Here in MA all we're allowed is 2 rods per person. Last time out we each had two rods out and I had one of mine pulling a crank. I had great luck on the one rod of mine pulling the crank. The other rod was a jig/plastic combo and my partner was using two rods with jig/plastic combos. There were several periods where my one crank rod consistently took more fish! Here are a couple of pics from that trip:
It works! Give it a try.