Crankbaits

When fish are not feeding one reliable lure to entice the bite is the ever popular crankbait.  Crankbaits are usually more effective when used in water temperatures above 55 degrees fahrenheit but, when retrieved very slowly can also be deadly in lower temperatures.  Because the usual method of using crankbaits is the casting method and their retrieve is usually a fast one, they are an ideal lure to use for covering water quickly.

Crankbaits are effective in water of almost any clarity.  Fish can even detect a crankbait's wobble in very muddy water by using their lateral line.  Anglers like to use the tight wiggle type of crankbaits in low clarity water as opposed to those with a loose wobble.  Some crankbaits also include an internal rattling system to help the fish locate the bait.

Having the exposed hooks that crankbaits do they are not advised for fishing in dense vegetation or similar heavy cover, however they are not as prone to snagging as many people believe.  Most crankbaits have a lip that helps to protect the lure while running into some structure.  The lip helps to deflect the lure off rocks, logs and other such obstacles.  This is a an asset to the angler as the noise and vibration created by such occurances also help to attract fish.


A huge advantage to avoiding the snagging in vegetation is the ability to select the correct lure for the running depth the situation creates.  For example, if there is an area you would like to fish that has weeds topping out at 8 feet then you should select a crankbait that runs at a depth of 8 feet.  By doing this the lure will run across the top of the weeds, maybe occasionally making contact with the tips of the vegetation, but it will not dive deep into the weeds.  Another feature to consider when trying to avoid snagging is the angle of the lip.  A straight lip is less prone to be hung up as it runs nose down thus minimizing the chance of the hooks making contact with troublesome cover.

Lip design is a very important aspect of the lure as it determines the running depth of the crankbait.  Usually the larger the lip and the straighter the angle of the lip, the deeper the lure will dive.  The shape and angle of the lip also adds to the lure's action.  The wider the lip the more the lure will wobble while the greater the angle of the lip the more roll it produces.


Body material and body shape are the other two aspects that determine the work ethic of a crankbait.  Hard plastic lures are much more durable and best for casting but foam plastic or wooden lures are more responsive in the water, especially useful on a slow retrieve.  The most responsive crankbaits of them all are those manufactured from balsa but they also tend to be the most expensive on the market.  With regard to body shape, it is the lure's stability that is mainly affected by this aspect.  Generally, the thinner the body the tighter and faster the wobble.  That said, a thin bodied lure will run as true as one with a larger body.


Overall, crankbaits are a huge favorite of thousands of anglers and are a proven addition to the tackle box.  Just ask Kevin VanDam, he has won a multitude of tournaments by relying on his crankbaits and his uncanny ability to use them to their maximum potential.

[Images: Top: Rapala Crankin' Rap; Middle: Storm Original Thinfin; Bottom: Rapala DT Custom Ink Colors by Mike Iaconelli.  All images courtesy of www.rapala.com]