Thread: Looking for Crankbait tips

Ya, Ya, me too. How do we make the switch from pre spawn to post spawn? Speed, depth, bait etc..

Here's a video to get you started with a setup.
His next video will be on the water...
My Set Up For Trolling Crankbaits - May 20, 2021 (#30) - YouTube

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Guys around here that Push cranks are usually going @ ~1.8mph ... using 2-3oz trolling weights ... 14' rods (capable of handling the weights & cranks). Some use 10-16' rods to separate their spread better. Cranks are on 5' leaders, usually 6# test mono.

I use 1oz weights @ 1mph to Push jigs .... 2oz weights to Push cranks @ 1.5mph

A long handled, rubber coated net is another "must have".

If you don't have a chart showing diving depth of 100-200-300 series cranks (like Bandit) ... the best thing is to have line counter reels & try and keep your lines at near a 45deg angle, then you can "estimate" the depth of the crank by multiplying the length of line out by 0.6 --- OR figure 3ft of depth for every 5ft of line out. I always err on the side of shallower, rather than deeper when estimating crank depth ,,, since I rarely have my lines at an actual 45deg angle.

I know that my jig will track about a foot below my 1oz weights at 1mph ... and a 300 series crank will likely track at ~2ft or more behind a 2oz weight. Since you are "supposed" to only count the length of line out from the surface to the weight, I allow that extra diving depth of the crank to compensate for the length of line between the rod tip & surface when I'm setting the length of line out to reach a specific depth.

Just my opinion & limited experience Pushing cranks ... others may have variations or use different setups.

[QUOTE=Slabin_Sammy91;4141507]Last summer I tried pulling cranks a few times.. I think i was going way too fast and usually only caught1 crappie per attempt. I usually fish in Gravois but I put in at wigwam from time to time. I usually just spider rig double minnows but would like to get the hang of using cranks. I have a box of about $200 worth of bandits. Can I just use my pushing rods (16 footers). Not sure if my longer rods killed some of my


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I am not in the same conversation with Mike Baker, but I do have a lot of fun trolling, but I always long line. I use braided line with a leader and don't seem to get the depth that most dive curves suggest, but it is a fun relaxing way to fish. Usually quite effective, but I have not gotten to troll yet his year. Weather on my days off has not been cooperating. Hopefully this will be the week.

[QUOTE=1448sc;4141607]

Originally Posted by Slabin_Sammy91

Last summer I tried pulling cranks a few times.. I think i was going way too fast and usually only caught1 crappie per attempt. I usually fish in Gravois but I put in at wigwam from time to time. I usually just spider rig double minnows but would like to get the hang of using cranks. I have a box of about $200 worth of bandits. Can I just use my pushing rods (16 footers). Not sure if my longer rods killed some of my


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I use different poles for pulling crankbaits; I have 2 of each - 8’, 10’, 12’ & 14’ so they are spaced out to separate the crankbaits. I also have the line out further on my middle poles; example - 100’, 90’, 80’ & 70’.


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I use two 8 foot trolling rods and two 12 foot trolling rods. I experiment with depth until I find them and then put all 4 rods at the same depth. I rarely get tangled unless it is a larger white bass, large mouth, catfish or walleye. Those love to run through 2 or 3 lines. Then I feel like a guide for about 30 minutes while I untangle and re-tie everything. By the end of the summer, I am much more efficient at it. :-)

For LOZ I'd say the mid lake to lower end is going to be better for trolling cranks. Stay in deep water, I rarely troll under 30 feet and don't think they aren't in 50 to 70 fow b/c they are. I do not use weights, line counting reels, or any special equipment. If I'm trolling out the front I stagger my rods with a ten foot jigging pole. If I'm trolling out the back anything will work and the most I use is four. Just make as long of a cast as you can and your bait should be running at about the right depth on 6 to 10 pound test. I think April, May, June, and sometimes July are the best months to troll cranks. You don't have to hug the docks to tight, in fact I don't even get that close to docks most of the time. I keep my speed between 1.3 to 1.8 mph. Big creeks, coves, and bluffs all hold a lot of fish. As for baits I use Bandit 300's, Strike King 3XD's, Wiggle Warts, Hot n' Tots, Bomber Fat Free Guppy's, 6th Sense Curve, Arkie Cranks, Flicker Shads....well they hit about anything.