Un-Snagging Deep Crankbaits

[martintheduck]

This summer I have forced myself into fishing deep cranks and have gotten pretty used to them. I've built up my confidence considerably and have gained a feel for what I am knocking when against the bottom. I've gotten used to getting snagged and freeing them up without any tools, but this past week I snagged 3 different lures and couldn't free them up. Had to cut them off! ($25 down the drain)

 

 

SO - This leads me to - What lure retrievers have you guys used with success? Whats the correct way to use them?

 

I've used a 3oz catfish weight snapped onto the line and just drop it straight down, but that has only worked maybe 25% of the time.

[00 mod]

Look up golden rule lure retriever. Best I have ever used.

Jeff

[roadwarrior]

Jewel Bait Hound Dog Retriever

 

Have not lost a lure this year.

[tomustang]

Any lure retriever, make sure the line is strong and long enough.

[martintheduck]

Thanks fellas

[martintheduck]

Any lure retriever, make sure the line is strong and long enough.

 

 

I've just always been skeptical about them. I've been forced into a spot where I'll need to actually try  using them. It's not a big deal for me to be losing a shaky head here and there... I've never been unable to free up a spinner.... but man oh man - losing these crankbaits HURTS!

[WRB]

You can make a good lure retriever with your 3 oz weight.

Add a larger split ring like a 1" key ring and put 3 to 4, 8" long #8 stainless steel sash lengths on the big split ring. Put the weight on the split ring, tie a 50' cord onto the split ring and add a large salt water type snap swivel on the split ring.

Clip the lure retriever onto your line with the snagged crankbait while keeping some tension on the line and let weighted retriever slide down the line. Shake the cord that is tied onto the lure retriever until it snags the crankbait, pull up the lure with the retriever attached. attach the free end of the retriever cord to a boat cleat in case you drop the cord into a deep water tree.

Been doing this about 4 decades, works good, saved lots of my lures, including some expensive swimbaits!

Tom

[Chris at Tech]

I always fish with a personal diver

[Montanaro]

The other day, thought I was going to lose one of my KVDs.

 

DIdn't have anything to drop down on it.

 

Luckily I had 20 pound Seagur on I just pulled up the branch off the bottom.  Hook didn't even straigthen out.  Quality gear.

[ww2farmer]

Just out of curiosity ...............were you in a spot where you could use the TM to "get behind" crank and pull it out from the opposite way it got snagged? If I am deep cranking, I find this to be effective most of the time, just let line out and go around wide so you don't run right over the spot.

[deadadrift89]

http://m.basspro.com/EZ-Lure-Retriever-Kit/product/52869/

I use alot of Poes cranks at $10ea. and so does my fishing partner. This has saved us a lot of $$$$$.When you get hung up try to get straight above it and hold your line semi tight and drop retriever from several feet above lure up and down. Works most of the time after a few knocks.

[tomustang]

I've just always been skeptical about them. I've been forced into a spot where I'll need to actually try  using them. It's not a big deal for me to be losing a shaky head here and there... I've never been unable to free up a spinner.... but man oh man - losing these crankbaits HURTS!

 

To put simply. I bought one ($11) last month, last week I snagged a $8 crank. Used the retriever and got it unstuck. Almost paid for itself.

[martintheduck]

Just out of curiosity ...............were you in a spot where you could use the TM to "get behind" crank and pull it out from the opposite way it got snagged? If I am deep cranking, I find this to be effective most of the time, just let line out and go around wide so you don't run right over the spot.

 

 

Did it. Didn't work in these cases. I was fishing some steep bank drops on the local river and people has a tendency to dump crap in it. I'm pretty sure I snagged into a large barge rope or a tire or something stupid like that. Tried for 5 minutes all three times from every possible distance and angle and wouldn't come loose.

[martintheduck]

Is there some advantage to the ones with chains hanging off them?

[tomustang]

Is there some advantage to the ones with chains hanging off them?

The chains are meant to grab a hold of the hooks, it's not definite though

[Fishes in trees]

I always carry both kinds, an extendable pole and a plug knocker.  Both have paid for themselves several times over.

[Sam]

I use one like the Jewel Hound Dog with 60-pound test.

 

I really need to up the line test but so far it works.

 

In the boat I do what WW2Farmer does which usually works 90% of the time.

 

I have found you need to get directly on top of the snag and drop the Hound Dog so that it can knock the crankbait off the snag.

[Bankbeater]

Most of the lakes I fish from a boat from are not too deep.  I can get by with a long pole.  If I can't snag the lure I can usually snag what it's hung on.

[mikeeasttn]

I found this video very helpful.  I've since ditched my lure retrievers.

 

[bigbill]

I'm fishing off a low bridge and a place were the bank is above the water for about 30" with a 9' drop off. I purchased a lure blocker retriever. So far it's saved my lures many times. I lost a glass craw crank and retrieved it months later using the extra one I had. I just casted out and two lures came up on my line, weird?

I did go to the low bridge spot one night with a home made grapple. I pulled up a 2x10 plank that was 12' long. This was were everyone was snagging on. But at the sametime we lost bottom structure. I need to fix that.

I lost about 4 or 5 lures one day in the trees. Being in a rush to fish. It was an expensive trip all the lures were new. I don't rush anymore.

[J Francho]

I use the Bill Dance thingy with the chains.  It's literally 100% success rate has paid for itself 20 times over.  Slide it on the line, and send it down.  You might have to shake it a few times, but once the trebles are tangled in the chains, you're getting your lure back.

 

[martintheduck]

I use the Bill Dance thingy with the chains.  It's literally 100% success rate has paid for itself 20 times over.  Slide it on the line, and send it down.  You might have to shake it a few times, but once the trebles are tangled in the chains, you're getting your lure back.

 

 

 

If it's good enough for Bill Dance, it's good enough for me! Bill is awesome!

[J Francho]

LOL, I think Bill gets a diver to unhook his snags.

 

But seriously, I just like this one because the reel keeps the line from tangling up in storage.  I think I got on sale for like $10 or so.  Not real easy to use at first, but it works once you get the hang of it.

[00 mod]

I have used several and the one I recommended has been spot on. It works so good Gene stole it from me on the road trip this year.....

Jeff

[Dave P]

Bill is effective 90-95% of the time for us!