Picked up a couple new lures.

[Big_Bass_Rock]

Got two of the rapala rattle traps or whatever the rattling ones are called, one blueish and one a gray/white basically shad/minnow color. My friend got the green one.

Also got two storm crankbaits, the wiggle wart or whatever they're called. One a 8-9.5ft and the other 12ft.

Also got some 6" blue roboworms just cuz the 4" of that color have been working really well for me lately.

Hoping to get better at crankbaits/hard bait fishing in the near future. The place I usually go isn't very deep, maybe 8 or 10ft max, so I'm kind of scared to throw the deep divers or the sinking rattlers cuz I'll probably snag it on something and lose it. I've even managed to snag some T-rigged weightless worms in there so two trebles will hang up pretty quick.  

Anyways any tips on using these baits? I'm hoping to get out a couple times this week and try the new stuff out.

[moloch16]

Don't just chuck and crank the bait, add some action to the crank bait.  Try pausing your retrieve every now and then, especially when you go by some structure.  Vary your retrieve too - crank it slow and then give it a good rip through the water.

Varying your retrieve will get your lure more attention than just chucking and winding.

Fishing a crank near structure may sound foolish but it can be done.  You'll need to keep the lip pointed down so it roles over the structure.  You'll be surprised at the strikes you get when you're bumping your bait against something.  Much more effective than cranking through open water.

You can get a lure retriever to help with the snags.

[Big_Bass_Rock]

What is a lure retriever?

[roadwarrior]

Lure retriever:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=44428&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

[Big_Bass_Rock]

Thanks RW, that looks pretty cool, I'm gonna have to get myself one.

[Micro]

One thing that has been productive for me with Rat L Traps (and knock offs) in shad color is burning them along at the fastest speeds I can manage.  Normally I would fish them on a spinning rig with a 5.1:1 gear ratio.  In the fall when the shad are moving again en masse I found that retrieving them as fast as possible on a 6.3:1 baitcast is productive.   They buzz so loudy at these high speed retrieves that I can hear it and feel it in my aluminum boat.  I'm going to try the same technique with my 7.1:1 reels and see if that works as well.