Crankbait

[pafishing717]

has anyone tried adding a splitshot at the end of there crankbait? 

[tomustang]

Why?

[pafishing717]

more distants

[pafishing717]

i have a 6 foot rod and it doesnt cast as far as i would like it to

[RipSomeLips]

I have done this on occasion with a small rapala or even a silverfox spinning minnow. It works but I get the feeling that it lowers the lures desirable action. I only fish them that way when I have too.

[Raul]

i have a 6 foot rod and it doesnt cast as far as i would like it to

casting far is a matter of balance between the rod, the reel, the line, the lure and the correct technique, adding weight may help but will end up killing the action.

[tomustang]

Longer rod, thinner line, bigger crankbait..

[senko_77]

PAfishing, you can most definitely add a split shot on your line for extra distance and a slightly deeper dive, but like the other members have stated, if you place the shot incorrectly on the line, you can mess with the bait's natural swimming motion.  My suggestion for better distance and dive depth....

 

1.  Lighter line

2.  Wrap the shanks of the hook with lead wire.  I buy mine from a local fly fishing store but you can probably get it at a hobby store and definitely online.  This is a killer trick for your crank.  Try wrapping just the front hook's shank to give your bait a more nose down dive and better protection from snags.

3.  Add extra split rings.  I know it doesn't sound like much, but adding an extra ring to both hook hangers can make a big difference,

 

Hope this helps : )

[jkroosz]

PAfishing, you can most definitely add a split shot on your line for extra distance and a slightly deeper dive, but like the other members have stated, if you place the shot incorrectly on the line, you can mess with the bait's natural swimming motion.  My suggestion for better distance and dive depth....

 

1.  Lighter line

2.  Wrap the shanks of the hook with lead wire.  I buy mine from a local fly fishing store but you can probably get it at a hobby store and definitely online.  This is a killer trick for your crank.  Try wrapping just the front hook's shank to give your bait a more nose down dive and better protection from snags.

3.  Add extra split rings.  I know it doesn't sound like much, but adding an extra ring to both hook hangers can make a big difference,

 

Hope this helps : )

I like suggestion #2. Add a couple of feet to a 3xd sounds good.

[Choporoz]

I haven't done it myself yet, but I read a pro saying he changes out the trebles to next bigger size for extra depth.  Sounds like it should work unless the bait's engineered action has so little tolerance for the changed weight/displacement.

[Grizzn N Bassin]

No i haven't. Wouldn't it give it alittle nore wobbling?

[Grizzn N Bassin]

Oh split shot not ring!

[ccummins]

Another thing is lead soldering wire from say a Radio Shack.  Comes in different gauges / thicknesses so you can get a thin one and add it on as needed.  Also might want to go up 1 hook size before doing this; added weight from the larger hook might do the trick but if not you have more space on the shank to wrap the wire.

 

PAfishing, you can most definitely add a split shot on your line for extra distance and a slightly deeper dive, but like the other members have stated, if you place the shot incorrectly on the line, you can mess with the bait's natural swimming motion.  My suggestion for better distance and dive depth....

 

1.  Lighter line

2.  Wrap the shanks of the hook with lead wire.  I buy mine from a local fly fishing store but you can probably get it at a hobby store and definitely online.  This is a killer trick for your crank.  Try wrapping just the front hook's shank to give your bait a more nose down dive and better protection from snags.

3.  Add extra split rings.  I know it doesn't sound like much, but adding an extra ring to both hook hangers can make a big difference,

 

Hope this helps : )

 

[Raul]

I haven't done it myself yet, but I read a pro saying he changes out the trebles to next bigger size for extra depth.  Sounds like it should work unless the bait's engineered action has so little tolerance for the changed weight/displacement.

 

I wouldn´t bet on that, changing the hook size can and does change the bouyancy of a crank but it doesn´t add more diving depth, I´ve done it a bunch of times with my Rapala Shad Raps, increasing the hook size one size up reduces the bouyancy but doesn´t alter the bait action.

[Christian M]

Isn't this the same basic idea as a front runner? Except the front runner is designed for topwater and shallow cranks.

[bassguytom]

I sometimes use a 3 way swivel with a small floating crankbait on a 18 inch or so leader and another leader with a drop shot weight when the water is cold to fish a small crankbait deep right off the bottom. I tried this just to see if it would work and the smallmouth seem to like it. This is the only time I add wieght to a crankbait.

[OntarioFishingGuy]

The only time that i use split shot on my crankbaits is trolling an Original Rapala for walleyes. Gets it down a little deeper. I wouldnt reccoment it for casting, unless you know where to place it. Search 'split shot and crankbait' or something like that on Youtube, you will probably get a lot of info there.