Crank Bait Question

[boomdigity]

I know when you are cranking around structure and weeds you want it to hit it deflect off it but what about open water. What are some of the ways to make the crank bait change direction like it hit something. Just guess I would say while holding the rod off the side pump it up or down or maye sweep it to the other side and crank it a couple times. thanks in advance for the advise.

[Hookemdown.]

Well, there's nothing to deflect off of except the bottom of the lake. I like to take a crank that dives deeper than the depth of the water and scrape the bottom (especially in sandy areas) which throws up dirt.

The only time I fish a crank in the open water column is targeting suspended fish.

These fish will follow the crank sometimes but not hit it, so try to throw in a few pauses here and there.  The fish will run right into it.

[JigNBig]

If your fishing a crankbait, you have to hit something. Throw a crankbait that runs deep enough to contact the bottom. If your looking for suspended or schooling fish use either a topwater or a lipless crankbait.

[hawgchaser]

I know when you are cranking around structure and weeds you want it to hit it deflect off it but what about open water. What are some of the ways to make the crank bait change direction like it hit something. Just guess I would say while holding the rod off the side pump it up or down or maye sweep it to the other side and crank it a couple times. thanks in advance for the advise.

Crankbaits are VERY effective for suspended fish. You don't have to be bouncing off of structure to catch fish. However, there are some crankbaits that have more action than others. I like a wide wobbling crank like a warthawg for bass suspended in trees or anytype of structure.

I use the Arkansas Magnum Warthawgs but now they are made by STorm.  The watermelon has been the smallmouth killer this year for me.

http://www.***.com/descpageHDCSTORM-SWWDD.html#

The Tennessee shad has been better for LMB.

I like something like the Lucky Craft Flat CB12 in Ghost Minnow for open water no structure fishing.

[daviscw]

I have caught fish before just chunking and reeling. Banging a crankbait is not a have to.

[Marty]

You've answered your own question, do it with rod movement, up/down/left/right.

If your fishing a crankbait, you have to hit something.

That just is not true, as my partners and I have caught countless fish where the lure wasn't hitting anything. I'm not saying that hitting something won't possibly increase your chances, but one of the things that happens when you hit something is there is a change in direction and speed, both of which can be done with the rod and/or reel.

[Brian_Reeves]

I like to cover open water with cranks and spinnerbaits when I'm beating banks.  Usually there is nothing there, but occasionally I'll pull a fish or two off of a bare stretch of water.  I usually just cast and reel in these situations.  Not sure if that's what you're looking for.

[wilsonm1]

what i do with a crankbait is reel it and almost fish it a little like a jerkbait. i gives it a little different action that triggers the fish . you dont have to hit something to get fish. the biggest fish i catch are in open water.:)it works for me

[CookieMonst3r]

x2 I like to twitch it a little then, stop which triggers a strike most the time.