Shallow River cranking

[flyfisher]

SPRO rkcrawler for me tha mjority of the time.  I love to crank shallow rocky rivers and while i like rapala, SK etc...they don't last banging into the rocks like i throw but the SPRO last a little longer.  

[Blue Raider Bob]

On 12/10/2022 at 11:14 AM, flyfisher said:

SPRO rkcrawler for me tha mjority of the time.  I love to crank shallow rocky rivers and while i like rapala, SK etc...they don't last banging into the rocks like i throw but the SPRO last a little longer.  

I threw the Rock Crawler yesterday and was surprised than I didn't get a bite. It is a go to for me when I'm cranking.

On 12/7/2022 at 7:16 PM, jitterbug127 said:

Funny you post this. I bought a black fury in black and orange and Avila with a gold blade mepps 3 today. Your exactly right about them being forgotten. I surely did forget about them. 

I keep one spinning rod tired with a #3 Mepps Dressed Aglia at all times. Sometimes it won't get a sniff but more times than not it draws strikes. Not just from Bass but almost everything that swims. If you drop down in size to a #2 Aglia then the Bluegill won't leave you alone! My biggest issue with it is to get it to fish deep you really have to slow down the retrieve but when that happens it is a hang up machine.

[Dogface]

On 12/7/2022 at 7:57 PM, Kirt Howe said:

It may not qualify as "cranking", but a very overlooked shallow river bait is a good old fashioned in- line spinner. Good examples are small rooster tails, and Swiss Swings and Shyster Spinners.  The rooster tails and Shyster spinners have the advantage of being able to be fished deep also. depending on size. The Swiss Swings are not as productive (and are a pain in the A$$) to fish deep. I really like the Swiss Swing (or the almost identical Swedish Swing. And don't forget the classic Mepps spinners. For some reason these spinners have become pretty much a "forgotten" lure, but they are still killers in small streams and shallow rivers.

 

Yep! And don't forget the Beetle Spin and Twister Tail on a jighead.  

On 12/5/2022 at 1:50 PM, Blue Raider Bob said:

My rivers are a bit deeper but DT4 and 6 have worked for me. Also a medium depth Rock Crawler, and Rebel Crawfish shallow runner.

 

The Rebel Crawfish is one of my go-to's for fishing the Susquehanna. There are days when I never tie on another lure. 

[07Rapala]

I'm a bit of an unfrozen caveman fisherman, but I've always had great luck with the "Original Floating" Rapala minnows in shallow streams and rivers. Size #9 always seemed the best to me.

[drakesndrum]

On 12/10/2022 at 12:14 PM, flyfisher said:

SPRO rkcrawler for me tha mjority of the time.  I love to crank shallow rocky rivers and while i like rapala, SK etc...they don't last banging into the rocks like i throw but the SPRO last a little longer.  

Spro RKCrawler for me as well, they cast a long ways and don't snag like some others do.  I throw true square-bills in shallower water, KVD 1.5s, LC 1.5, Rapala Roccos, etc.  Deeper (8'+) water calls for the Spro.

[Munkin]

River SM I have never found a crankbait better than the Bandit. Craw is the best color but shad works very well in size 100 and 200. RC 1.5, Manns Baby 1-, Rebel Wee/Deep Wee R, and Rapala DT6 are the other baits in my top 5 that are easily found. 

 

Allen

[Jeff Zurawski]

I just started fooling with wakebaits during late Summer/early Fall last year on the advice of a buddy who fishes treble hook baits more than anything.  I like the Yozuri 3DS Series Wakebait.  Caught some fish first time testing it -- burning it through shallow rocks in pretty swift water during bright sunny day with low, clear water.  It runs about a foot and half down max and works well at high speed when it has an occasional erratic, but subtle sort of kickout. 

[SWVA]

I have caught more smallmouth on Bandit 200s in Rootbeer color, here in our shallow rivers, than any other crankbait.

 

Rapala F7/9 and Rebel craws were the plugs of my youth and I still use them at times.

[roadwarrior]

11 hours ago, SWVA said:

I have caught more smallmouth on Bandit 200s in Rootbeer color, here in our shallow rivers, than any other crankbait.

 

Good choice!

[SWVA]

I might pick up a couple rkcrawlers to throw this year.  Only issue is here, I’m usually wading and a lot of places can’t go retrieve the lures when they get snagged bad and can’t pull off.

 

Good looking crank though.

Wow, added to above post, was just looking at Bandits…they have went up as well.  I think I bought about 50 on sale a few years ago at $3.99 a piece.  Guess I shouldn’t have given so many away!

[r83srock]

I throw sk 2.5 and storm arashi flat sides.

[bowhunter63]

Rebel Crawdad and a Shad Rap 

[TnRiver46]

10 hours ago, SWVA said:

I might pick up a couple rkcrawlers to throw this year.  Only issue is here, I’m usually wading and a lot of places can’t go retrieve the lures when they get snagged bad and can’t pull off.

 

Good looking crank though.

Wow, added to above post, was just looking at Bandits…they have went up as well.  I think I bought about 50 on sale a few years ago at $3.99 a piece.  Guess I shouldn’t have given so many away!

The rock crawler goes down deep, smallies love it. I’ve only gotten them stuck with no return while trolling , I can usually pop free casting them. They’ll go 8+ feet casting and well over 10 trolling 

[Huckfinn38]

DT4, DT6, OG Rocco (loving this bait), money badger size 5 or smaller, and 6th Sense Curve 55. Nothing wrong with the KVD 1.5. Also could get a couple Strike King 3 (non xd)

[Standard]

I picked up some Strike King Hybrid Hunters, both the regular and Jr versions last season and had really good luck with them.  You can run them almost like a wake bait, or crank a bit faster and get them down to 5-6 feet.  Smallies around here love loud rattle they have as well.