Hello,

The section of river I fish has a lot of rocks. 

I am wondering if there's anything appreciably different about the Spro Rock Crawler (and any others that may be dedicated to rock fishing) and other, regular crankbaits?  I lose a lot of them, so if I'm going to spend the coin it needs to be worth it.

Is it a gimmick?

Thank you,

Josh

i think you might be reading a little too much into the name....  i don't think it's marketed as anything special for rocks specifically.  also, i don't think all rocks are created equal, river rock typically a little more spread out and rounded vs. stacked and jagged like rip rap or older lake rocks.

Just now, buzzed bait said:

i think you might be reading a little too much into the name....  i don't think it's marketed as anything special for rocks specifically.  also, i don't think all rocks are created equal, river rock typically a little more spread out and rounded vs. stacked and jagged like rip rap or older lake rocks.

Hello,

I caught a Fisherman's Handbook with Wade Middleton and Spro's Rock Crawler designer.  I was watching it because it was late winter/early spring strategies, but they were definitely selling it as a specialized rock lure.

Here's the episode:

 

It looks to me like they're promoting it as a specialized rock lure, so I'm wondering if there's really any real difference that makes it perform better on rocks.

Regards,

Josh

well unfortunately my work settings won't allow me to watch the video, but i'd have to say no.  i mean it has no "unique" characteristics that would say it would perform better in rock over another crankbait of the same build and diving depth.  the bill is what's doing the deflecting and it looks like the same bill as is on my spro little john DD.  i'd chalk it up to marketing hype, but wouldn't dismiss the bait or anything.  I'm just saying i don't believe you'd find it to be much different....  i may be wrong.

It's called a Rock Crawler because it's designed to be fished around and through rock, mainly since it's designed to emulate a crawfish (like a Wiggle Wart). It doesn't do anything special to actually come through those rocks though, just where they want you to fish them. 

I fish a shallow rocky river for smallmouth, the way I decide what to throw is depth. If you are fishing 6' depth on average, find a bait that rund between 6' to 8', and remember, you can take a bait that maybe runs a little too deep and use heavy line to keep it higher in the water. Most square bills will work in rock, and even though balsa cranks take a beating, the high floatation allows the m to float out when you hit a spot that grabs the crank and brings it to a grinding halt. You'd be amazed at how effective a DT-6 is around rocks in the 4' 7' zone.

 

EDIT: I almost forgot, a Rapala DT Thug, I've been impressed with them in rock, 5' to 7' is the zone fo4 12# Big Game line with a DT Thug.

Thank you, gents.

I lost my most effective smallie lure out there -- a Rapala square bill painted like a chartreuse crawdad with red belly.

It was high floatation and did really well. When I replace it I want to make sure of similar characteristics, better if I can get it.

Thanks again!

Josh