Cranks4fun

I just bought this lightly used flat balsa (I think) crankbait. The eyes, red gill slits and the small black dot are glued on and have a clear-coat finish over them. You can feel the edge of those. The eyes are "sparkley" stick-on type. The Diving bill looks like Lexan or some clear plastic (It's NOT circuit board). the bait is flat, in case that is not obvious from the picture. I think it is a custom or limited run (semi-custom/ small shop) bait. Can anyone identify it?

I remember you telling me that before. I overhauled that one like my others (new hooks and an oval split ring up front) and I plan on giving it some test time on the water. I have quite a few Big O's too. The best ones I ever fished were the modern medium size in brown craw (overhauled with better hooks too). I had two and they probably caught me 100 smallmouth before I lost them both within a month.. The great thing about having an old, discontinued bait that really catches is that many of my fishing buddies don't use vintage stuff. It gives me an advantage sometimes when the competitiveness gets heavy! Haha!

Yes, Tom, It says, "Cordell" on one side and "BIG O" on the other. I double checked it myself because I had never seen one with a paint job like that. It is a late '70's or early '80's plastic version I think. I have several like that in various colors.

I just got back from a local "Swap meet" (parking lot flea market) where I bought several old lures. In the picture you'll see a Roger's Big Jim, a Rebel Deep Wee R in natural perch, and then a Cordell Big O in a perch or bluegill color (largest lure). I've never seen this color Big O. Is that color rare? I checked ebay and there were no matches. Have any of you guys ever seen that color and is it of any special value? I just searched again under a different ebay search including words "rare color" and found one. I guess it is rare (uncommon anyway). It might be a fish slayer! It catches fishermen for sure!

Pnw LipRipper, That thumb injury was the result of trying to filet 36 white bass in a hurry. After about the first 10 fish I usually get impatient and start slicing too fast. I told my buddy I'm only bringing 12 home at a time unless he starts cleaning. Everyone likes catching 'em but it's all fun 'till cleaning time! Haha!

I saw that Rattlin killer b2, the deeper diver (10 ft. ?) and it looked cool. It was $5.99 too! I really like that! The balsa ones run $8.99-$9.99 based on where you get them. I'm glad to hear that the square bills are good. I have three of the Baglet Sunny B's (balsa). I actually have a post on here (BassResource) about them. I have only tried fishing with them once for about 20 minutes and I scored a zero. They did look good though. I need to get them wet some more. I have the shallow runners. They have a PRO Sunny B out now with a square bill. It looks cool.

TACKLE REPORT/ REVIEW: Last week I experienced two firsts: 1) I fished in my kayak during a 30-minute-long torrential rain that was so hard I could not see more than about 40 yards and I could not hear my buddy talking 10 ft from me. 2) I fished the NEW Bagley Rattlin Honey B crankbait (plastic version) for the first time! It was killer! I did not keep an accurate count but I'll bet I caught at least 15 LM bass on it in 2 1/2 hours. My friend was ahead of me by about 4 bass. I tied this lure onto an ultralight with 10 Lb PowerPro braid (2 Lb dia.) and I started coming back fast. I passed him and lost count. Caught one 19 incher on it too. My usual default "comeback bait" (wacky-rigged Senko) only drew one bite in the previous hour. That was VERY unusual. I took a firetiger version of this same Bagley bait to Grand Lake in OK a few days later and caught about 3 white bass on it but it was a post-frontal day and the bite was just slow. I have some of the original balsa honey B's, deep and shallow, even one with brass hangers, but I have never done as well with them (though I honestly have not fished them often either). Even though I have only used 2 colors and fished this bait on 2 occasions, I can say this for sure, this little Rattlin' Honey B was THE bait on one occasion and it was as productive as everything else we tried on another day. They consistently run $5.99 online. I am NOT sponsored by Bagley ... but if they want to sponsor me, I'm game! Haha! This brown craw/ chart. color was the real killer!

A buddy and I had a 70-fish Day combined (all LM Bass) recently fishing in kayaks. We both caught fish in excess of 21 inches (5 - 6 1/2 Lb. range) and lots of 3 pounders etc. We were fishing coontail and slop and so there was a lot of hard cranking and lifting. We used everything: frogs, toads (Ribbits), Yum Dingers, Power worms, whopper Ploppers, buzzbaits, and even a few crankbaits and spinnerbaits on the edges. When the day was over we both had sore wrists and elbows and scratched up fingers and thumbs. It took about 48 hours to fully recover from the soreness but it still felt gooood.

I have a Daiwa Fuego 3000H and it is a bit heavier than the LT version as you know, so my comments have limited value. It is a good sturdy reel though. I use it to throw weightless senkos around slop and coontail and the bass often take my lure deep into the thick stuff and it cranks em right back out (using braid). Those Daiwa BG's are all the rage in spinning right now I think but I have not used one yet.

Different reels have different "personalities" (require different settings). The OP said he used a Daiwa type R, I think. I have some Daiwas: a Tatula CT, A old Pro Tournament PT33p, A Tierra, a Zillion, and an older Capricorn. They all cast well but I have to set them differently and the casting distance differs from reel to reel. My Tierra probably casts the furthest but it seems to throw a coil (tries to backlash) when I really wing it out there. My Zillion and my Capricorn almost never backlash. My Tatula hasn't seen enough fishing time to honestly compare, but many reels require "tighter" settings because they are more prone to throw coils or backlash. My older Ambassadeur 5000's will produce backlashes in a heartbeat if I try to throw a bait real hard. I used to have a Revo that would backlash a little if I started casting real hard. I have a Quantum (Energy PT) that you could almost cast without even using your thumb and never have an issue and I can really swing hard for the outfield with it too! Another Energy PT might be different. As others have suggested, line quality makes a difference too. I spooled P-line CXX 10 lb on a reel or two and have had no problems but I have read on here about some people casting that line in heaver Lb. testings (17-20Lb. maybe ??) and having real problems - A lot of thick Fluoro is like that too. Even some long-term pros complain about their baitcasters having "professional overruns" (euphemism for nasty backlashes) at times. I had to really practice with my Ambassadeurs to get them casting right and I learned how to set them and fish slightly heavier baits with them (1/2 oz spinnerbaits etc.). That Daiwa you have might be like a spirited horse. It might need some extra time before you see what it can really do. Don't give up!? Good luck!

Thanks again for taking the time to share your insight and experience with these reels, DVC.

I am cautious about that too, Tim, even though I feel sure there must be something to it for those guys at DVC to use the method. I'm not denying that it could work/ help, but I need to get a little understanding of the mechanics of that before I will be willing to try it. If my brain can wrap around the physics of the technique, I'll probably try it.

For braid, I always use the Palomar and I always double my line back through the hole instead of pushing the loop through it. However, for all you young lip-rippers that love the latest techniques and tactics, I did have this shirtless, well-rounded, Redman-chewin', catfish-snaggin' guy from just over the Arkansas border recently show me a fancy new knot that he uses to catch flatheads in the river. I believe he called it the "Dawg-ain't-gettin-loose" knot. It is too complicated to reproduce in writing but it involved 5 minutes worth of loops, pass throughs, wraps, and spitting. He said, "Now I can't get that wad of braid loose so I figure when a flathead bites it, that dawg ain't gettin' loose either!"

First of all, Thank you guys for taking the time to respond and share your Ambassadeur wisdom, Tim and DVC. Secondly, I did not even think about checking that copper plate under the tension knob. Tim, I did find a little oil in that brake drum area and I cleaned it off last night AFTER I was out at 10:30 PM casting in the front yard (Neighbors must think I'm drinking or doing drugs). I got up this morning and put on a 1/2 Oz War Eagle spinnerbait and it casted fine. It was either the oil or the low weight or both. I will check the plate under the spool tension knob. DVC, You said chuck the brake blocks? That seems like it would make it worse, but hey, maybe you're right. Could you explain how that would improve/ reduce the tendency to backlash to a ABU novice? My brain wants to think (and it doesn't do much of that anymore) that would increase the problem of spool overrun, but I'm sure there is a reason for you guys doing that.

Today I bought two older Swedish made, Abu Ambassadeur "One 5000's" for $15 each and they are in great shape, except that one constantly backlashes. I have lots of baitcasting reels (Shimanos, Daiwas, and Quantums) and they all cast well without backlashing (except for rare backlashes caused by user error), but I have not been able to tame one of these two Abu's. I have read that there are new brake blocks you can get for the centrifugal brakes. That may be the issue, but I cannot tell by looking. These are the older two-pin centrifugal brakes - I hear the make 6-pin brakes now. Any ABU specialists out there? I feel sure I could just cast heavier weights on the one reel, but it is backlashing on a 3/8 oz spinnerbait with 2 blades. That doesn't happen on the other identical reel. I really want to love these reels because they have a great history and they are durable. Any wisdom or advice would be appreciated.

Did you order yours online or buy it from a local dealer?

Yeah, I read that the scupper hole carts can actually cause leaks in some models so that idea is definitely out for me. I am already preparing to build a cart . I have bought nice 10'inch wheels with bearings and good traction. I have seem some awesome homemade carts for cheap on Youtube (Pvc, steel, even milk cart crates). The idea about paddling around first is a good one.

Yeah the seat was a deal maker. The Vibe's have awesome seats. I think I will make an anchor trolley. Lot's of examples on youtube. Thanks for sharing.

I am new to the Kayak scene but I have been reading and talking with some guys. I'm a week away from paying off my brand new 2017 Vibe Sea ghost 130 Kayak. I have a Garmin Striker 4 plus for it and it comes with a rudder system and a kayak paddle. I need a battery for the new Garmin (thinking an AGM battery rated 12 volts 9ah ?), I also think maybe a front Scotty rod holder, and I thought I might try to make anchor trolley and a cheap PVC cart. Is that enough just to get out and fish comfortably? Any opinions? Any suggestions on the cart, anchor trolley, or cheap places to buy this stuff? Thanks in advance!

I just stopped by Dunham Sports and found some old clearance Rapala Crankin Raps. I picked up one of the 5's (I already had three) but I'll go back for more. I have caught bass on the Crankin' Rap 3 Square bill before so I know they work. They had the 3's, 5's, and 10's- about 12 more total. If you have a Dunham's near by, check em out.

Hey, Crankers! I just got back from the Academy on my weekly run and I found a brand new crankbait that has never been available here at our Academy. It is not even on the Academy web site yet. It is a Knockoff of a Mann's Baby 1 minus with a WAY better paint job! Academy has had an H2O Xpress Wakebait for years ( I have several of those) but this is a different bait altogether. I have a picture of both so you can compare along with a 1 Minus and a Baby 1 Minus. The New H20 "Crank SS" is on the lower left corner below the H2o bronze Wakebait. It is a bluegill paint job. This is a Baby 1 Minus knockoff in bluegill. The only thing I don't like about the bait, and it is a very minor issue, is that the split ring in the nose is round now instead of oval like the other H2o's- not sure why they did that.. That is an easy fix though. Correction on the color: It is "Live Pumpkinseed"

Thanks, TOXIC for the reminder. I am going to put some hours in on my Spros in a couple of weeks. I try to fish slowly in cold weather but I can gear it down even more I'm sure. I should add my creek fishing (clear water smallmouth) choice of square bills. It is the CORDELL BIG O in the Brown/ orange crawdad color. I have shared this before here on BR, but that bait has been unbelievable for the last two years. I change the hooks out to triple grips and they catch fish. I have not done as well with other colors but I will try to fish the other colors more this year.

I have 1 spro little john and 2 spro little john md's. I have only fished them one (and MD and the regular) and I did not get a bite. I only tried for about 45 minutes. I have read great reviews on these lures and I love the way they look. I need to get out and run them again. I know flat cranks and cold water often go together (Shad Raps & Flat A's). Have you fished them in water under 50 degrees? I really want to try these Spros again. Domq, We discussed these earlier in 2017. Have you done well on the Arashi Square 3's and 5's. I have some and haven't caught anything yet on them but I have hardly used them. What kind of water conditions have you used them in, if you don't mind me asking. I have the flat 7's too. Got em cheap on sale! Haha!

I use lots of squarebills from April through June and occasionally all the way through October, but when the water gets really warm in July I tend to use deeper diving crankbaits more, like Bandit 200's or Fat Free Shads unless I am creek/ river fishing, FAVORITES? I like them all: Cordell Big O's, Rebel Wee-R's, KVD 1.5's, Lucky Craft RC's, Xcalliburs, Berkley Pitbulls, Luck-E-Strike RC2's, etc. MY MOST PRODUCTIVE squarebills in lakes and ponds, without a doubt, has been the H2O Xpress CRS and CRUL (Academy Store brand). I gravitate toward different colors for differing conditions but I love the H2O CRS in "Live Pumpkinseed" color. We had a three-man kayak tournament once and I literally cast that bait 5 ft. beside one of my competitors (we only do that among close friends to annoy each other) and pulled in two bass while he was dragging soft plastics and getting zeros. I love squarebills. By the way, it is absolutely NOT true that you have to bang them into structure or bottom to catch fish. I use that method when that is what the bass want, but I catch just as many straight cranking as I do rock and tree banging, but it differs from day to day.

Thanks, Bluebasser. I wish I could find a picture of these online to see what the color options are and the present value on them is.