best crankbaits for pre-spawn ledge fishing?

[billgator]

Hey guys,

I'm taking on cranking for the first time this spring, and everything I've read or gathered from the locals here in the Huntington, WV area says to focus on ledges between the flats and 8 to 12 feet of water with a red crankbait when the water is between 50 and 60 degrees. Would you guys agree with this? If so,

1) Should I focus on wide wobble or a tight wobble crankbait?

2) Should I be looking for a deep diver that will hit bottom not only as the bait comes off the flat but also in the deeper areas?

3) Do you guys recommend any specific cranks for this application?

THANKS!!!

[Uncle Leo]

I never fished the waters that you are asking about but I would never overlook a jig in that type of situation. I would tip with your favorite craw. Mine is a Rage Tail Craw or chunk depending on jig used or profile needed. Give a Wiggle Wart a go. If they seem to like something red Wiggle Wart has a Red Craw pattern that may work. Depending on line size you could beat the bottom, just stay with 8-10 lb test. I have found that ledges in pre-spawn a bait worked slow will get more bites.

[5bass]

I'd probably throw a trap type bait first but the water is a good temp so a tight wiggle bait matched to the water depth is probably the answer. (I'd still throw the trap first though)

[billgator]

I never fished the waters that you are asking about but I would never overlook a jig in that type of situation. I would tip with your favorite craw. Mine is a Rage Tail Craw or chunk depending on jig used or profile needed. Give a Wiggle Wart a go. If they seem to like something red Wiggle Wart has a Red Craw pattern that may work. Depending on line size you could beat the bottom, just stay with 8-10 lb test. I have found that ledges in pre-spawn a bait worked slow will get more bites.

Leo,

Regarding the jig, do you mean to slowly hop the jig from the flat to the ledge and off it?

[Uncle Leo]

I never fished the waters that you are asking about but I would never overlook a jig in that type of situation. I would tip with your favorite craw. Mine is a Rage Tail Craw or chunk depending on jig used or profile needed. Give a Wiggle Wart a go. If they seem to like something red Wiggle Wart has a Red Craw pattern that may work. Depending on line size you could beat the bottom, just stay with 8-10 lb test. I have found that ledges in pre-spawn a bait worked slow will get more bites.

Leo,

Regarding the jig, do you mean to slowly hop the jig from the flat to the ledge and off it?

I had more success dragging slowly, pausing and shaking on the pause. I have had some luck hopping it but just a small lift.

[Crestliner2008]

Swimming Jig (Wisconsin Style) might work pretty well as well for you. Red cranks do seem to prevail, on some local waters, but they've never been a wide spread producer for me.

[Blade-Runner]

Shad Rap.

[Stingray23]

lipless crankbaits.