quick question. ive heard numerous times of how baits have a "hunting", "seeking" or "searching" action, like crankbaits, and the one i hear of the most, rage 'condas. im clueless. :-?

Crankbaits in general, Rat-L-Trap type lures in particular.

If you are asking about the Rage Tail Anaconda, I highly

recommend the bait, but not as a "search" lure.

8-)

Search baits: any fast moving lure/techniques used in searching for reactions strike from aggressive bass.

Lipless cranks like the strike king red eye, or a spinner bait are often used quite successfully when searching for fish.

If I'm reading his post right, I think what he's after is what is referred to as 'hunting", a trait exhibited by some crankbaits as opposed to what baits to use for 'searching' or covering water.

A crankbait that 'hunts' is one that is "on the edge" as far as tuning goes. Instead of running in a really nice straight line and rhythm (like a Rat-L-Trap does), a crankbait that hunts starts to run wide and a little off center. Then, just before blowing out completely it rights itself, straightens out briefly and then will frequently repeat the behavior to the other side, always trying to 'hunt' to find center. This erratic action can be a trigger for strikes. Some of the original hunting type baits were things such as Mudbugs and several versions of Bagley baits. The wood baits seem to exhibit this action more so than other material types. I also have some custom D Baits that have the right action. Thing is it is largely unpredictable. You can buy 10 of the same bait off the shelf and only 1 or 2 might have that 'hunting' action.

Once you see it in a crankbait in the water, you'll always recognize it. It's one of those things that is hard to describe, but visually pretty easy to recognize.

-T9

team9nine hit it.

"hunters" are rare but, seem to be more prevalent in the older wooden baits.

the novice may think they are defective but, they are highly prized by the dedicated cranker.

Some of the original hunting type baits were things such as Mudbugs and several versions of Bagley baits.

Oops   they were supposed to do that, time to start digging the old mobile home tackle box.

I think a spinner-bait would fall into those categories. I always tell people this, seek them out with a spinner-bait, then pick off the less aggressive fish with a worm.

If I'm reading his post right, I think what he's after is what is referred to as 'hunting", a trait exhibited by some crankbaits as opposed to what baits to use for 'searching' or covering water.

A crankbait that 'hunts' is one that is "on the edge" as far as tuning goes. Instead of running in a really nice straight line and rhythm (like a Rat-L-Trap does), a crankbait that hunts starts to run wide and a little off center. Then, just before blowing out completely it rights itself, straightens out briefly and then will frequently repeat the behavior to the other side, always trying to 'hunt' to find center. This erratic action can be a trigger for strikes. Some of the original hunting type baits were things such as Mudbugs and several versions of Bagley baits. The wood baits seem to exhibit this action more so than other material types. I also have some custom D Baits that have the right action. Thing is it is largely unpredictable. You can buy 10 of the same bait off the shelf and only 1 or 2 might have that 'hunting' action.

Once you see it in a crankbait in the water, you'll always recognize it. It's one of those things that is hard to describe, but visually pretty easy to recognize.

-T9

bingo. thats all i wanted to know. thanks t9.

Crankbaits in general, Rat-L-Trap type lures in particular.

If you are asking about the Rage Tail Anaconda, I highly

recommend the bait, but not as a "search" lure.

8-)

Kent, why not a search bait? All you are doing is covering water. You can rig weightless and work on top in swallow water. T-Rig pegged oe unpegged with a weight for a predetermined depth. As long as you are covering water this will define an Anaconda as a search bait IMHO.