Let’s say, I think that they’re biting crankbaits, or at least I want them to bite crankbaits…

How many varieties of crank baits would be reasonable to try?

Today I fished Fat free guppy, in 3 colors, fat free fingerling, kvd 1.5, bandit 100, wiggle wart, 2 traps, and a kvd 1.0. I lost them all at the river. Pretty much all my crankbaits. I do have more traps and 2 more 1/4oz squarebills.

I caught fish on the kvd 1.5 and fat free guppies. The others didn’t produce anything.

It got me to thinking, in the past I have tried only 1-2 crankbaits and pretty much decided the bite was on or off for crankbaits. But perhaps I need to try a larger variety of types and a few different color families before saying it’s a no crankbait day.

What is everyone’s progression on deciding what, if any, crankbaits are the days producers?

When I’m hitting the ponds off the bank I’ll usually “test the waters” with a ‘trap at different speeds, then toss a squarebill. Color-wise I usually go with something natural (shad/bluegill/etc) based on forage.

If I am not getting any hits or followers, I’ll toss a Texas rig out there and see if they’re on a slower bite.

Dang man, you lost 10 cranks!? I'm still figuring out my crank game, but sure love when squarebills are going. I had some good days early season on them and they hooked me. I fish jigs and bottom contact a ton, but am gonna go on run of moving baits and other stuff to mix it up. I'm pretty eager to let it rip!

@Bazoo "Let’s say, I think that they’re biting crankbaits, or at least I want them to bite crankbaits…"

What you want and what you think is the wrong approach IMO. Listen to the fish, they will tell you. If you listen.

I'm not so big on changing colors when using cranks, most of mine are shad or bluegill colors, some with shiny sides, some not. I base that part on how bright the sky is and the water clarity.

When I'm trying to determine which ones to use I base it on depth and change baits accordingly as I work my way through the column.

Early in the morning, especially this time of year, if you can find one, Mann's Baby 1 Minus and Cabela's Grave Digger. Both, from the bank, in shallow water, produce -- especially in ponds.

Good Fishing

32 minutes ago, GreenTrout said:

Early in the morning, especially this time of year, if you can find one, Mann's Baby 1 Minus and Cabela's Grave Digger. Both, from the bank, in shallow water, produce -- especially in ponds.

Good Fishing

I used to love throwing a Baby 1 Minus. I always caught them on chartreuse with a red spot on the belly and white.

When I'm fishing water that has a lot of vegetation in it I will stick to wakebaits until I get a feel for the depth and the thickness. If I think I can get a medium diver through, then I'll change baits. I hardly ever us a deep diving crankbait any more.

I don’t throw cranks of any kind that much down here as I feel there’s always something better.

So my opinion could be all wrong here.

Since color choice is always my last consideration in choosing a bait of any kind, changing colors without changing depth, size, action or location first is a waste of time.

But that’s me

Mike

I choose cranks based on depth , cover...and past expierence. If one or two do not work I will do something else.

My fishing partner uses moving baits all the time while I can't cast as much I'll drag/hop a worm. If he's catching fish on crankbaits I'll use one too.

Much of the time, if fish are hitting moving baits at all, they will hit other moving baits. A crankbait, vibrating jig, spinnerbait and cover similar territory and depending on the cover you’re in one might be better than the others. If you’re catching a few fish but not like you’d expect, then a change in color or a change in specific bait can make a difference. I use this same logic for crankbaits as well as all the moving baits. Like MikeL said, I’ll vary the retrieve or location in the water column first before I change baits. Heck, you already have it tied it, so fish it’s different way for a bit.

13 hours ago, Bazoo said:

It got me to thinking, in the past I have tried only 1-2 crankbaits and pretty much decided the bite was on or off for crankbaits.

That’s pretty much the deal for me. You throw one or two cranks reasonably chosen for the conditions (depth, color, etc.) and give them a fair shot in the rotation. If it doesn’t happen in the first 30-60 minutes, it’s probably not happening. I like to cycle through options rather quickly, unless the trip is geared with some specific goal in mind.

I own hundreds of crankbaits, and still buying more. I usually only throw one or two of whatever my latest favorite is. If I'm getting bit on a crankbait, and the bite stops, I will change colors to see if I can catch a few more bass before moving to a new location.

Size and depth of the crankbait will be determined by the depth of the water, size of baitfish in the area, and type of structure or cover. I usually start with a smaller size and if I'm getting bit, will try a few casts with a larger bait to try and get bigger bass to bite. This has worked, but most of the time the smaller bass are aggressive and will hit the bigger baits too. The bigger baits cast further, so I do prefer to throw them if I can get the bites.

If I'm desperate enough, I will throw my favorite old bagleys balsa cranks. When I lose one of those I swear never again, and a T rig gets tied on.

I have so much confidence in a crankbait, that is what I catch them on 75% on the time. I have one crank that catches most of the fish, I have a bunch of colors but catch most of 2 colors. If I don't catch them the first hour, I will go to a worm. If you are losing that many cranks. You need a crankbait retriever I actually have 3. I am still using the same crankbait that I stated using in January!!! I might add that I am a shallow water fisherman.

I lost all those at the river, from shore. I’m not sure that a crankbait retriever would work for me there. I’ve thouggg by about it though, but haven’t tried it yet.

You should know within 10-15 minutes of throwing a crank. if they want it or not. It doesn’t matter what size or color you throw. Now they might be on a crank bite on a different part of the lake. So I wouldn’t totally put it up for the day for good just yet. Go to the next spot and try it for 10-15 minutes and than try a different presentation.

I love fishing crank baits but, sometimes it is not what they want.

There is a difference between what the fish are actually eating and what you want them to eat.

21 hours ago, Bazoo said:

I lost all those at the river, from shore.

I dont even bother with crankbaits shore fishing a river.

I can't even remember the last time i fished a crankbait 😅 Don't have to worry about which one to use if you don't use any of them.

I fish crankbaits a lot. I’ll usually throw 2 different ones and if I don’t get bit in a hour or so, I’ll slow down and throw a jig or a worm.

Instead of trying to figure out what crankbait first determine if they are active. This is my approach to throw something moving to see if I get bit or followers. This time of the year 75% of the time they want something moving slow on the bottom. If they are hitting moving baits just make adjustments until you find the one they want today. Crankbaits go in cycles for me for some reason. One year I will catch 100's and the next 5 all year. Colors I keep it simple shad, crayfish, and something chartreuse.

Allen