Fall Cranking

[Frenchman83]

As we begin the transition into fall I am tempted to "up size" the crankbaits that I generally throw on the river.  I generally fish the DT6 and 1.5 for reference.  While not necessarily going with a KVD 8.0 square bill what are some larger crankbaits that others would suggest?

[A-Jay]

Just a bump up to the SK 2.5 has been a good way to trigger some bigger bites.  

Also check out the 6th Sense Crush Flat 75X Crankbait ~ 

Has a different profile & is a nice 5/8 oz 'in-between' size that has been a solid producer for me both early & late in the season.

A-Jay

[salmotrutta]

Throw the 8.0.You will get bit.The myth that you need to downsize for smallies is bull.I have friends that throw big swimbaits and they get bit often(mostly wake baits at night).While it won't be a numbers game you will land some toads.I just ordered a KVD 8.0 squarebill and a 6th sense Magnum squarebill(4.5" and 1.5 oz.)Should have these by the weekend.I will be throwing these with a Dobyns 795 swimbait rod.

[A-Jay]

12 minutes ago, salmotrutta said:

Throw the 8.0.You will get bit.The myth that you need to downsize for smallies is bull.I have friends that throw big swimbaits and they get bit often(mostly wake baits at night).While it won't be a numbers game you will land some toads.I just ordered a KVD 8.0 squarebill and a 6th sense Magnum squarebill(4.5" and 1.5 oz.)Should have these by the weekend.I will be throwing these with a Dobyns 795 swimbait rod.

Looking forward to seeing some pictures.

Good Luck

A-Jay

[smalljaw67]

Rapala DT-Fat 3, SK KVD 2.5, and if you can find some of the discontinued Xcalibur XCS 200 series square bills,especially in the real craw series, grab them. A newer one that I really like as well is the Bill Lewis Echo 1.75, I haven't had but 1 full season with it but it is quickly becoming a favorite. Yo-Zuri has the 3DB square bill that is a big body bait that I do well with this time of year for river smallmouth, I like these in the prism colors, specifically prism shad, when the water is really clear.

[Spankey]

I bumped my sizes up this season on a few of my favorite crankbaits because of stained water. Not sure how it well it worked but surely did not hurt. Went with the larger profile thought. 

 

I'm in clearer water now. Hope I can get a few times out with my current conditions. I'm back to 1.5 ish sizes and natural type colors. 

[roadwarrior]

Bandit 200

Be careful, you might get your arm broke!

[Columbia Craw]

Take a look at the Luhr Jensen Speed Trap.  In my region it is a must have.  The Crush 75 A-Jay mentioned is also a great bait. For deeper applications, I like the Normans Deep Little N.  

[Spankey]

4 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Bandit 200

Be careful, you might get your arm broke!

++++++++AAAAAAAA++++++++

 

I have a boat load of Bandits, have caught at least a fish on each one. I fish some natural patterns that are real killers. Majority are Special Runs that you just can't get anymore. Wish bandit would pull it together and bring back some of those. Some of the newer patterns will pick up some fish but the older ones were the bomb. They are not in the USA anymore.

[caclunker]

On 9/18/2017 at 7:50 PM, salmotrutta said:

Throw the 8.0.You will get bit.The myth that you need to downsize for smallies is bull.I have friends that throw big swimbaits and they get bit often(mostly wake baits at night).While it won't be a numbers game you will land some toads.I just ordered a KVD 8.0 squarebill and a 6th sense Magnum squarebill(4.5" and 1.5 oz.)Should have these by the weekend.I will be throwing these with a Dobyns 795 swimbait rod.

TRUTH!!I have done better throwing the 130 whopper plopper for smallies than the 90s...within reason size don't matter so many variables play into the equation