Pushing Crankbaits?

Any of you fellas push crankbaits (spider rigging style)? I've heard of it being done, but don't see a lot of info to support it. Maybe I haven't looked in the right place. I love jigging and slow trolling (the traditional way - pushing jigs/minnows), but have pondered trying the crankbait-pushing method. Was talking to Jeff White today (the Trolling King), and he's done flung a cravin' on me to try it, as I have vowed not to pull them. Anybody care to share what they know that works? What size cranks, deep or shallow runners, how much weight & and how you rig, etc...????

I'm all ears as well!!! I'm going to try it this summer as well. Lets just go tie some stuff on one day LJ and give it our best....

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Originally Posted by pstone

I'm all ears as well!!! I'm going to try it this summer as well. Lets just go tie some stuff on one day LJ and give it our best....

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Hey, I got real ready when I went to Wal-Mart this evening after work to pick up my BP medicine, and wondered back to the fishin stuff........and did something I ain't done in 20 years.......looked at crankbaits:cool:. Dedgum, them Normans are high!!! Anyway, I'm gonna be engineering me some pushin poles and shoppin for cranks.......and start somewhere;)

I'm gonna try that Power Trolling this summer. I ain't got a clue. Bout like my spider rigging abilities.:)

I got me a box full of Bandits just waiting for you to say the word....If you want we will try it out with mine to see if you like it, and if you do you can buy a bunch of em if you don't, you won't be out anything...

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Originally Posted by luvjign

Hey, I got real ready when I went to Wal-Mart this evening after work to pick up my BP medicine, and wondered back to the fishin stuff........and did something I ain't done in 20 years.......looked at crankbaits:cool:. Dedgum, them Normans are high!!! Anyway, I'm gonna be engineering me some pushin poles and shoppin for cranks.......and start somewhere;)

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Originally Posted by pstone

I got me a box full of Bandits just waiting for you to say the word....If you want we will try it out with mine to see if you like it, and if you do you can buy a bunch of em if you don't, you won't be out anything...

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I'm game;)

I have pushed crankbaits before. I love Bandit 300 series when long-line trolling, but I prefer the lipless rat-l-trap (tiny trap) when I push them. I can't say it's my favorite, but I have cuaght some crappie this way. I use 3 way swivels with a 3/8 drop shot weight on the bottom tag line. I am interested in some differant methods of pushing though.

Wally Marshall has a dvd out that will show you how to set them up for spider rig trolling. He even has a model crankbait out that costs less than the bandits too. BPS has the dvd and when i bought it, it was on sale. Crappie secrets uncovered 2. Price is $9.95. A really good instructional dvd.

Give it up. It don't work. Jeff and Wally are pulling your leg.:D:D:D:D

I have pushed and pulled crankbaits. Normally I catch more fish when I pull them. Pushing a crankbait gives you the advantage of knowing exactly how deep your fishing because of the large weight 3ft in front of the bait but it also puts you in range of noise from the trolling motor unless your using a kicker like on a pontoon boat.

I did a little of it last year. I would pull 4 cranks (2 off each side/front). Then I had 4 cranks pushing off my spider setup. I would attach a 2oz. weight with a 4ft. leader then the crank. Worked great.

spider rig them out the front and use the reelfoot setup to rig them. 3-way swivel @ top of your set-up..about 6-8 inches of line off 3rd swivel and attach first crankbait..drop about 2 feet of leader from 2nd swivel and about halfway down take a 1/2 oz egg sinker (w/ hole thru the sinker) and run your line thru the sinker 3-4 times. This will hold the sinker in place where you want it. Now attach your 2nd crank bait to the remaining line below the sinker. I use loop knots to tie to cranks..gives them much more action. When you drop the set-up into the water have your troling motor on and slowly lower it in watch your crankbaits running to make sure they are not snagged on the main line. Drop into the water and your cranking for crappies. You can use any crankbaits that somewhat imitate a minnow. Not to small but not too big either. I have had success using the cheap silver, minnow shaped renegade crankbaits you find @ wallyworld (walmart) in the fishing section (obviously). They will have them on bottom rack in a box for a $1 under the fishing lures. Sometimes they have them and sometimes they don't. BPS will also have deals on cranks from time to time. Get several when you find some you like. You will get broke off occasionally so don't buy 3-5 dollar cranks unless you just want to. You will catch other species once in awhile. Fun way to fish for crappie and can and will be successful.

Here's what i put together to explain to some that had questions of what pushing is.

Pullin' works better on clear lakes.

I've found pushing works better in Muddy water lakes.
Nice thing about pushing is you can turn the boat quickly and go back through a school.

Pullin' Takes about 400 yards to turn around and go through them again without crossing the lines.

I start at 1.0 mph and if they hit at that speed and set it up .2mph until I'm not getting hits and then back down again.

Bandits work really well, but I had to buy some Rapala #4 Suspending shad raps on days when I have to start and stop to get them to hit.

G>

papermouth's 2nd illustration is one I was trying to describe above. Nice job on the picture..much easier for someone to see it than read it.

What type of rod are you useing to hold up that much weight??

Can somebody put this thread in the "Archives - Stuff we don't want to lose forum" too? This is a very helpful and informative thread.

BB, just my normal 12' jig rods I usually troll with.. I don't go that heavy on the weight but I could if I needed to. an ounce or 2 trolling cranks isn't much weight on the rods.

Like I've told several folks, I keep trying it from time to time, but ain't
had much luck with it - I think the clear water up here is hurting it some,
and after reading this, I think I may just be trying to push too fast.
Thanks for the tips guys :)

I had been trying to push as fast as I pull, 1.7 give or take, and it sweeps
even 6 oz weights ran off the bow way back under the boat.
I tried some 10 ouncers... but about came to the conclusion that
if that's what it takes, I'm out - ain't often you'll see me say that.

I'm gonna try slowing down the next time I experiment with it.
I'm using 16' BnM slotrollers that I have cut a foot off the tip and
replaced the tip guides - handles it pretty well, just got to build up
some confidence in it I guess. Hard to keep at something when it's
giving you fits when I know pulling works ;):D

Kit Papermouth how long of a leader are you using from the three way to the crankbait?

jwhite, you don't have to go fast and I rarely use anything bigger than 1 oz weight. let the crankbait do the work..it will dive down and move on it's own once you start moving. Even @ slow speeds the crankbait is moving quite a bit. Remember a loop knot is very important in the movement of the crank bait..even more so @ slow speeds. I always slow troll crankbait, just think of it as a very active minnow. Slabologist, I know you were asking paper but thought I'd throw in what I do.. I use about 7-8 inches leader from swivel..I've tried longer but seems to get tangled up much easier. The best way is to experiment a little and see what works best for you. Crankbaiting for crappie is extremely easy, just get your set-up tied and go. Sometimes will outcatch minnows 2 to 1, just have to figure what the crappie want that day. I have been long winded on a couple of these posts b/c this set-up works and a lot of folks aren't sure how to do it. Works great in the heat of the summer.. I'll help anyway I can. good luck

Oh yeah, don't use big swivels..small ones like #4 work fine and reduce line drag in the water.

Thanks Averie

I have some 1oz inline sinkers with swivels on both ends and was going to rig some crankbaits up next time I spider rig.

So this technique with cranks is best to be used in the heat of the summer!! If so, why is it not effective in the fall also?

works anytime

Wow!!!! I had to go up-nawth (MI) after I posted the thread, and just got back in, and am amazed at the information posted. Good stuff!! I'd like to hear some more......
Thanks for sharing......

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Originally Posted by Kit Papermouth

Here's what i put together to explain to some that had questions of what pushing is.

Pullin' works better on clear lakes.

I've found pushing works better in Muddy water lakes.
Nice thing about pushing is you can turn the boat quickly and go back through a school.

Pullin' Takes about 400 yards to turn around and go through them again without crossing the lines.

I start at 1.0 mph and if they hit at that speed and set it up .2mph until I'm not getting hits and then back down again.

Bandits work really well, but I had to buy some Rapala #4 Suspending shad raps on days when I have to start and stop to get them to hit.

G>

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Kit, that's a swanky sketch you posted there.........Thanks!!!

I have been using the method averie described for yrs. I do it slightly diff. I have a snap swivel on the main line then have a trailer (2-3ft) tied to main line swivel attach another swivel .weight attaches to first swivel, lure on second. I use 1-2 oz. bass wts. about any rattle trap or shallow running crank will work. I use elec. tm. and move kinda slow, as long as those rod tips are jumpin they are working. I use 12ft wm. poles and they work pretty good.

I read some posts a while back about some folks replacing the treble hooks on crankbaits with a single hook (because the treble hooks tore up the throwbacks' mouths trying to get them out??) Anybody remember the thread(s)?

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Originally Posted by luvjign

I read some posts a while back about some folks replacing the treble hooks on crankbaits with a single hook (because the treble hooks tore up the throwbacks' mouths trying to get them out??) Anybody remember the thread(s)?

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I had asked about it in a thread. I did remove all my forward hooks, even tried a single hook, but I don't catch many crappie on crank baits and felt that I was missing more than before. On one of my Midwest Crappie DVD's the guide replaced all his forward trebles with a red one which is what I have now done. Once again, I don't catch many crappie on crank baits so I can't really report if it's helped or not. I am however going to push the cranks and see how I do.

I am assuming you guys are pushing cranks on pretty much open flats? Seems it would get pretty expensive otherwise. I have several Bandits and differendt lipless cranks I bought with the intention of trying this method but I guess I have been too stubborn to try something new. I will probably do so.

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Originally Posted by SpeckWick

I am assuming you guys are pushing cranks on pretty much open flats? Seems it would get pretty expensive otherwise.

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Yeah, at least that's my intentions. I can handle slow trolling jigs/minnows in the upper arms of our lake, but my main goal is to figure out this crank-pushing deal on down in the main lake where it's timber-free.....and it being the no-live-bait method I'm wanting it to be. I think you're right......it probably would get real expensive - and busy, busy trying to get that $4 cranbait loose from the wood.

Any crankbait will work. Most of mine are out of the bargin bin at walmart and arkie crappie crankbaits. I push cranks with a ounce and half weight and speed from .5 to 1 mph. I catch fish. Few weeks ago i was catch them suspended next to a single weed out in open water. Just running crankbait above or grazing the top of weed. One thing about pushing if you got downscan on front of boat like i do you can see the crankbait under you and set depth without line counter reel

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I do a setup similar to your top one, but I usually put just a jig in the top slot. Guess I am just thinking I got enough hooks with the crank on the bottom already. :) I hadn't really thought about putting to cranks on like that, so I may have to give it a try the next time I am out and doing that.

I great read, lets do it again!

I would like to try this, how long of a leader do you run from the weight. Reading threads looks like some are using Bass Pro trolling 1 oz weights. I need something to rig up with all the rain we have.

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Originally Posted by Potatoe

I would like to try this, how long of a leader do you run from the weight. Reading threads looks like some are using Bass Pro trolling 1 oz weights. I need something to rig up with all the rain we have.

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Tater ... you'll get dozens of different answers from a dozen different people on how much weight to use, what length leader, etc., etc.

Around here, the crank Pushers I know are normally using 2oz trolling weights & 5ft leaders, and generally Push at about 1.8mph ... but, I've done it with less weight, shorter leaders, and no more than 1mph ... and caught fish.

They use line counter reels filled with 30lb braid or 10lb mono, and the leader line is usually 6lb test mono. I use baitcast reels w/thumbars and similar size line/leader riggings. (but, I Push jigs more often than cranks)

Whatever speed your running pushing cranks....you want enough weight to keep your line from laying back over 45 degrees. I run 1.8 mph with a 3 oz weight. I use 10 lb. Mono and no leader. I place the weight 3 ft above the crankbaits. I use trolling weights you can get them at BPS and Grizzly JIG ....or from ScottV on the MS board he makes some nice ones....torpedo shaped with swivel built in.

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I have 6lb test on my 3 poles , so maybe I should start with 1.5 oz

I pushed for the first time this past weekend using 1.5 oz weights. I got up to around 1.8 mph and my line started to come back at an angle a bit. I don’t think the rods I’m using can handle much more weight so I’m gonna slow down some lol


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