I've never been much of a hardbait fisherman and would like to expand my fishing arsenal.. What are some decent crankbaits or jerkbairs i can throw. I will probably stop by Dicks Sporting Goods after work today. Also, will it be a problem if i throw it on 12lb fluoro? One last thing, whats the best way to work them.. In open water? Cadences? Thank you !

Nick

That's a simple question. Really too simple to give a decent answer to. First - Crankbaits & jerk baits = two different bait styles. You'd use them for different situations. Second - How deep? Different styles and brands of cranks work best at varying depths, i.e. you wouldn't fish a deeper diver in square bill territory and visa versa. You need to define how deep you want to fish. Third - Water clarity - I like to have a couple of feet or so when I'm fishing jerk baits - crank baits it doesn't matter so much to me. Fourth - other conditions that may apply, i.e. weedy or not, rocky or not, timber or brush?

I don't think it is just me, but with a better idea of your particular fishing parameters, you'll get a better, more refined answer.

That's a simple question. Really too simplem to give a decent answer to. First - Crankbaits & jerk baits = two different bait styles. You'd use them for different situations. Second - How deep? Different styles and brands of cranks work best at varying depths, i.e. you wouldn't fish a deeper diver in square bill territory and visa versa. You need to define how deep you want to fish. Third - Water clarity - I like to have a couple of feet or so when I'm fishing jerk baits - crank baits it doesn't matter so much to me. Fourth - other conditions that may apply, i.e. weedy or not, rocky or not, timber or brush?

I don't think it is just me, but with a better idea of your particular fishing parameters, you'll get a better, more refined answer.

X2

Start with a Norman Fat Boy (Redear) for a shallow presentation.

KVD 3.5 a little deeper.

Red Eyed Shad (lipless) 5'-10'

DD22 deep

Bomber Model A, Bandit 100, 200, and 300, Rapala DT, Excalibur Fat Free Series.

I won't get into recommending particular baits, but I will address the other parts of your post. Most diving depths of cranks that the manuf. lists are determined with 10lb. test mono, or an equal diameter line. Using 12lb. would likely result in your bait running a little shallower.

There are a number of ways you can retrieve cranks. Most of them require that you get the bait down to it's maximum depth first. A steady constant speed retrieve can be productive at times, however the more the bait changes direction, the more strikes it will attract. Stop and go, or pausing for short periods or just hesitating on occasion while reeling is one way as is speeding it up and slowing it down. Letting the bait bounce off the bottom or an obstruction is another. Pumping the rod from around the 9:00 position to 11:00 and then reeling in the slack as you drop it back down is a good way to work a deep diver. Something as simple of moving your rod from left to right and back can also increase the baits ability to draw strikes.

These baits really shine when bounced off of something, so look for structure and cover where you can do just that.

I've been using some crank baits I got off www.themangler.com and they are amazing. For $2 a piece you can't beat them.

Looks like a waste of $2 to me. The major retailers, including our sponsors, BPS and Cabelas,

always have junk in their sales bin. Occasionally there is something worth buying, but not often.

Your money is spent more wisely purchasing a few lures "highly recommended" by members you

trust.

Bandit, Bomber, and Norman all build great cranks at reasonable prices. Colors will vary a little by region and model will vary by body of water. 12lb will work just fine for most situations. I like a stop and go retrieve, banging them off cover, or slowly crawling them along the bottom with an occasional pause.