Crankbaits for shallow rocky river /creeks

[Djohn]

Depending on the model they range from 3/4" to 2 1/2". Run the stock hooks. They work equally well for both large and small mouths.

 

[smalljaw67]

13 hours ago, gall said:

I was hoping you would make a post sooner or later. I'll have to make a order of cranks maybe go to sft too. Have you ever tried Adam's custom lures? I was cursing his site look like they might work nice. 

 

I like the idea of balsa a lot especially in some fo the waters I fish. The problem is some of the limestone over the years they cut put crevices and boy oh boy those things eat lures. The boulders  are prety easy to work with irs those shelf thst are they tricky part. 

Adams Custom Lures uses predator bass blanks and they put a custom paint job on them. They now have a blank that was made for them and that is the one the river guys seem to like and I may get a few next season as well. The Atak 1.25, it is 3/8oz and runs 1'-3', I can't tell you much but I know several river anglers that hold them in high regard so they should be checked out.

[gall]

6 hours ago, smalljaw67 said:

Adams Custom Lures uses predator bass blanks and they put a custom paint job on them. They now have a blank that was made for them and that is the one the river guys seem to like and I may get a few next season as well. The Atak 1.25, it is 3/8oz and runs 1'-3', I can't tell you much but I know several river anglers that hold them in high regard so they should be checked out.

Those are the ones, I might make an order for some here soon. Also probably be making an order here from you after the holidays. 

6 hours ago, smalljaw67 said:

Adams Custom Lures uses predator bass blanks and they put a custom paint job on them. They now have a blank that was made for them and that is the one the river guys seem to like and I may get a few next season as well. The Atak 1.25, it is 3/8oz and runs 1'-3', I can't tell you much but I know several river anglers that hold them in high regard so they should be checked out.

Those are the ones, I might make an order for some here soon. Also probably be making an order here from you after the holidays. 

6 hours ago, smalljaw67 said:

Adams Custom Lures uses predator bass blanks and they put a custom paint job on them. They now have a blank that was made for them and that is the one the river guys seem to like and I may get a few next season as well. The Atak 1.25, it is 3/8oz and runs 1'-3', I can't tell you much but I know several river anglers that hold them in high regard so they should be checked out.

That's the one I first saw jaun talkinf about them. I'll probably put in an order after the holiday with them and also you. I love your slither heads I only lost one so far. The reason I lost it was o gave it to an old timer who went crazy over it. 

[gall]

So I went and pulled the trigger on the adam's custom lures. He was beyond nice and down to earth after trading emails. All said and done 6 cranks for 30 bucks which isn't a bad deal. The biggest plus is he's in state. He said he ideally made these cranks for river guys. So when I get them even though the bite not be there I'll put them through their paces and see how they do. 

[fishnkamp]

I lived in New Buffalo for 5 years and fished mostly from Selinsgrove to Front Royal.  I fished a lot of twintail grubs ( think beetle spins), 3 to 5 inch grubs and my favorite has always been the Kalin Lunker grubs. Use some 1/8 to 3/8 ounce heads.  For hard baits I used to fish Tiny Torpedoes, and regular sized torpedos, my favorite crankbait was a Rebel Humpy and the Baby 1 minus.  Also throw the 3 or 5 inch minnow baits like a Rapala original floater/divers. Both Norman and Berkley make some reasonably priced shallow divers as well.

 

The flukes and Bass Assasins were just coming out back then, but today I would seriously fish baits like a Reaction Innovations Skinny Dipper and regular dipper on belly weighted swimbait hooks and the fish head style swimbait jigheads like Picasso makes. i would throw them on 1/8, and 1/4 ounce weights.  By the way if you throw the grubs, try using some bass Pro Shops.  All of these exist in my tackle box. 

[gall]

6 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

I lived in New Buffalo for 5 years and fished mostly from Selinsgrove to Front Royal.  I fished a lot of twintail grubs ( think beetle spins), 3 to 5 inch grubs and my favorite has always been the Kalin Lunker grubs. Use some 1/8 to 3/8 ounce heads.  For hard baits I used to fish Tiny Torpedoes, and regular sized torpedos, my favorite crankbait was a Rebel Humpy and the Baby 1 minus.  Also throw the 3 or 5 inch minnow baits like a Rapala original floater/divers. Both Norman and Berkley make some reasonably priced shallow divers as well.

 

The flukes and Bass Assasins were just coming out back then, but today I would seriously fish baits like a Reaction Innovations Skinny Dipper and regular dipper on belly weighted swimbait hooks and the fish head style swimbait jigheads like Picasso makes. i would throw them on 1/8, and 1/4 ounce weights.  By the way if you throw the grubs, try using some bass Pro Shops.  All of these exist in my tackle box. 

I don't think you realize how badly I was hoping to hear from you and small jaw. I honestly take both your guys advice to heart and hasn't let me down. Torpedo are hands down my favorite hard bait after swapping hooks tweaking props etc. The smallies and musky got nuts over the bullfrog pattern around here. Funny you mention the swimbaits I was gonna throw those a lot more this coming spring and summer. Also I hope Santa got me a bps gift card for Xmas ha. Like I said I ordered some cranks from adam's customs,thsy dice 1-3ft with a nice wobble and heavy enough (3/8oz) I can use casting gear. Sorru for the rambling but I'm glad your back and doing well. 

[fishnkamp]

I did forget one more favorite toy and that was the Pop R.  Another good crank is definitely the Bandit 100s

[gall]

20 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

I did forget one more favorite toy and that was the Pop R.  Another good crank is definitely the Bandit 100s

I never gave poppers much of a try in current might be something new too. I'll look up Bandit right now and see what they got. I was hoping to find one that had smallmouth coloration to it not sure where to start. 

[fishnkamp]

When I fished the river I had one rod rigged with the bottom bouncing lures one with a crank and usually one spinning rod to throw the light Pop Rs.  I would float a section of the river and the topwater was used when I stopped above a rock ledge and fish the face where the current was slower. It would also get used at the"shoot" where the fast water went through the rock ledge and the backwash just below the shoot meet. Some of my biggest bass came from places like that.  Also if you fish around a grass bed the current is just a bit slower just above and below the grass bed. I loved dropping an anchor and getting out to wade these type of fishing opportunities. Some of my favorite sections to fish were near Selinsgrove, Liverpool, and Middletown.  The ledges near the Airport used to produce a lot of fish.

[gall]

1 hour ago, fishnkamp said:

When I fished the river I had one rod rigged with the bottom bouncing lures one with a crank and usually one spinning rod to throw the light Pop Rs.  I would float a section of the river and the topwater was used when I stopped above a rock ledge and fish the face where the current was slower. It would also get used at the"shoot" where the fast water went through the rock ledge and the backwash just below the shoot meet. Some of my biggest bass came from places like that.  Also if you fish around a grass bed the current is just a bit slower just above and below the grass bed. I loved dropping an anchor and getting out to wade these type of fishing opportunities. Some of my favorite sections to fish were near Selinsgrove, Liverpool, and Middletown.  The ledges near the Airport used to produce a lot of fish.

Middletown that's one nice area, even the swatara produces nicely. I used the torpedo in the same fashion a lot also above current breaks or seems where they would hold up waiting for food. The spots always had a dug out before the break and they would hold up in there or in the tail waters of thr riffles. Also in calmer water around isolated boulders that always drew up a strike with torpedo. I forgot to mention gaines cripples killer it quiet possibly edges out the torpedo for me. I notice myself using a lot more finesse approach overall. Whether it be tube, shakey head light Texas right etc. I think that's why I'm trying to get into these other baits more to get more confidence in other areas in moving water. 

[fishnkamp]

One other bait to try is a chatterbait in like 1/4 to 3/8 with a swimbait body like the Keitech or Reaction Innovation Skinny Dipper. These work really well.

[gall]

23 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

One other bait to try is a chatterbait in like 1/4 to 3/8 with a swimbait body like the Keitech or Reaction Innovation Skinny Dipper. These work really well.

I'm so glad your back and active on here ha. Honestly you and smalljaw are a Stephen hawking and Einstein of current smallies. 

[Boomstick]

I fish a lot of shallower areas that often tend to be rocky too, so I use 17lb mono on my cranking reel. A KVD 1.5 or Norman Fat boy is always a good bet, but I'd start with the KVD's because you can get them cheaper until you figure out how regularly you use them.

[gall]

On 12/21/2017 at 7:54 PM, Boomstick said:

I fish a lot of shallower areas that often tend to be rocky too, so I use 17lb mono on my cranking reel. A KVD 1.5 or Norman Fat boy is always a good bet, but I'd start with the KVD's because you can get them cheaper until you figure out how regularly you use them.

I was looking at those too I like the bagley also,im still waiting on the order from adam's customs to get here. 

[Boomstick]

On ‎12‎/‎24‎/‎2017 at 4:07 PM, gall said:

I was looking at those too I like the bagley also,im still waiting on the order from adam's customs to get here. 

I just realized that I meant to say to start with the KVDs until you figure out how much you LOSE them, not use them. But the Norman Fat Boys are probably my all around favorites, they aren't terribly expensive and they move a lot of water.

[gall]

I really started looking into them and the Manns. I figure maybe get some of the BPS ones and Ave some money on that avenue too. 

[Turkey sandwich]

There are some really good suggestions on here.  Like usual, I agree with @smalljaw67.  I fish the North Branch a bit further upstream pretty regularly and crankbaits are some of my favorites for covering water, especially while working shorelines, 3-6' runs, and tailouts.  I have always loved Rapala's Fat Raps, and have really, really grown to like the DT series. DT 4,6, and 10s have boated me a lot of fish in the last 2 years.  They deflect extremely well and by swapping between depths, I've found that I can cover a ton of different retrieves, whether the smallies prefer something lightly nicking the tops of boulders or something dredging gravel.

 

During the summer and through the fall, I will always have at least one crank bait rod on my kayak.  There's lot of good advice on here already, but I'll add a few.  During the day, especially bright days during the heat of summer,  the very heads and tail outs of pools can be incredible patterns as fish will often hold just a little bit deeper.  Having something that runs a little big deeper here can be clutch and a great way to pick up big fish.  Also remember, predators are generally going to prefer a presentation that mimics baitfish moving WITH the current versus against it.  (it's more natural, fewer spines to deal with, etc).  Another great time and place to fish a crank bait is along weed edges in the mornings and evenings.  This can be a great way to catch big fish, as (in my experience) this is when you're most likely to find larger fish, typically 16"+ crashing shallow weeds chasing baitfish, frogs, mice, crayfish, and anything else roaming the shallows as daylight begins to fade.  This is also another time when poppers and prop baits like @fishnkamp mentioned shine.   In 2017, the Whopper Plopper 90 also really earned my respect in these conditions.

 

A few notes for fishing crankbaits in fast, turbulent water:  Bulk and noise can be good things.  These are going to be super active fish if they're holding in the fast stuff, even if they're stacked behind a giant boulder.  The water is going to be fast and loud, so don't be concerned about rattles and subtlety.  The good thing about KNOWING that these fish are going to be super active, means you can fish big, wide wobbling baits (Those big, fat Normans someone mentioned above can be GREAT here). 

[Smbass19]

I fish a shallow river sometimes as well. I like xcalibur XR100. They're discontinued but you can find them on eBay and other sites. Bandit 100 also excellent. Also, check out the rebel humpback. They were discontinued for a long time, but they just brought them back. Run very shallow, but are great for smallies. Strike King Pro model Series 1 are very similar to bandit 100. 

[Boomstick]

On 12/14/2017 at 11:42 AM, TnRiver46 said:

You will lose a lot so I would go with a cheap (er) one. H20 express makes good ones for $3

Seconded. Plus you will take the paint off of them as well.

[gall]

Thank you guys for all the great advice. I got some cranks from adam's and they look amazing and perfect running depth. A local tackle shop is having their bass fest so I'm gonna try to stock up on stuff for up coming thaw out .

Thank you guys for all the great advice. I got some cranks from adam's and they look amazing and perfect running depth. A local tackle shop is having their bass fest so I'm gonna try to stock up on stuff for up coming thaw out .

[WI_Angler1989]

I'm a bit late to the party, but I've had some really good luck with Spro Fat Johns in the big and small sizes. The Fat John runs 2-4 (I think) and the Baby say 0-2 roughly. They've run really well in the fast, shallow and rocky rivers I fish. Never got snagged more than I could get off of from shore even. It took a big ole Pike to finally lose my Fat John 60.

[gall]

Thank you guys for all the great advice. I got some cranks from adam's and they look amazing and perfect running depth. And nerve too late to the party ha. I was hoping someone would mention those I've read great reviews about them. I deff need a crank that can take  a good beating. 

[WI_Angler1989]

 

Thank you guys for all the great advice. I got some cranks from adam's and they look amazing and perfect running depth. And nerve too late to the party ha. I was hoping someone would mention those I've read great reviews about them. I deff need a crank that can take  a good beating. 

They can definitely take a beating! Super durable bill and finish on them. I really like the smaller 50 size and have had crazy days on smallies and pike with them!

[ZebcoZak]

Rebel wee craw is my most used crank by far in the shallow rovers and streams on central Ohio.  Early in the year I fish the Teeny Wee Craw with upsized treble hooks to make it slowly sink to the bottom.  With a slow "twitch twitch pause" retrieve I don't know if I have ever had as much success as with that thing.  In fast moving water it gets tossed around far too much to be as effective, but in the kind of streams where you can cast to the other side, and wade through *** foot depths it is a killer.  Will grab a few rock bass with it as well, which always help keep the action hot.

[gall]

On 1/14/2018 at 6:25 PM, WI_Angler1989 said:

They can definitely take a beating! Super durable bill and finish on them. I really like the smaller 50 size and have had crazy days on smallies and pike with them!

I'll have to get some, I'm trying to pull away from My usual river /creek baits. This year it's gonna be more working on other baits to. Boost my. Confidence (spinnerbaits, cranks etc.)