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Thread: Crankbait question

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    Default Crankbait question


    I’m getting interested in starting to to try trolling cranks and need input. I ll be primarily on green, what’s go to crank bait choice? I’ve seen a lot of pico Arkey and bandit. I’m wondering what’s the quickest and easiest bait to reach desired depth. Looks like line counter reels are pretty important to , thinking about investing in some . Thanks

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    Quote Originally Posted by bkgooch View Post
    I’m getting interested in starting to to try trolling cranks and need input. I ll be primarily on green, what’s go to crank bait choice? I’ve seen a lot of pico Arkey and bandit. I’m wondering what’s the quickest and easiest bait to reach desired depth. Looks like line counter reels are pretty important to , thinking about investing in some . Thanks
    I just started messing with crankbaits a few weeks ago. I went with BnM trolling rods and a couple from Jenko. I also went with some Okuma line counter reels and a few Bandit 300s. I have a few other cranks, but the bandits have worked just fine. It had been super successful and I enjoy it much more than pulling jigs or spinners, which is what I was doing before. If you want to PM me, I can share where I got my stuff and where it still may be in stock. Good luck!


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    BANDITS I like the best. As far as getting them down to desired depth I push so I can't answer that question. I always use line counter reels no matter what kind of trolling I do...As far as poles go I use bnm power trollers so I can use a lot of weight but if you are not pushing they maybe a little to stiff.
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    My partner and I love pulling cranks. My advise is to download the precision trolling app on Google play to your phone. It has most all crank baits on there and will tell you how much line to let out and speeds to run to get the depth you want. Line counters aren't needed if you can guess your line out pretty well but they do make it easier. We use the cheaper Shakespeare reels, like $30 each. We run 8 rods, 16', 12' 8' and any rod straight out. Usually a 7'. We use bandits and arkies mostly. When we fish green river chartuse and blue work well. Its a lot of fun. Oh and big sweeping turns are your friend.

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    I enjoy pulling cranks but it’s a huge investment. Rods and counter reels and remote control trolling motor and gps fish finder to monitor speed and depth. Not to mention all the crank baits your about to spend all your lunch money on.

    Sometimes I think it would be cheaper to just pay a guide and let them treat me instead of me trying to figure it out.


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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pondbuster View Post
    I enjoy pulling cranks but it’s a huge investment. Rods and counter reels and remote control trolling motor and gps fish finder to monitor speed and depth. Not to mention all the crank baits your about to spend all your lunch money on.

    Sometimes I think it would be cheaper to just pay a guide and let them treat me instead of me trying to figure it out.


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    There are guides like me who specialize in pulling cranks. I’ve taught many of the other guides on Ky Lake. A day on the water will give you everything you need to know to decide if you want to get into it.

    I’ve gone to Diawa Accudepth Plus reels for one reason ... line getting behind the spools on cheaper reels. When I’m pulling all day 5-6 days a week, I need to keep my work on equipment to a minimum. Since I switched I’ve not had a single instance of line behind the spool.


    I use $30 Berkeley Cherrywood 7 foot rods off the back along with my Southern Crappie Rods in longer lengths.

    As far as baits, I’m going to start with Pico INTs. According to Precision Trolling Data, they will dive 3 or more feet deeper than a Bandit 300.

    If anybody wants some Okuma and Shakespeare line counter reels, I have some I just dug out of my boat, maybe 6, that I’ll sell loaded with new line. I also have hundreds of extra cranks I’ll part with. Many custom painted.


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    I love Jenko crankbaits since they are a Kentucky company, buy local. Great color selection too, and great pricing especially if you can get in on a holiday sale (check their Facebook page for sale codes). I also order blanks from wLure, the UPC 733 specifically, and paint my own colors which adds an additional element of fun when you have your own special colors that no one else does.

    As for depth, it depends a lot on trolling speed, line diameter, how high the rod tip is above the water, etc. The more you troll the more you'll learn and get a feel for what depth you're at (especially after you hit bottom a few times to confirm).

    I use these three rods on each side of the boat:
    1. Southern Crappie Rods, which are Kevlar, the SCR 143T, about a $50 rod, I use it also for spider rigging
    2. BnM Trolling Rod, PST 102N, about a $30 rod, works well
    3. Regular 7 ft crankbait rod, the Berkley Cherrywood casting rod MR DUX recommends is a great value, about $25

    Line counter reels are a must, both the Shakespeare and Okuma brands are low-budget starter reels and work fine but wear quickly, Daiwa has a few that are a little better; if you really get into it you might eventually upgrade after 3 or 4 years to something a little nicer once the gears start wearing out (where I'm currently at). A few large catfish and large drum over the past few seasons have put a hurting on some of my cheap Shakespeare ATS line counters. The Shakespeare ATS also is bad about line getting in between the spool and frame if you use any mono line size smaller than 15 lb.

    MR DUX has gotten a lot of people started on trolling for crappie, I had always trolled for white bass and after attending a few of MR DUX's seminars I was able to figure out how to troll for crappie. It's fun and my kids love reeling them in! Thanks MR DUX for all that you do to help educate people on the ways of trolling!
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  8. #8
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    The reels and cranks are sold.


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    Any more crank baits for sale?


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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pondbuster View Post
    Any more crank baits for sale?


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    I’ll have to sort them out to see. I know I have some c55s. Just don’t know how many. Those are customs.


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