I fish a very clear pond that has a ton of minnows, sunfish and blue gill. Their are very nice sized bass in it. I am trying to get some crank baits to throw. I am not sure i know what what kind to look for. I have patrolled the articles and have a few ideas but wanted to pick others brains. I am a shore fisher man so it will probably have to be lipless or small lipped. Finally what is everyone though on using a swivel? does it take away from fishing? i know its easy to switch baits but if its better to not use it i will learn to tie more knots and forget them.

Crank Baits from shore you really can't go wrong with a Mann's -1 and wakers. some square bill cranks would be good to.

I prefer cross lock snaps instead of a swivel.  

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0042807114447a.shtml

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0000044110226a.shtml

They allow for quick, easy changes, and more importantly they don't mess with the action.

If I know I'm only going to be throwing one or two cranks, I'll just tie directly.

Great i will look for these items and see what i can get...

Get yourself some floating rapala minnows, rattlin' raps, and some DT4s.

For crankbaits that already have a split ring, you will not need the use of a snap or a loop knot.  Just tie your knot to the split ring.

For crankbaits that have no snap or split ring, you could add a duo-lock snap or use the Rapala loop knot.  There is no need for a swivel or easy way to directly add a swivel to crankbaits.

It would behoove you to learn the Rapala Loop knot.  That way, if you plum run out of the snaps or split rings, you can still fish with your crankbaits that don't have either.

Floating minnows that I have bought in the past have never come with a split ring or snap. I think the DT series crankbaits come with split rings, but don't hold me to that.

What line do you plan to use?

From a couple of days ago:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1251141461

8-)

Great advice and thanks for the Crank Bait Link RW. I am very excited to satisfy the bait monkey soon... Running out of lures and soft plastics gotta rebuild the tackle box

Right now it has some mono on it but i am thinking i should change that due to the extremely clear water i am fishing what do you think?

GET A RAT L TRAP PLEASE!!!! haha and swivel isnt the best idea unless ur not good at knots

Right now it has some mono on it but i am thinking i should change that due to the extremely clear water i am fishing what do you think?

Personally, I think you could spend the $$ on baits rather than line. I know all about the hype over fluoro lines and such but, I've been using mono in very clear water for a very long time. Never had a fish pop up beside the boat and offer his opinion. I do use fluoro line in certain applications but mono is still my mainstay (and I keep my cell phone turned OFF).    

Right now it has some mono on it but i am thinking i should change that due to the extremely clear water i am fishing what do you think?

If your fishing a crankbait it's not really gonna matter all that much.

Lucky Craft RC 2.5, Strike King series 2, and of course Bill Lewis Rat-L Trap Silver/blue back

Some VERY productive shallow crankbaits that won't break the bank are:

Bomber Square A

Norman Mad N

Strike King Series 1 & 1XS

Rapala Shallow Shad Rap  

Falcon

If your going to use a snap, make sure it made with rounded bends,

for better lure action. get rid of the o-ring. (less hardware)

Spro "Little John" shallow runner, is a great crankbait, for small

lakes & ponds.

GOOD LUCK!!

BB

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts on my question. Went out today and decided since all i had left was the Rattletrap (seriously gotta go to the store) on about my 5th cast of the day i got my only fish (was only out about an hour) it was a little 1+ LMB but still only the second one i caught and a big thanks to King Bass, and Use only STERN for urging to me to please use it cause i figured it would be to big for the depth i was working and i would have to buy smaller ones for the pond i fish.

I know i am gonna post the story in Fishing Outting but hopefully it will stay here since i was thanking the guys for their advice but this is the fish next to my name on the left her

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