Crank bait Fishing Newbie

[Joe_w1234]

So I’ve never really used crankbaits, never caught any fish on them. What are some tips for a newbie crank fisherman like me? I have some nice squarebills, but I just don’t have much confidence in them. 

[BassNJake]

On a boat or on the bank?

 

I have never fished one from the bank so others might be able to help with that situation.

 

I'm always letting mine bounce of the bottom.

Either at a real slow crawl or so that its just banging the tops of the rocks.

 

I do this with shallow square bills to the ones that dive 20+ feet.

If I'm fishing and the bottom is 10 feet, I want a crank that runs 12 feet that way i know its hitting the intended area

 

Also get a lure retriever they make some that are telescoping and others that are a big weight that slides down the line.

First time I bought one it paid for itself the same day, saving me from losing 2 or 3 baits.

I now have 2 because I have had to use my lure retriever to get my lure retriever. lol

 

If you are slow crawling it and it gets stuck, sometimes just giving it slack will allow it to float out of what it is hooked on

 

[jimmyjoe]

   It would be helpful to know what part of the country you're fishing, and whether lakes or rivers, depth of water, and whether you're a boatman or a shorecaster.

[Joe S]

Crankbaits are great for covering a lot of water and water depth.    But there are a few things to keep in mind when using them: 

 

1) Remember that cranks are designed to trigger reactionary strikes from fish.   They have a tight wobble pattern to give off a fleeing sense directly to the lateral line of a predatory fish.   It the fish are waiting for a meal to dift by their nose or dangle near by (like when using a drop shot) then a crank just wont bring them in.  

 

2) The great thing about crankbaits is you can cover many depths simply by changing up to one with a longer bill.  As you noted the square bill is for shallower water and also designed to bounce of the bottom structure.  This kicks up the bottom and helps to call-in the hogs.  Make sure you are knocking it on the bottom. 

 

3) As with other lures... color can matter.  Something too flashy in clear water might spook instead of entice.  Something muted in stained water might not be visible enough to strike.  Be sure you are selecting for the conditions of the water and the local forage. 

 

4) Most minnow-type lures do better with a little rod twiching on the retrieve.   nothing dramatic but enough to give the lure a bit of erratic motion instead of a steady predictable retrieve.  This can enhance the 'fleeing' or injured bait look to temp the big 'uns.  

 

Crankbaits should have a place in every fisherman's tackle box but you do have to grow your confidence in using them over time. 

 

 

[JediAmoeba]

They arent great from shore.  The way they dive they work better casting parallel to shore or into shore.  

They can still work well but they usuallyvwork better if banging off of things - whether its rock, grass, stumps or wood...

[Joe_w1234]

12 hours ago, BassNJake said:

On a boat or on the bank?

 

12 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

   It would be helpful to know what part of the country you're fishing, and whether lakes or rivers, depth of water, and whether you're a boatman or a shorecaster.

Im in Illinois, and i fish lakes and ponds from the shore, but also some small to large rivers sprinkled in.

 

Thank you to all who've replied with tips  

[Glenn]

 

[schplurg]

I love cranks!

 

I use cranks from shore often, but it depends on the shoreline and how steep it is - and how snaggy! Sometimes you need to reel slowly as you get near shore. But then again, you want it banging off the bottom, so what's the difference? Crank it in if you can do so without snagging every time.

 

Or wade in.

 

I have a video of me reeling a crank along a shallow shoreline - nearly parallel - and I say, "There, it's hitting the bottom now I can feel it" and I catch a fish one second later about 5 feet off shore in maybe 1.5 feet of water. First time I think I ever really properly fished one off the bottom (I'm still a rookie).

 

I've also caught fish with 3 different colored cranks from the same piece of shore within an hour. Not saying color doesn't matter, but it didn't then apparently

 

 

Dang I can't wait to fish tomorrow, and I don't care where!

[scaleface]

When fishing from shore , the terrain from deep to shallow is uphill  . I like to use sinking lipless baits , that way I can follow the contour the entire retrieve . It gets expensive snagging and losing baits however.    Good inexpensive alternative to cranks are 1/4 ounce Beetle spins , Road runners ,and  prerigged swimbaits . Anything that sinks and moves water . Pause every once in awhile and allow the bait to settle back to the bottom . This is a great way to fish riprap dams .