I just need to vent some frustration...

Work and family usually allow a 2-hr fishing window for me a couple times a week--which usually results in beating the banks on local ponds or lakes. Needless to say when the temp reaches 95 in the early evenings, I'll start practicing with different techniques because the bites become few and far between.

Over the last 2 years (including last night's outing), the biggest fish I've caught on crankbaits (shallow) have been catfish. Last year, I caught a 20" channel on Strike King 4S (not to mention some ginormous crappies) and last night 18" channel on Lucky Craft Rick Clunn 2.5. These were different bodies of water and I've caught good bass 15-20" range numerous times before on soft plastics, buzz/spinnerbaits, etc.

I know it's tough in the heat of the summer, especially in smaller bodies of water but come on? 10-12" dinks and catfish? Is this the norm for cranking and should be expected?

No and no.

The lakes you are fishing definitely have a healthy catfish population. 

At least you are catching a few fish on your cranks from the bank.

Could always try a piece of hot dog and go to town on the channels.

in one of the last bassmaster magazines they had a pic of kvd throwing back a 30lb catfish he caught on a lipless crankbait

in one of the last bassmaster magazines they had a pic of kvd throwing back a 30lb catfish he caught on a lipless crankbait

Bet you he just about crapped when he hooked into that ...until he saw what it was.

I have never caught a catfish while cranking.  I have seen my friend do it about 5 times in 3 years.

Revo, I fell your pain, I am in NW Arkansas and we're getting the 100 degree temps also.  I have had some luck going out a couple of hours before dawn and fishing jigs, once the sun gets up the fishing gets tough. 

It's hell getting crankbait hooks out of catfish isn't it?

I fish in the mornings now, water is about 85. It hits 90 by nine. Water temp is 95 by noon and lake is glass.

Been catching a few large crappie on an old red Big-O crank.

Catch any mussels yet? I caught one this morning that closed on a crawdad crankbait.

Ive caught many cats cranking. the initial excitement turns into a huge let down...

I've done the same thing once with a Rapala DT 3 and foul hooked the catfish and yeah it was a let down when it came up

I once caught a small channel cat on a standard size x-rap, not the little ones.

It was extremely annoying trying to get the trebles out of that catfish's mouth...

When targeting bass, the only times I have ever gotten excited when I caught something else were when I caught my first and only pickerel and whenever I catch crappie because if they are hitting stuff that size, you know they are going to be good hehe.

Either way, I feel your pain.

Carlos

went out today and look what my buddy caught on a crank...HUGE

Then there is always the black drum who picks up your plastic worm you're crawling in the heat of the day.....