Crankin' Preferences of the Smallmouth

[FIN-S-R]

Have you guys noticed that smallies preferentially hit certian type of cranks. Does action, say a wobble as opposed to a wiggle make a difference, or general color patterns, say a contrasting pattern as opposed to a gradual blend or solid color seem to be a preference? I notice some cranks I use tend to only stick pig smallies, and others only dinks, and still others only LMB all in the same lake on the same spot. Now in considering this, please negate the probable variation in water color, lighting conditions, and other factors that may change from day to day, and just focus on the differences or lack there of btw the SMB and LMB when crankin'.

My personal observation from review of notes, is that I generally get a better pig smallie bite on those cranks that lean toward the more extreme end of the scales. For instance, a white/ green back DLN seems to produce good numbers of LMB and some medium size SMB. But when I implement the same crank with a little chart on it, it tends to stick pig smallies and fewer LMB. Same with action, the same color scheme in two different models, say a DLN as Opposed to a DT with a tighter more frantic wiggle, the DT seems to produce more smallie strikes than does the DLN which produces more LMB bites. This also seems to hold true toward the wobble end of the scale, wheras I have had good luck for chunk LMB on a DD22, and then the same color pattern Daiwa DT Titan Dragger (a really wide wobble) seems to stick more SMB.

How about Jerk Baits? I have had little or no luck for big smallies on jerks, deep or shallow, slow or fast. What do you guys notice is a good rule for what I have heard is the ultimate big smallie bait?

[Deuceu72]

I personally like plastics and jigs for BIG smallies, but if we're talking about crankin, my fav is a lipless crankbait. These produce the best for me when it comes to smallies. I also love jerkbaits, especially in the spring.

[FIN-S-R]

Well I have noticed the same pattern with lipless cranks too. A red vibe seems to catch more smallies, while a ghost shad vibe will stick LMB. And a kinami hard bait vibration bait or LVR will do a number on LMB, while the Vibe or Sigoi tends to do a better job on SMB.

[roadwarrior]

Most of the biggest smallmouth I have caught on artificial lures have been caught on jerkbaits, specifically full size Rapala Husky Jerk (blue & silver) and Lucky Craft Pointer 128 (American Shad). I think smaller lures (X-Rap, Pointer 100 & 78) would catch far more fish, but I feel that larger lures catch bigger fish.

[heathen]

When it comes to crank baits I think the action of the bait has more to do with a strike than the color.

I prefer square billed cranks myself.

As for jerk baits, I think the color matters as well as the presentation. I like LC 100's in American Shad, Chartreuse Shad, Ghost Minnow, and Nikishi (clown).

[CJ]

Fall seems to be the best time for crankbaits(jerkbaits for pre-spawn) on Ky.Lake,usually because of the more and higher water discharges,IMO.The Bomber Fat Free Shad in Citrus Shad has been one of the best along with a Norman DLN(depth pending).

[Nick B]

I have caught smallies out here with Rattlin Rapalas

[basspro48]

I always seem to catch bigger smallmouth on big deep diving cranks in citrus type colors, and IMO the suspending jerkbait is the best bait of all time for monster smallies. The standard Lucky Craft Pointer 100 works good but the Slender Pointer 112 is like a smallmouth magnet. During one outing me and my buddy caught 25 smallmouth over 2lbs. in 1 hour, and my buddy even hooked a monster but it bent his hooks. It's just something about the aggressive darting action and perfect suspension of the Slender Pointer that smallmouth just can't resist.

[wvubassfan]

I have to say that the pointers from the 78 and up have been my best bait for the smallies.

I have had good luck with DT's but for the money it is hard to beat the bandit 300 mad cow

i don't know why but that is what i catch my pigs on

[CJ]

I was waiting on someone to mention a Slender Pointer,Basspro48.I picked one up in MS MJ Herring(same as Americsn Shad except has a puke brown back instead of turquois).It's just got smallie wrote all over it.

[WCCT]

As far as cranks go, I would have to say a Baby Hot Lips in a craw pattern.  I get some really big smallies in the spring by fishing this really fast and erratic.  

[Master_Hunter_1977]

I would have to say spring time my lunkers would be on a hotlip and it summer to fall would be a lipless crank

tight lines

scott

[Bud]

         I was waiting on someone to mention a Slender Pointer,Basspro48.I picked one up in MS MJ Herring(same as Americsn Shad except has a puke brown back instead of turquois).It's just got smallie wrote all over it.        

When you find out CJ let me know.  I have a couple like that

[basser89]

Bandit 100 and 200's as well as Rebel Wee R's. I just started throwing jerkbaits for smallies last year. Rogues brought me a lot of luck!

[Munkin]

Bandits or a big o in crayfish pattern banged off every rock you can find in the river. Try killing the bait when you get it close to the boat? a lot of SM will grab the bait as it stops. More than once I have tried to make a cast and there was a SM on the end of the line.

Allen

[kbkindle]

kb here   munkin took the words right out of my mouth   here on my home lakes i allways have a big o tied on and also a 100 series bandit.   one day i can go out and they want a wide wobble like a bandit the next day a big o with a tight wiggle  in the bigo's  they like firetiger and chrome black back and super shad  in the bandit they want purple with stripes   and mistake colors work the best for me  kb

[Craw]

I've had the most success with Bomber Model As. The 6A and 7A specifically. Brown crawdad, green crawdad and firetiger. Those baits are the staple cranks here in my neck of the woods.

[justfishin]

Yea Craw, I forgot to include the 6A and 7A. Hell, I have a whole box of them. I like them in Olive, Firetiger and Red the best. They are hard on those smallies.

[CK14]

jointed shad-raps, and deep divers like bay hot lips.

[MALTESE FALCON]

For me it's, Shad Raps jointed and straight, Rattlin Raps, C.C. Grappler Shad, Frenzy divers, X-Raps.

Falcon

[squid]

LIPLESS CRANKBAIT IN ROOTBEER FOR THE DETROIT RIVER WORKS GREAT.

[Danceswithbass]

A 4" swim bait is a deadly bait for big small mouth. You wont get the numbers with it, but when you hookup with a fish you can bet it will be 3lbs or better. What ever you do dont let them jump, those swimbaits are easy for the fish to throw. Also Norman deep little N in night train color(crome/purple) is great on small mouth.

[FIN-S-R]

swim baits and DLNs???? WHat body of water do you throw them on for big brownies? im wise to the DLN thing, but I usually dont bust out the swim baits until im kicker huntin.

[bronzebackcrippler]

Wow! It's amazing how closely everyone agrees on crankbaits for smallies.

For me in the spring I have great luck on red 2 and 300 Bandits.

Any other time of the year it's any shad colored model A.

Team Daiwa jerkbaits and X-Raps work good year round.

[Danceswithbass]

Fin I promise you will get bit on a 4" swim bait. I used them last year for the first time for smb and they were the bomb on Texoma Eufaula and Tenkiller. I caught a 5lber on Tenkiller with it last May. There aint a lot of smb in killer, but they do like that bait.

swim baits and DLNs???? WHat body of water do you throw them on for big brownies? im wise to the DLN thing, but I usually dont bust out the swim baits until im kicker huntin.