Crankbaits For Smallies

[Zach Dunham]

This past weekend I was in a tournament where there was literally zero shallow bite. The few teams that did well fishing in "deeper" water and offshore. The lake is probably 80%-90% smallmouth. I'm not sure what they mean by deeper, but I'm going to assume 10-25ft. Admittedly, I am terrible at fishing in deeper than 10 ft. Just terrible. I overheard some saying they caught all of their fish on crankbaits in deeper water. I know from past experience in this lake that crawdad colored baits, or similar, are usually the best. The only way I've been able to catch fish "deeper" in this lake is on a tube jig. My issue is, I feel like crankbaits that will dive deep enough to hit some fish in 15-20 feet of water are too big of a profile for smallmouth. This lake isn't known for monster smallmouth either. A 2-3 lb smallmouth is common but rarely do you see anything over 4 lbs. I have some 6 XDs in the crawfish pattern laying around (bought them when that color was on clearance), do you think those are too big?

 

Any and all advice on smallmouth crankbait fishing is wanted! (what lure, what color, ways to fish it, etc.) Thanks for any info in advance!

 

I'm just really annoyed with Lake Wallenpaupack this year, there has just been a terrible shallow bite. In past years you could always find largemouth shallow, but it seems they have gone elsewhere.

[J Francho]

 

My issue is, I feel like crankbaits that will dive deep enough to hit some fish in 15-20 feet of water are too big of a profile for smallmouth.

 

That is your issue, right there.  I've caught 2-3 lb. smallmouth on 6" swimbaits.  Tie on a CBD20 or DD22 and go get 'em.

[Zach Dunham]

That is your issue, right there.  I've caught 2-3 lb. smallmouth on 6" swimbaits.  Tie on a CBD20 or DD22 and go get 'em.

 

So, for instance, you don't think a 6 XD is too big of a bait for a 2-3 lb smallmouth? I mean to catch them regularly on?

[mod479]

If you look around the forum you'll notice commonalities. One being that smallmouths will smash big baits, including those some may find too large for brown bass like full size spooks, magunum jerkbaits, and muskie size spinners. If they think it'll fit in their mouths, they'll probably make a swipe at it.  

[J Francho]

So, for instance, you don't think a 6 XD is too big of a bait for a 2-3 lb smallmouth? I mean to catch them regularly on?

 

Not if you put the bait in their face. A 6XD is the same size as the two other baits I mentioned.

[Dwight Hottle]

These work really well for smallies. The bigger size ones.

 

http://www.stormlures.com/Original-Hot-'N-Tot/Original%20Hot%20'N%20Tot,default,pd.html

[Kevin22]

I wouldn't feel comfortable fishing that big of a bait for smallies during a tourney. Fun fishing, yeah all day long.. but not during a tourney. While they will hit it, not all of them will and the point of fishing a tourney with a 2-3lb average is to use a bait that will catch you fish after fish. Now if you were going for 4lb+ smallies I would say heck yeah, throw that big 6XD. 

 

Instead I would rig up a #9 shad rap on a spinning rod with 10# braid and a 6' 8# fluoro leader. You arent going to hit 20+ feet but you should be able to hit 15.

 

What I would probably do though is put an 1/8 ounce bullet weight about a foot and a half above a #7 shad rap and peg it. Then let the bait sink for a few seconds before reeling, you should be able to dig bottom in 25' no problem and you will have a nice thin profiled bait that any 2lb smallie will take a whack at. 

[J Francho]

You're probably not going to come in the money with a bag of 2# fish.  Swing for the fences...big cranks, big jigs, hollow belly paddle tails on heavy jigheads, and stroking heavy single blade spinnerbaits.  I wouldn't forget to toss a big topwater over 20+ FOW in the early hours either.

[Kevin22]

If 2-3lb fish are common and 4lb fish are rare, I would not be targeting the rare fish for a tourney. Possibly if I had a bag of 3lbers, but I would spend my day getting a limit of 2-3lb fish and working to upgrade to all around 3lb. 

 

If 2-3lb fish are common as the OP says, a bag of 2lb fish could most certainly win it if the rest of the field has trouble catching a limit. 

[Zach Dunham]

If 2-3lb fish are common and 4lb fish are rare, I would not be targeting the rare fish for a tourney. Possibly if I had a bag of 3lbers, but I would spend my day getting a limit of 2-3lb fish and working to upgrade to all around 3lb. 

 

If 2-3lb fish are common as the OP says, a bag of 2lb fish could most certainly win it if the rest of the field has trouble catching a limit. 

 

Usually in these tournaments, at least this year, its a limit of 2lb-range smallies and a big fish (largemouth or smallmouth). The last tournament though, there was only one largemouth in the whole tournament weighed in. Two years ago people would be able to catch a whole bag of largemouth.

[Zach Dunham]

You're probably not going to come in the money with a bag of 2# fish.  Swing for the fences...big cranks, big jigs, hollow belly paddle tails on heavy jigheads, and stroking heavy single blade spinnerbaits.  I wouldn't forget to toss a big topwater over 20+ FOW in the early hours either.

 

I use a spook in the early hours, that has been on and off this year. The smallmouth just seem to come smack it and not eat it.

[Kevin22]

If it does not already have it, put a feathered treble on the back. Then either put a red treble on the front or take a sharpie and put a red dot right where the front hook hangs. In my experience with smallies and topwater, if you give them something to key in on and they will go for that instead of just swatting at the whole bait.

 

I have another trick also but you will have to PM me if you want it. I havent been sharing it on forums because I have never seen anyone else do it. 

[flippin and pitchin]

Look at the Koppers Live Target 64D.  This bait has a smaller profile but gets down below 16 feet.  I have two and they run true.  Very good hooks.

[Derek Garner]

up in PA where i live theres a killer pattern in early spring, we run baby 1- 's over shallow weeds, you can catch 20 nice fish in under 2 hours if you hits it right. GREAT PATTERN!

[Snakehead Whisperer]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned in this thread is line size. What size line are you throwing these cranks on? If you're trying to get down deep for these smallies you'll get a bit deeper with lighter line. I usually throw 6-8lb. copoly/hybrid if I'm hunting that deep.

[tytay89]

the world record was caught trolling a bigger crank

6xd is a great bait. If your not getting your bait deep enough .............

try "long lining"

[Zach Dunham]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned in this thread is line size. What size line are you throwing these cranks on? If you're trying to get down deep for these smallies you'll get a bit deeper with lighter line. I usually throw 6-8lb. copoly/hybrid if I'm hunting that deep.

 

I use 10lb test carbon for my deeper crankbaits. I haven't had a problem getting the 6XD down to 15-18 feet on a normal cast. I was more worried about the size of it.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

I use 10lb test carbon for my deeper crankbaits. I haven't had a problem getting the 6XD down to 15-18 feet on a normal cast. I was more worried about the size of it.

On 6lb. line I can usually get a shad-rap to run about that depth. Just a thought that you could use a shallower diving crank with lighter line to achieve similar results in a smaller profile. Like a Rebel Crappie Crank-R or a shad-rap. 

 

I don't think the 6xd is too large for a 2lb. smallie though.

[Derriick]

I'd recommend a 1/2 oz jig. You can can fish it in any any depth water and you can drag it, hop it or swim it to find out what presentation is best. Good luck!

[Bluebasser86]

Smallmouth will hit big baits no doubt. I caught a 5 pounder a couple years ago that had a 9" crappie's tail sticking out of it's throat. This little guy was probably one 13 or 14 inches but produced one of the most explosive topwater strikes I've ever seen.

[ironmike12]

Any other tricks or tips for getting cranks down a bit deeper? Just starting to fish deeper reservoirs for smallies as well.

[aavery2]

I use 10lb test carbon for my deeper crankbaits. I haven't had a problem getting the 6XD down to 15-18 feet on a normal cast. I was more worried about the size of it.

Might take a look at the Norman Deep Little N.  Smaller profile and gets down around 12-15 feet.

[Zach Dunham]

Might take a look at the Norman Deep Little N.  Smaller profile and gets down around 12-15 feet.

 

I'll have to pick a few up and try it out. Thanks!

[smallies24/7]

The 6XD is one of my best smallie baits. Ive caught them anywhere from a few inches bigger than the bait to 6 pounds

 

[Eternal Angler]

Berkley Frenzy Flicker Shad 7cm kicks ass

The crankbait is reasonably priced and Berkley has a long list of colors to choose from.

I like Purple Tiger and the rainbow colors