SANDING THE SHINE OFF CRANKS

[Harold Scoggins]

You want me to do what?? I just finished reading an article where the author picked up a few more bites in cold water by removing the shine from his cranks using 220 and 320 grit sandpaper. It had something to do with fish coming out of the winter sporting a lighter, dull look. After sanding some of his cranks to a more, matte finished he claimed he was able to put a few more bass into the boat. I guess if my livelihood depended on putting bass in the boat I could do it, but taking sandpaper to some of my high-end lures, that's asking a lot.

Anyone of you do this? Thoughts? 

[flyfisher]

nope, they get dulled out enough by themselves.  I have read articles where Mike Iaconelli said he used to leave his baits on the dashboard of his truck to fade them out prior to fishing them.

[OkobojiEagle]

I have a couple of "sexy shad" colored suspending jerkbaits I've scraped the paint off both the back and bellies, then used a yellow permanent marker to tint the backs.  I like to use them when there's a bright sky.

 

oe

[iabass8]

You don't need to sand them to achieve this. Put them in your car window for a week and the brightness will fade. 

[Deleted account]

It's a thing. 

[Bankbeater]

No way. They get beat up enough through regular use. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

There’s no way to prove it was the dull finish that got extra bites. Could have just been timing, positioning, any number of variables. A shiny lure might have caught the same fish but you’ll never know. On the flip side, if it gives you added confidence it won’t hurt either. 

[WRB]

A dull finish lure verses a glossy finish lure when wet....think there is a  difference?

only in the eye of the anger!

Tom

[Spankey]

8 hours ago, WRB said:

A dull finish lure verses a glossy finish lure when wet....think there is a  difference?

only in the eye of the anger!

Tom

You are probably right. You have to run with your gut instinct. Keeps your mind right. 

[JohnFromLisbon]

Swindle "ages" his baits too. Personally, I couldn't bring myself to doing this to my precious Rapalas, but hey... Like BassWhole! said, it's a thing.

 

Even the "Ike's Custom Ink" colors they have are based on how the lures look when Iaconelli left them on the dash of his truck, in the sun. They'd fade a little, and he says they worked better.