Thread: Crankin’ ?

Originally Posted by Robdogg

What I can tell you is that it’s very similar to pulling jigs. You have to know how deep your lure is running at a particular speed and length of line out. Just like jigs, trial and error. Also line diameter will affect how deep your crank will run. Bandit 300’s and Arkie 350’s maximum depth is around 13’-13.5’ (That’s on #8, 110 feet back at about 2 mph.) You may get it a little deeper with an even smaller line but you would be risking losing your lures to untargeted species. So if you want them to run deeper you will have to use trolling weights to get them down there. There are plenty of lure charts out there to help. I think you are on the right track, now you just need to spend lots of time on the water honing your craft.
Anybody has anything to add or correct please do so, as I surely don’t claim to be a goto guy with crappie. I just love to chase them.

P.S. - if you don’t have line counter reels, then get you some. They make getting everything right so much easier.


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depth charts are just general guidelines and are not gospel, you must learn deprh control by trial and error not by reading a chart, i can bump a 16’ hump with a bandit 300, and in reality there are very few times atleast around here when you need to go deeper, thermoclines will be setting up higher and higher in the column, learning to run a bait at a certain depth only comes through practice

Can't replace time on the water pulling cranks. Good luck Rob

Time on the water. Here here!!!!


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Been catching some on high rock. Look at the depth of the bait. If bait is near top pull about 5 foot deep. Most of the bait was shallow yesterday and we caught most on 200 bandits about 5 down. Did catch a slab on a deep diving redfin fishing for stripers. Pic on N.C. site.

We went Friday afternoon and pulled a few. 2 lines were running about 4-6' down and 2 lines around 10' down. The only crappie I caught was on the shallower runners and he was a shorty. Other three fish were small bass and they weren't prejudice on deep or shallow. I ran speeds around 1.2-1.6. Every fish was caught b/w 15-25 FOW.

All replies are valid. Speeds, depths etc will very. I have been pulling some square bills shallow runners. The square bills have a different rattle and vibration that can trigger bites when the fish are wise to the standard baits. Always try mixing it up. Take swallow runners and put weights above them. This will allow you to get baits to the fish with a different look. A non bill rattle trap works well with a weight attached.

Originally Posted by capps cousin

All replies are valid. Speeds, depths etc will very. I have been pulling some square bills shallow runners. The square bills have a different rattle and vibration that can trigger bites when the fish are wise to the standard baits. Always try mixing it up. Take swallow runners and put weights above them. This will allow you to get baits to the fish with a different look. A non bill rattle trap works well with a weight attached.

How much weight would be a good start? Thanks


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The smallest you can get by with but probably you will end up with 3/4 oz or 1 oz. depends on how deep you want the bait. Big bill baits will go 16 or so on their own. Small bill baits will need some help to get down 15-20 range. It takes time to get it figured out but I started by getting in like 15 feet of water and added weight or changed speeds til the bait hit the bottom. There are times when you can let out line and fish straight down with a crank and weight so you will know your depth by the amount of line. I agree with the guys who replied just gotta put your time in. Sometimes a day of research and development will pay off in the long run.