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Thread: Crankbaits

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    Default Crankbaits


    I am curious about crankbaits. I am not promoting nor demoting any brand. Just looking for differences. My method for crappie is trolling Bandit 300s or Norman Deep Little Ns and I catch fish. Certain brands like Pico, Arkie, and similar have models described as "crappie" crankbaits. What are the differences on the water? I'm sure you all have your favorites. What do they do well that makes them your favorite? Does anything make them more of a crappie lure than Bandits or Normans?

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    I crankbait fish a lot. Primarily for walleyes. With that we utilize several different bait styles, sizes, brands, and color schemes.

    A big difference between baits is the action they produce at different speeds. Some baits will dive and then, when you surge on a wave they will float or flutter upwards (bouyant). Others will stay suspended such as a husky jerk.

    Some baits match or mimic local forage. They might kill the fish in the south but you won't catch anything in the north with them. Just as color patterns work better on certain bodies of water due to water clarity.

    On my trolling boat, I think we have no less than 500 cranks from 10 different companies. Some guys will say "I only use X". Unfortunately, they also run in to days when fish just don't want that style of bait.

    They all have their uniqueness. From how far they dive, whether they suspend, do they shake or flutter, roll or wobble. Some give off a rattle, some a vibration.

    Unless a company is using the same blank (doubtfull) as another and simply adding paint, all of them have different characteristics that can be deadly on any given day.

    One key that many don't realize is the proper tuning of a crank bait. I have an article coming out this month that will detail this along with tools to help aid in tuning.

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    Thanks wicklundrh. Like you ... I have or had hundreds. Been using them for 40+ years. Every color, depth, pattern etc. Most of mine are dedicated to bass, walleye, or pike. The brands I have are touted as such in the product description. Others are specifically called "crappie" models. There is my confusion. The characteristic that makes them specific to crappie. All of mine catch crappie but not described as such

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    Quote Originally Posted by silverside View Post
    Thanks wicklundrh. Like you ... I have or had hundreds. Been using them for 40+ years. Every color, depth, pattern etc. Most of mine are dedicated to bass, walleye, or pike. The brands I have are touted as such in the product description. Others are specifically called "crappie" models. There is my confusion. The characteristic that makes them specific to crappie. All of mine catch crappie but not described as such

    I believe the baits are just "labeled" as Crappie baits by those companies, to corner the market and money of crank trollers, and are no different from those made for other species.

    There are companies that are strictly "Crappie bait" making companies, and they have joined in with cranks of their own, so the "Bass crankbait" making companies are labeling certain styles of cranks to garner customers from both groups.

    But, that's just my opinion.
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    Quote Originally Posted by silverside View Post
    I am curious about crankbaits. I am not promoting nor demoting any brand. Just looking for differences. My method for crappie is trolling Bandit 300s or Norman Deep Little Ns and I catch fish. Certain brands like Pico, Arkie, and similar have models described as "crappie" crankbaits. What are the differences on the water? I'm sure you all have your favorites. What do they do well that makes them your favorite? Does anything make them more of a crappie lure than Bandits or Normans?
    ... Not demoting any brand............Main differences besides color and color scheme are......
    dive speed
    wiggle
    vibration
    sound
    depth

    And no crankbait is really crappie specific....they will all catch many species
    I have spent most my life fishing........the rest I wasted.
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    What G said. I've caught them on size 3 flicker shad, Pico's, flat fish, tadpoles, tadpolies, hot n tots, wee warts, thundersticks, rapalas in all sizes. Come to think of it, about the only thing I haven't caught them on is a suik bait for muskey

    Sent from my SM-J320V using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
    I have OCD "Obsessive Crappie Disorder"
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    Quote Originally Posted by CrappiePappy View Post
    I believe the baits are just "labeled" as Crappie baits by those companies, to corner the market and money of crank trollers, and are no different from those made for other species.

    There are companies that are strictly "Crappie bait" making companies, and they have joined in with cranks of their own, so the "Bass crankbait" making companies are labeling certain styles of cranks to garner customers from both groups.

    But, that's just my opinion.
    CP & G figured out what I was after. I thought maybe they were made differently or had a specific "crappie" enticing action.

    I feel the need to apologize. I have had some permanent brain damage for last few years so... I think maybe that I knew what I wanted to ask but was asking incorrectly.

    Thank you all for your input!

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    Many of the "Crappie Cranks" come in colors that many bass fishermen will scoff at. Absolutely true story; Rickie and I stopped at Fast Eddies near KY Lake a couple of years ago. I grabbed a couple of hot pink Bandit 200s and headed to the check-out. A bass tourney friend of mine asked what those were for. I told him we were trolling with them for crappie. His exact words--"I'm too manly to have pink crankbaits in my bass boat!" He then started to grill me about how I was catching so many nice crappie when he couldn't catch enough to stink up a skillet. I shook the Bandits in his face and walked out to my truck.

    I've caught crappie on just about every crankbait known as well as many that were dragged out of the deep recesses of bass tackle boxes I hadn't used in years. A "crappie crankbait" is the one you are dragging thru the water in search of crappie--period.

    I will say this, I started using the new PICO cranks as soon as Mitch got some painted in early summer and my results were amazing. I think fish get use to certain baits and when something new comes along, it can really make a difference. Our catch rates when using the PICOs went from mid-teen keepers on a typical trip to 28-30 per trip with clients. That lasted for almost 2 months in September and October on KY Lake.
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    Crappie crankbait? An addiction that can’t be stopped.
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    Quote Originally Posted by crp4570 View Post
    Crappie crankbait? An addiction that can’t be stopped.
    Crankbaits in general! I need more like a hole in the head but I just can't stop.

    Everytime I stand at a new display I keep repeating to myself "Hi, my name is Rich and I have a problem".

    Doug, the last time I talked to a bass guy, I had to go home and wash my mouth out with soap!
    I have OCD "Obsessive Crappie Disorder"

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