Rock vs. cranks

[JigMe]

My crank/lipless keep getting caught up between rocks today, and I have lost 2 cranks + a lipless. Since I fish from the bank, is there a way to prevent that from happening?

[Hammer 4]

Yeah..don't fish them so low in the water column..

I also fish from shore Alot..I seldom throw cranks, but I do like suspended jerkbaits that run shallow 1 to 3' cuz the lakes are usually about 4 to 7' deep

For lipless cranks, hold the rod tip higher, and or speed up the retrieve. Same with spinnerbaits ect..

[CRFisher]

30lb braid helps some too.

[JigMe]

Yeah..don't fish them so low in the water column..

I also fish from shore Alot..I seldom throw cranks, but I do like suspended jerkbaits that run shallow 1 to 3' cuz the lakes are usually about 4 to 7' deep

For lipless cranks, hold the rod tip higher, and or speed up the retrieve. Same with spinnerbaits ect..

well, i guess stop and go doesn't work from bank huh? haha

[Hammer 4]

Wait a min..how could 30lb braid help, if your crank bait is wedged in between 2 rocks..? In my mind it would mean cutting that much more line off..?

[CRFisher]

I guess it depends on the size of the rocks.  Large rocks - no, smaller rocks  - yes.   I've rolled rocks with stuck cranks or jigs.    If it's just a hook you can often get the hook to bend and save the crank.

[Hammer 4]

O.K...I was talkin bout Big rocks, that weigh more than 50 lbs, and usually have edges so the crank itself gets stuck.. >

Right you are Lee, no stop and go, unless it's a shallow runing crank 

[Paul Roberts]

Use the right weight (lipless) diving depth (crank) plug.

With the cranks, pull the cranks down gently, with the rod -not with the reel. When you get close, slow down; You should be able to tick and bump them without wedging.

With lipless, you just have to know the depth and where the plug is in the water column. Holding the rod higher can help, but not if you are crashing.

[Big Bait Fishing]

some times that's the price you have to pay when you fish that kind of structure  maybe try a super slow retrieve so when you feel the crankbait hit the rocks , STOP , let the bait get out on it's own ( use floating crankbaits , not suspending ones !!!) ....

[Grey Wolf]

some times that's the price you have to pay when you fish that kind of structure maybe try a super slow retrieve so when you feel the crankbait hit the rocks , STOP , let the bait get out on it's own ( use floating crankbaits , not suspending ones !!!) ....

GREAT ADVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BluegrassBoy]

some times that's the price you have to pay when you fish that kind of structure maybe try a super slow retrieve so when you feel the crankbait hit the rocks , STOP , let the bait get out on it's own ( use floating crankbaits , not suspending ones !!!) ....

Ditto!!!  I cant count the number of times i have been hung with a floating crank, and simply let it float its way out of being stuck...

GREAT ADVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dan:]

I had the same problems until I started fishing them slower. Now whenever I feel the bait run into something, instead of cranking into it or setting the hook immediately, I maintain the same pressure. If it starts shaking or moving, it's a fish, if not, I know it's a snag so I let it float up a little then keep going.

[Chris]

Sometimes I use a bill that has the same 45 degree angle as a shallow runner but a longer deeper bill than the depth I am fishing because the lip will act like a weed guard and not get stuck as much. Do choose wood cranks for this because it will back up when it is stopped.

 

It is the angle and length of the lip that is important to keep the bait from getting lodged in the rocks and the back up feature of wood plugs.