like 1/4-3/8 oz. This makes me wonder...Do folks usually buy smaller, 1/4 oz or 3/8 oz, cranks for shallow diver and heavier cranks for deep divers?

[roadwarrior]

3/8 oz is common, but I prefer 1/2 oz and larger. No 1/4 oz for me.

[TNBassin']

Half oz is the smallest I go.

[KevO]

I throw them all 1/4 - 1oz

[craww]

Recently I acquired a digital scale. One of the things I've noticed is that rarely do lures weigh what their listed at. Most 1/2oz rattlebaits weigh more than 5/8oz. 1/2oz spinnerbaits weigh 4/5 an ounce.

One of my personal favorites for numbers is the RC .05. Listed at 1/4, I was always shocked how well I could cast it. Scales indicate its nearly 3/8oz! Air resistance has just as much to do with it as weight. Most modern cranks cast well. In time, you'll be able to look at a bait and judge how well it'll cast. Obviously truely lighter more air resistant baits such as the storm thin fin, shad rap, etc don't cast as well, but just about every crank I use can be cast easily on a MH casting rod.

[K_Mac]

I've never put one on a scale, but the Bandit 100 series weighs in at 1/4 oz according to Bandit. I have caught some very good fish on those little devils. I would not let an arbitrary weight limit my selection. I used to throw them on a spinning rig. I now have a glass cranking rod rated 1/4-3/4 with a Pro Qualifier reel that does a fine job.

[Loop_Dad]

There are folks who prefer heavier ones like me and there are others who don't care.

But what the theory behind the companies making more smaller shallow cranks than bigger shallow crank? Could it be that they determined the shallow cranks don't need to be thrown far, therefor they don't need to be bigger? Or is it simply more fishermen buy smaller sizes, so they make smaller sizes?

Recently I acquired a digital scale. One of the things I've noticed is that rarely do lures weigh what their listed at. Most 1/2oz rattlebaits weigh more than 5/8oz. 1/2oz spinnerbaits weigh 4/5 an ounce.

One of my personal favorites for numbers is the RC .05. Listed at 1/4, I was always shocked how well I could cast it. Scales indicate its nearly 3/8oz! Air resistance has just as much to do with it as weight. Most modern cranks cast well. In time, you'll be able to look at a bait and judge how well it'll cast. Obviously truely lighter more air resistant baits such as the storm thin fin, shad rap, etc don't cast as well, but just about every crank I use can be cast easily on a MH casting rod.

Which one is RC .05?

[Will Wetline]

This is "old school" because the Cotton Cordell Big O goes back to the '70s. In the 1/4 oz. size the smallies still like it just fine when they're cruising shallow water.

Tackle used is 7' medium action rod, spinning, 8 lb. mono. Keep a tight grip on the rod when you retrieve this oldie but goodie!

[Bankbeater]

I will use 1/4 ounce and up. If I am throwing a light lipless bait in deep water I just let it fall longer. Kind of like fishing a jig.

[Bass Dude]

I don't necessarily go by weight in choosing a crankbait. The first thing I look for is the running depth, then size, then weight. If I have a 1/2oz. crank that doesn't dive where I need it to go, it doesn't do any good. I always go by diving depth and don't worry about the weight.

A little trick...you can throw the smaller ones a mile on a spinning rod...even in the wind. For some reason people forget about throwing cranks with spinning gear. I wacked 'em one day throwing a Norman Little N on a spinning rod. As someone else posted...I've killed the smallies on the small BigO. Mark Davis won a couple tournaments throwing the small plugs on spinning gear....just sayin'!